The latest rumors surrounding Marvel’s new film, Captain Marvel, are exciting, to say the least with a long list of talented female directors being thrown around.
Having a female director in position for the female superhero movie would be a first for Marvel. Even though Patty Jenkins almost led Thor: The Dark World she later stepped down from the film and was replaced by Alan Taylor.
Over recent years the comic company has also begun to increase their number of female superheroes, an important step and one that has been needed for a long time.
‘Captain Marvel,’ set to be released in 2019, follows female superhero Carol Danvers, United States Air Force member whose human genes are fused with those of an alien race.
There have already been two extremely talented female screenwriters working on the script, Meg LeFauve who is recognized for Pixar’s Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, and Nicole Perlman whose credits include co-writing Guardians of the Galaxy.
Having a female director at the helm for a Marvel film would be a huge step, with just 6.4% of features being directed by women this is certainly a move in the right direction and something that industry experts are also calling for, including Destri Martino, founder of The Director List, an online database of female filmmakers:
“I don’t think there’s any rhyme or reason as to who can direct blockbusters. We see men come from so many backgrounds and go on to direct blockbusters,” said Martino.
Even though there have been several shortlists and rumors of who the director may be there is yet to be confirmation from Marvel, it is predicted that the announcement will be made before 2016 is over.
The list has, however, recently been cut down to just three possible directors:
Lesli Linka Glatter
More noted for her directing work in the television world, where women are more regularly represented in comparison to men. Her credits include Homeland, a spy thriller that stars Claire Danes and episodes of The Newsroom, True Blood, Mad Men and ER. Glatter was nominated for outstanding director in a drama series at September’s Emmy Awards, however, was pipped to the post by Miguel Sapochnik for Game of Thrones.
Lorene Scafaria
Scafaria’s work is noticeably different to the other two directors that Marvel are looking at, having been noticed for her writing skills including Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, starring Steve Carrell and Kiera Knightly (which she also directed). Her latest work was released just earlier this year in the form of The Meddler, released by Sony Pictures.
Niki Caro
Caro broke into the industry in 2002 with an Oscar-nominated generational drama Whale Rider, which followed a young woman breaking through a male-focused culture. She has also directed a rape drama, North County that she was noted for within the industry. Her directing credits also include McFarland, USA, and The Zookeeper’s Wife.
Out of the race but in our heart and mind is Reed Morano
Reed Morano, who just made her feature film debut with Meadowland, is worthy of being considered to direct Marvel’s first female-led film – Captain Marvel and we are still rooting for her. Who knows? Nothing has been confirmed yet.
What are your thoughts on the possible female directors for the newest Marvel film?
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