Marvel Studios’Black Widowmovieis one step closer to happening, as the film has now set a director.THRreports and we at Collider can confirm that after meeting with over 70 potential filmmakers,Cate Shortlandhas signed on to direct the standalone superhero pic that will starScarlett Johansson. Marvel had no comment.
Shortland is an Australian director best known for features likeLoreandBerlin Syndrome, butBlack Widowmarks her biggest project to date by far. Of course that’s pretty much the Marvel way.Shane Blackhad only directed one movie,Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, before helmingIron Man 3, andThor: The Dark WorlddirectorAlan Taylormade his feature debut on that sequel after directing standout episodes of television.
Finding a female filmmaker forBlack Widowhas been a priority for Marvel, although THR reports that at one point the search stalled and they looked at male directors. Last month the director hunt narrowed withAmma Asante(Belle) andMaggie Betts(Novitiate) arising as the finalists alongside Shortland, whileInglourious BasterdsbreakoutMelanie LaurentandBoys Don’t CryfilmmakerKimberly Piercenearly made the final cut.
Shortland doesn’t even have agency representation, but Johansson pushed for the filmmaker to land the gig as the actress had a strong hand in picking this director. Johansson reportedly sparked to how Shortland handled the female lead ofLore. This project has been a long time coming, as fans have been clamoring for aBlack Widowmovie ever since the character was introduced inIron Man 2. Marvel was, uh, slow to respond, but better late than never right?
The most recent draft of the script was penned byJac Schaeffer, and THR says the story is set before the events ofJoss Whedon’s box office smashThe Avengers. It’s unclear how quicklyBlack Widowwill happen as Johansson has a busy schedule and Marvel is keeping mum on all of its post-Avengers 4titles, but it’s likely a priority. Marvel Studios will releaseCaptain Marvelas its first female-led superhero movie next March, followed byAvengers 4in May andSpider-Man: Far from Homein July. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.
