Without further delay, word from The Hollywood Reporter announced that Michelle MacLaren has officially signed on to direct the forthcoming Wonder Woman feature film, based on the original comic book superheroine created in 1941. MacLaren‘s attachment comes just a month after it was stated that a female director was being sought after for the film, for which actress Gal Gadot was formally brought on to star in the title role almost a year ago. The film would mark the first of a trilogy to fit somewhere in between the latter four years of the current WB/DCU schedule with Wonder Woman set to release on June 23, 2017.
It’s high time though, what with all the progress made by Marvel in its line-up and the online banter and criticisms regarding how slow Warner Bros. has been to bring its DC Cinematic Universe to full fruition. The popular Amazonian demigod has endured through the ages on paper, through television with actress Lynda Carter famously portraying the role in 1975, as well as a number of animated appearances prior to the failure of television networks, the CW and NBC to get their own shows off the ground. So it was a bit of a breath of fresh air to see Warner Bros. finally take the property seriously with their announcement late last year after stating how difficult it would be before then…
Oh how times change!
MacLaren‘s is in great straits with notable television credits like AMC’s Breaking Bad and its forthcoming spin-off series, Better Call Saul to name a few. Her name came as one of a few to make the internet rounds along with Green Street and Punisher: War Zone helmer Lexi Alexander who shared her own reluctance this month to direct the film, largely citing pressure due to carrying the weight and responsibility of gender equality between male and female-led superhero movies. It’s a noteworthy subject in my own opinion, although it does feel a little self-defeating.
At any rate, its probably a relief Alexander didn’t take the job lest she crack midway through filming or something like that; Hopefully her cult success will grant her something special to work with and bring something to movie lovers. As for MacLaren, well, it appears we finally have someone willing to take the job head on, which is all we can ask for at this point, other than they not screw this up.
Charles Roven and Zack and Deborah Snyder producing the film with MacLaren developing the script with a team of currently-unnamed writers. Wonder Woman will arrive just over a year after Gadot debuts her character in Zack Snyder’s March 25, 2016 release of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. CLICK HERE to check out the current WB/DCU calendar!
H/T: ComingSoon.net