With the upcoming release of Captain Marvel and plans to introduce Ms. Marvel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios is on track in producing more female lead films. The long overdue Black Widow film is also inching close as the shortlist for potential directors to helm the project has been narrowed down to three. Black Widow is set to be one of the earliest film is Marvel’s Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it seems that the potential directors are Cate Shortland, Amma Asante and Maggie Betts.
Deadline reports that the three directors met recently with Kevin Feige and Scarlett Johansson to discuss the film. Those names may not ring a bell but their films may sound familiar. Cate Shortland is an acclaimed Australian filmmaker having made acclaimed independent film Somersault, historical drama Lore and the recent psychological thriller Berlin Syndrome starring Teresa Palmer. Her films aren’t mainstream but she is a thoughtful filmmaker with plenty of recognition under her belt.
Amma Asante is also a fairly recognized filmmaker in the more dramatic scene with smaller films like A Way of Life and period drama Belle which earned critical acclaim along with being one of critic Mark Kermode’s favorite films of 2014. Maggie Betts seems like the rookie among these two, having directed only one feature film, Novitiate which earned critical acclaim and earned Betts the Special Jury Prize – Breakthrough Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival last year.
These directors seem like worthy candidates but the favor seems to be tipping towards Shortland, being the most experienced and all but Deadline reports that Asante and Betts shouldn’t be counted out just yet. These films may be much smaller in scale and relatively unknown but this could be the break these directors need to bring their films to a larger audience. Their experience with more thoughtful and emotionally driven films would also be able to translate well to the MCU providing a far more compelling narrative to the film. Nonetheless, we can rest assured knowing that Natasha Romanoff will be in the right hands.
Source: Deadline
