Marvel’s upcoming Captain Marvel movie already has its leading lady in front of the camera, and now the studio is reportedly closing in on a female filmmaker to lead the production behind the camera.
A new, unofficial report indicates that the studio has narrowed down its list of contenders to direct Captain Marvel to just a trio of names, including one filmmaker with some history at Walt Disney Pictures, a director on zombie drama The Walking Dead, and the filmmaker responsible for a quirky, under-the-radar comedy.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel’s shortlist for Captain Marvel includes Whale Rider director Niki Caro, who also directed Disney’s McFarland, USA; Lesli Linka Glatter, who has directed episodes of The Walking Dead and Homeland; and The Meddler and Seeking A Friend For the End of the World director Lorene Scafaria.
The report notes that the studio isn’t too close to finalizing its decision yet, so it could be a while before the film’s director is announced — and by that time, the list of contenders might change.
Originally expected to make her debut in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain Marvel will be portrayed by Room actress Brie Larson. The actress was officially confirmed for the role during Comic-Con International in San Diego earlier this year. The character is now expected to first appear in May 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War – Part I before going solo in March 2019’s Captain Marvel.
Little is known about the plot of Captain Marvel at this point. Guardians of the Galaxy co-writer Nicole Perlman and Inside Out co-writer Meg LeFauve are penning the script for the film. It’s been confirmed that Larson will play the Carol Danvers version of the character, but how much of her comic book origin story will make it into the film is unknown at this point.
Captain Marvel is scheduled to hit theaters March 8, 2019.
