Since WB announced that they were looking for a female director to helm their solo WONDER WOMAN flick, we've all wondered who they'd go with. Kathryn Bigelow seemed too highbrow and busy for this sort of thing, Mimi Leder hasn't had a hit since DEEP IMPACT (and hasn't directed a film since '09's THE CODE a.k.a. THICK AS THIEVES), and Lexi Alexander went public with why she wouldn't take the job even if it was offered. But one name that was always on the table seems closer than ever to locking down the gig: Michelle MacLaren.
You may not know MacLaren's name, but you've almost certainly seen her work. She's directed four episodes of GAME OF THRONES, three WALKING DEADs, and a whopping 11 of the 62 episodes of BREAKING BAD. She also has the second episode of BETTER CALL SAUL in the can. She's got a ton of experience on the small screen, and has amassed a hell of a reputation for someone who's never helmed a a feature film.
It seems like a no-brainer for WB to go this route. They get their female director that they promised (though there's a chance they still may go with a man), and one that can direct the hell out of an action scene, to boot. Even better, though she has name value, she probably doesn't have the kind of sway that would keep WB locked out of production meetings. Like Alexander said, it's ultimately their movie, and whoever they get has to be okay with doing things their way. Marvel had great luck when they brought both the Russos and Alan Taylor from TV, and they were able to impose their input without publicly stepping on anyone's toes (at least, for a while). WB is clearly swinging for the fences with this DC rollout, and there's going to be a ton of eyes on WONDER WOMAN wondering if it will finally break the streak of male-driven superhero films. MacLaren obviously has the talent to jump in and work with a pre-existing cast, crew, and setup, while still injecting personality and nuance into her output, so from my perspective, it's a win-win for everyone involved.
But I know some of you were never going to happy unless Kathryn Bigelow directed this, ideally off a script by Eric Red, W. Peter Iliff, or James Cameron.
WONDER WOMAN fights for the Amazons on June 23rd, 2017.
