Just days after it was reported that Michelle MacLaren (Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones) had left the project due to “creative differences,” the Hollywood Reporter has posted a story saying Patty Jenkins has closed a deal to direct the Wonder Woman film in Warner Bros.’ DC Cinematic Universe.
Patty Jenkins? That name sounds familiar…
It should. She’s a very talented director who had her debut with Monster in 2003, which earned its lead actress Charlize Theron an Academy Award. She’s also directed episodes of Arrested Development, Entourage, and The Killing (including the pilot).
Yes, but there’s another reason that sounds familiar…
You would be correct. She was attached to direct Thor: The Dark World for Marvel. However, that was still when Marvel’s reputation for exerting creative control over their directors was finding its place. As you may have heard, Marvel’s will is final in their movies despite the thoughts of their filmmakers.
If you noticed, almost every director from their phase 1 films has not returned (with the exception of Joss Whedon), and Patty Jenkins was an understandable causality of that mentality. She left the project, citing “creative differences, ” which may sound familiar if you’ve been following the story of Wonder Woman‘s development this week. Jenkins was eventually replaced by director Alan Taylor, who is currently working on Terminator Genisys.
Oh, wow. So this is a pretty big score for DC/Warner Bros.
Yes and no. It’s a big deal in that they’re getting a talented director who has a great ability to coax fantastic performances out of her actors. If you’re thinking that this is a big middle finger to Marvel, Warner Bros. is merely picking up someone who has no interest in working with their competition anyway. Marvel has lost nothing, as it wasn’t likely she was going to direct Captain Marvel.
Now, if Michelle MacLaren is picked up to direct Captain Marvel, that would just be bizarre.
Does this mean the Wonder Woman movie is back on track?
Well, it certainly means it’s more on track. The film is slated for release on June 23, 2015, which gives Jenkins and Warner Bros. about two years to get everything together. That seems like enough time, but it also depends on where on the film’s current development. Are they starting from scratch or keeping aspects of MacLaren’s work? It’s most likely the former.
Seeing as how David Goyer and Zack Snyder have been steering the ship so far, it’ll be interesting to see how Warner Bros. will treat its other DC filmmakers. Thus far, David Ayer seems to be quite pleased with how Suicide Squad is progressing, with very little hic ups other than some script reworking after he signed on and inserted The Joker into the story.
What will Warner Bros. relationship with Jenkins be? We’ll just have to watch and wait.
