Just a few days after breaking up with original Wonder Woman director Michelle MacLaren due to "creative differences," it looks like Warner Bros Studios managed to bounce back quickly with a new female director.
They have enlisted director Patty Jenkins, who was originally chosen by Marvel Cinematic Studios to handle the Thor 2 film back in 2011, until the two failed to see eye to eye. The Hollywood Reporter shares that she would have been the first female to direct a Marvel superhero film had it not been for their differences, but now she will be moving forward with Warner's DC Universe.
Meanwhile, the second Thor film, which has been named Thor: The Dark World has been directed by Alan Taylor.
MacLaren was heavily involved in writing Wonder Woman's script, which Israeli actress Gal Gadot would star in. It has been scheduled for a 2017 release date. But the director was forced to stop working on the project after encountering some issues with the studio, which both parties have failed to comment and elaborate on.
"Given creative differences, Warner Bros. and Michelle MacLaren have decided not to move forward with plans to develop and direct Wonder Woman together," the studio said in a statement.
Choosing Jenkins to take over MacLaren is a smart move for Warner Bros Studios, since it avoided any anti-feminism debates and accusations.
Jenkins is a well-known television filmmaker before she ventured onto the big screen. Her big screen debut was Monster, an indie movie which starred Charlize Theron. It even won the actress a best acting Oscar.
Surprisingly, Jenkins had difficulty finding another movie to direct after Monster, but she did direct the pilot for the highly acclaimed television crime drama The Killing.
Just like Jenkins, MacLaren is also known for her work on television. She is an experienced TV showrunner and director, having worked on TV series such as Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Better Call Saul. Had it not been for her "creative differences" with Warner Bros Studios, Wonder Woman would have been her big screen directorial debut.
The movie-making industry is definitely tough on women, and even Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot suffered from several criticisms about her figure. Many slammed her for being "too skinny" to play the "gifted" superhero, but Gadot has put on a brave face and said that people's comments really do not bother her.
