Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow solo movie eyes Cate Shortland to come on board as director
Marvel has been banking on the Black Widow murmur for some time now. Especially with the kind of success the studios tasted at the box office with this year's blockbusters like the 'Black Panther' and 'Avengers: Infinity War', the comic book-based franchise is going all out in terms of utilizing its pre-existing character resources to churn the numbers.
One of the strongest pawns in Marvel's kitty at the moment is Scarlett Johansson-played Black Widow, the character whose journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with 2010's Iron Man 2. Almost a decade since her introduction into the team of Avengers, the word is that the Marvel bosses are rooting for a solo Black Widow movie.
Of course, with Johansson at the front and center of all action, the next step in the process of materializing a standalone Black Widow feature would be to narrow in on a director. And if latest reports are any indication, the studio is seriously considering female talent once again - just how they did with Brie Larson's captain Marvel - to fill in the shoes of the director.
At least three names have so far been rounded up, according to Deadline, out of a list of contenders that include as many as 49 directors. Amongst the top three choices, though, Australian director Cate Shortland (known for movies like 'Lore', 'Berlin Syndrome') has surfaced as a preferred choice as per dedicated movie news sites.
But that definitely doesn't mean discounting the other two - Amma Asante and Maggie Betts. All the three women are even believed to have met with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige for further discussion on the fate of the solo Black Widow movie, which is most likely to begin production sometime around 2019.
While work on the solo movie is finally picking up the pace, rumors, and discussions surrounding the Black Widow feature has been doing the rounds since 2016. In fact, last year, the Natasha Romanoff actress herself teased possibilities of such a feature, explaining that they are just waiting for the opportune moment.
“I’ve talked to Kevin Feige about it. We’re creatively really compatible. I think we both agree that the character is right for a standalone, it’s just a case of timing at this point for both Marvel and myself," Johansson said adding, "Marvel has a really huge roster. They’re looking four years ahead. I also have a lot of things that I want to do. If I did it, I would dedicate myself completely to making it amazing. It would have to be the best version that movie could possibly be. Otherwise, I would never do it.”
Indeed, what better time to go ahead with a female-fronted superhero movie than in 2018, when Marvel is already upping its hype machine for the upcoming Captain Marvel film, starring Larson and directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden.