DC is playing catch up as best they can against the Ultron-infused House of M. However, there is one thing that the owners of Batman and Superman have on their plate that Marvel is severely lacking in: diversity. Originally announced as a supporting character/cameo in the upcoming Batman v Superman film, Wonder Woman is finally getting her due on the big screen.
Background Noise: Arrow 'Corto Maltese' Review - A Tale Of Two Sisters
The company is extending that commitment to diversity to behind the camera as well. As of this writing, the only superhero film to be helmed by a woman has been the unbelievably amazing Punisher: War Zone, which was directed by Lexi Alexander. None of you saw it, and you should all be ashamed of yourselves.
The sad thing about the list, which has been releaed by Forbes, is that it contains essentially every 'known' female director in Hollywood, and considering the list is not even ten names long, is an issue plaguing the industry. I'm not saying every woman should go out and be a director, but must every list include Kathryn Bigelow, simply because she's the only woman to win an Oscar? Do not get me wrong, Bigelow is a fantastic director. She would do justice (ahem) to a Wonder Woman film.
Vertigo's Constantine Pilot Is A Little Stuffed, But Worth It
But if you want diversity seek out diversity, and not just the established but the unknowns. You could be surprised. Marvel has utilized several up and comers or relative unknowns for the projects and have hit home runs. The directors behind Captain America 2 had only ever really directed a handful of Community episodes.
The list also includes Mimi Leder, who is certainly the strongest candidate. She worked on the short-lived Almost Human (again, shame on all of you) and Human Target, a comic book adaptation. Her feature film credits include not-Armageddon (better known as Deep Impact) and Dreamworks' first ever picture, The Peacemaker, in which George Clooney is a total ass to Nicole Kidman. Seriously, see The Peacemaker.
Catherine Hardwicke has a noted track record of female-led movies, having helmed the first Twilight movie, The Nativity Story and the (sadly, god awful) Red Riding Hood. She's worked with Warners a lot, so she is quite known to the execs there. She would bring a very fine visual aesthetic to the film, one I hope is not simply drab and dreary.
Noted visualist Julie Taymor, who helmed the excellent Titus and Across The Universe would bring the most unique lens to the project. A Broadway director, she even created that terrible Spider-man musical, she is known for stunning visuals that could certainly bring the WB universe out of its suffocating darkness.
The fourth and final member is Karyn Kusama, who most notably directed Michelle Rodriguez in her debut Girlfight back in 2000, and is the "edgy" choice. She could bring a deeper meaning to the story about an Amazonian (or god forbid, Kryptonian) warrioress.
However, women have been slowly dominating the television industry. Michelle MacLaren has directed some notable episodes of Game of Thrones, and need I say more? Also in contention is Tricia Bock, who has directed many Warner shows, including the still-stunning Person of Interest.
It's anyone's guess, but I can't imagine some last minute dark horse coming in and taking the prize. As long as Warner Bros' sticks to this list, they at least have one thing going for their DC Multiverse that Marvel does not have.
Regardless of who they get to direct, we sadly can guarantee that no one will be able to create the ridiculously genius opening credits to the original show.
