Marvel Studios’ Black Widow standalone film has found its director in Cate Shortland, an Australian indie director.
The announcement puts an end to the one and a half year long search for a female director, after Marvel Studios insisted that it be a priority. The studio is said to have met with over 70 directors in order to find its ideal candidate.
Shortland is most known for Lore, a critically acclaimed 2012 Nazi drama that follows a young woman who leads her siblings through Germany as the Allied army rolls in. According to reports, Scarlet Johansson, who plays the role of Black Widow in the Avengers films and will be reprising her role for this standalone film, is said to have become a fan of Shortland’s after watching Lore and has been pushing for her to be hired to direct the upcoming Marvel film.
Johansson’s Black Widow is said to be set before the events of the first Avengers film. This film will be Marvel’s second female-focused film after Captain Marvel, which is due to release on 8th March next year.