It has been announced that theBlack Widowstandalone movie will be directed byCate Shortland. Shortland, an Australian director known for the Nazi dramaLore, has signed on to direct the Marvel project that will star Scarlett Johansson. Jac Schaeffer wrote the most recent draft for theBlack Widowmovie, but it’s not clear if that screenplay will remain in place. The project was first announced at the beginning of 2018, after being discussed for years. Though nothing has been confirmed, it is believed that the film will take place before the events of the firstAvengersmovie.
Marvel Studios reportedlymet with over 70 directorsfor theBlack Widowmovie before choosing Cate Shortland. The director does not have official representation, but it’s believed that she was chosen with the help of Scarlett Johansson, who is a big fan and pushed for her to helm the movie. The hunt for a director narrowed last month with Amma Asante and Maggie Betts being the finalists alongside Shortland. Melanie Laurent and Kimberly Peirce were also considered to direct the standaloneBlack Widowmovie.
Scarlett Johansson first playedBlack Widowin 2010’sIron Man 2and has since starred in all of the Avengers movies as well asCaptain America: Winter SoldierandCaptain America: Civil War. Johansson will next be seen as theRussian spy turned superheroin 2019’sAvengers 4, which will conclude Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If all goes according to plan, Johansson will have the second female-led Marvel movie after Brie Larson’sCaptain Marvel, which hits theaters in March, a few months beforeAvengers 4.
ABlack Widowmovie has been asked about for years, but now seems like a good time toget more of the character’s story told. When asked about the movie earlier this year, Scarlett Johansson said that the circumstances would have to be right for the movie to officially take shape. There were reports that Johansson was helping with the script and it appears that she has been involved with the director selection as well, so it would seem that the circumstances are now right. Johansson has spoken about the “rich origin” story of the character, which would be a great story to explore.
Scarlett Johansson also wants theBlack Widowmovie to standalone, outside of the MCU and to be different from all of the other standalone movies that have been released thus far. And now, with the selection of Cate Shortland, Johansson may have found the right person to deliver that unique Marvel movie that she was referring to 7 months ago. This is great news for Marvel fans who have been waiting to see if theBlack Widowmovie was going to get past the in-development phase of production. With that being said, there’s currently no word when the movie will begin filming. WithAvengers 4on the horizon, it’s going to be a little while. You can read more about Cate Shortland signing on to direct theBlack Widowmovie at The Hollywood Reporter.
