Michelle MacLaren Confirmed to Direct 'Wonder Woman'

Well, it's official. After it was reported a couple of weeks ago that Michelle MacLaren was in talks to direct Wonder Woman, Variety now confirms she has lassoed the job.

MacLaren has been the top pick by many who are familiar with her work in television, primarily as a major creative force on Breaking Bad, The X-Files, Game of Thrones, and The Walking Dead. This would be the Emmy winner's feature directorial debut, leading the film that we know will star Gal Gadot, following up on the character's first appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

What remains unclear is whether this will be an origin story or set in the modern day. Recent rumors have suggested the first film would be set in the 1920s, detailing the first encounter between warring Amazonian factions and the first man to arrive on Paradise Island. The sequel would then take place during WWII followed by a contemporary third chapter. MacLaren will work closely with screenwriters to develop the project in time for release on June 23rd 2017.

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'Game of Thrones' Director Michelle MacLaren in Talks to Direct 'Wonder Woman'

When word broke that Warner Bros. was looking for a female director for their upcoming Wonder Woman movie, the name that emerged at the top of most lists was Breaking Bad producer/director Michelle MacLaren. She's won Emmys for her work on the small screen but never had her shot at a feature film, and now that may be about to change.

According to Variety, MacLaren is in talks to direct Wonder Woman starring Fast & Furious' Gal Gadot. She had been on the shortlist alongside Catherine Hardwicke, Katherine Bigelow, and other top female directors, but has now emerged as the frontrunner. The resume supporting MacLaren for the job is impeccable. Not only was she the main director for Breaking Bad, but she's also led significant episodes of The X-Files, Game of Thrones, and The Walking Dead. So let's just say her geek cred is beyond reproach.

Wonder Woman is set to open on June 23rd 2017, after the character debuts in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. She will also appear in two separate Justice League movies along with her standalone franchise.

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Rumor: 'Wonder Woman' Director Shortlist Includes Kathryn Bigelow, Catherine Hardwicke and More

So that didn't take long. Shortly after reports began to circulate that Warner Bros. was looking to bring a female director on to helm their upcoming Wonder Woman movie, which will star Gal Gadot and arrive in 2017 as part of a huge DC Comics lineup, Forbes has already gotten on the ball and revealed the list of apparent candidates. Mostly it's names that one would expect to find, but there are a couple of surprises.

The list of possibilities includes Kathryn Bigelow Catherine Hardwicke, Julie Taymor, Mimi Leder, Karyn Kusama, Michelle MacLaren, and Tricia Brock. Obviously, Bigelow would be the big score here, but the Zero Dark Thirty and The Hurt Locker director is probably the least likely to want to do something like this. Hardwicke has franchise experience with Twilight, and many of her movies (Thirteen, Red Riding Hood) have been from the female perspective. She may be the most logical choice. Kusama has had a rough go of it since breaking through with Girlfight in 2000, a film that introduced the world to Michelle Rodriguez. She hasn't directed a feature since Jennifer's Body in 2009, and she also helmed the big-budget stinker, Aeon Flux. Leder also hasn't directed a major film in awhile, but the Deep Impact filmmaker certainly knows the terrain. Taymor may not seem like an obvious pick but the gorgeous visuals she was able to bring to Across the Universe and The Tempest may be what got WB's attention. MacLaren has directed episodes of The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, both shows serving as solid launching pads for others; and Brock is best known for her work on Person of Interest.

My gut tells me WB will go with an established name, which could mean Hardwicke will be the choice. Or perhaps there are others out there we still don't know about? Wonder Woman opens June 23rd 2017.

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