An alleged shortlist of directors who may take on Captain Marvel narrows the options considerably.
Although neither Marvel nor DC have really prioritized female-led superhero movies, both studios have one upcoming installment of their cinematic universes dedicated to XX-chromosomed caped defenders.
Production is already well underway for DC’s Wonder Woman, which is out in June 2017, but Captain Marvel is still a couple of years away.
Related: Captain Marvel likely to show up, be awesome in Avengers: Infinity War
Having already cast Brie Larson as the titular captain, Marvel is now searching for a director to helm this project. And, much like DC chose Patty Jenkins (after Michelle MacLaren dropped out), Marvel is going with a female director. The question is who?
The Hollywood Reporter has some new information about the studio’s alleged shortlist, which interestingly bumps previous contenders Jennifer Kent and Jennifer Yuh.
If THR’s new information is correct, Marvel’s top three choices are currently Niki Caro, Lesli Linka Glatter and Lorene Scafaria.
Niki Caro is a New Zealand director who broke into the U.S. market with the celebrated feminist movie Whale Rider in 2002. She has also directed North Country, McFarland, USA and the upcoming The Zookeper’s Wife. Additionally, she wrote several episodes of Mercy Peak.
Lesli Linka Glatter is a veteran TV director with credits from such diverse programming as Twin Peaks, Freaks and Geeks, Gilmore Girls, The West Wing, Mad Men and True Blood. Most recently she’s worked on Homeland, and has a new episode out in 2017.
Lorene Scafaria is a writer and actress, whose directorial debut was Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (which she also wrote). She’s directed three episodes of New Girl, and in 2015 she wrote and directed The Meddler with Rose Byrne and Susan Sarandon.