The Wrap reports that that Marvel is “courting” director Ava DuVernay (Selma) for Black Panther. If Marvel can pull this off, it’ll be a massive coup.


According to the Wrap’s sources, DuVernay and Marvel have had several meetings about her directing one of their upcoming movies, specifically either Black Panther or Captain Marvel. Since Black Panther is due first in 2018, it’s the one she’s most likely to get. Lest anyone worry that this is a fruitless endeavor, the Wrap also describes the situation as “mutual interest.”

DuVernay would be the first female director to actually complete a Marvel film — Patty Jenkins left Thor: The Dark World only to emerge as the latest Wonder Woman director.


DuVernay would be a prestige name for Marvel to announce while her work on Selma is still fresh in everyone’s minds. It also continues in their long tradition of not necessarily hiring “action movie” directors for their films. All in all, this sounds like a great idea.