Olivia Wilde is about to take on her biggest directorial gig to date. After dazzling critics and moviegoers with her helming skills on Booksmart, the actress/director is being tasked by Sony to take on Marvel. It has been announced that Wilde is being set up to direct a female-centered Marvel film at the studio.
One aspect of this story that isn’t totally confirmed, but was reported by “Deadline”, is that the film is expected to center on Spider-Woman. The project will be penned by Katie Silberman with Amy Pascal producing. Rachel O’Connor will executive produce. Wilde, Silberman, and Pascal already have strong ties and the three are working on a Christmas buddy film at Universal they hope to do prior to the Marvel film.
The female-centered Marvel project has been a high priority since the top of the year and Wilde came close to passing on it as her schedule has begun to fill up quite quickly. At the end of the day, the idea of having a chance to launch her own female superhero was too hard to pass up, and she eventually came around to fully committing to the project. I’d say landing her was a huge get for the studio and they’re lucky to have her.
For those unfamiliar with Spider-Woman, the character has actually been the alter ego of several characters in the Spider-Man timeline over the years including Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, and Jessica Drew, who was the first to sport the costume in the late 1970s. Since the concept is being completely revamped by Wilde, it’s unknown the direction the studio will go with her at this time.
