Batten down the hatches, internet, because in a move that should in no way inspire heated discussions in comments sections worldwide Marvel wants to hire Selma director Ava DuVernay for one of its upcoming “diverse” projects, meaning either Black Panther (because he’s black) or Captain Marvel (because she’s a woman). DuVernay is both, and would be the first African-American and the first woman to direct a movie in the MCU. (Lexi Alexander directed Punisher: War Zone, but that film is not official MCU canon.) According to The Wrap, Black Panther, which is set to hit theaters on November 3, 2017 with Chadwick Boseman in the lead, is the more likely possibility.
This could be a good thing, because, as the ACLU alleges in its recent call for a federal investigation into Hollywood hiring practices, female directors don’t get the chance to “graduate” from smaller-budget fare to blockbuster tentpoles as often as their male counterparts. However, past attempts to correct this imbalance—Marvel originally hired Patty Jenkins to direct Thor: The Dark World, only to have her leave over creative differences; Jenkins is now directing DC’s Wonder Woman movie, having replaced Michelle MacLaren, who also left over creative differences—have been marred by conflict between studios and directors, so we’ll see how this one plays out. Sadly, even if Marvel does give DuVernay the freedom to follow her vision, she probably won’t get nominated for an Oscar this time, either.