Marvel wants Ava DuVernay to direct upcoming 'diverse' phase 3 film

If she gets the job it will be the first time a Marvel film is directed by a woman

Director Ava DuVernay, whose feature film Selma is nominated in this year's academy awards, photographed at London's Corinthian Hotel. (Justin Sutcliffe) (Justin Sutcliffe)

After almost a decade of male-led superhero films, Marvel are finally looking outside of their narrow spectrum with up-coming 'phase three' releases Black Panther and Captain Marvel.

Rather than just having different lead characters, however, Marvel are apparently also branching out directorially, with The Wrap reporting that Selma filmmaker Ava DuVernay is currently being courted by the comic book monoliths to direct one of their ‘diverse’ superhero movies.

According to insiders, DuVernay is most likely going to direct the up-coming Chadwick Boseman starring Black Panther film.

If DuVernay does end being brought on as director it will be the first female-directed Marvel movie. Marvel have previously attempted to have a female director, with Patty Jenkins initially meant to direct Thor: The Dark World, but she left during production.

Jenkins has, however, been picked up by DC to direct the upcoming Wonder Woman film, due mid-2017.

Insiders went on to say that Marvel are intent on having an African-American director for Black Panther and a female one for Captain Marvel.

DuVernay’s previous works include Middle of Nowhere, which saw her win best director at Sundance film festival 2012, and I Will Follow, which featured Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Tracie Thoms. She also did promotional work for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2.

The most recent Marvel film to hit cinemas has been Avengers: Age of Ultron. The all-star film broke box-office records while also having quite an unfortunate promotional tour, with Iron Man star Robert Downey Jnr. storming out of an interview and Chris Evans being accused of ‘slut-shaming’.

Black Panther is set to hit cinemas July, 2018.