It makes a certain kind of sense, maybe, if you look at it sideways. Deadline reports that Craig Gillespie is in talks to direct DC Studios’ Supergirl, which recently found its star in House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock (pictured above).
Gillespie’s resume is all over the place, ranging from episodes of The United States of Tara to the 2011 Fright Night to I, Tonya to Cruella, which presumably proved that he can handle a franchise brand name. Between the Tonya Harding movie, the Cruella origin story, and the misguided Pam and Tommy series he directed three episodes of for Hulu, he has a track record with female leads.
But—sorry, this is a wild idea—why not have a woman direct Supergirl? Is that so much to ask? Gina Prince-Bythewood more than proved her superhero bonafides with The Old Guard. I am still waiting for another action movie from Mimi Leder, who mostly directs TV episodes now. Greta Gerwig is in theory quite busy with Narnia but perhaps she could find some time in her schedule. Chloe Zhao? Michelle MacLaren? Melina Matsoukas? There are so many options. [ed note: KELLY REICHARDT FIRST COW/DC CROSSOVER YOU COWARDS. Just call it THE First Cow, it’ll be fine.]
At least the project has a female writer in Ana Nogueira. Supergirl is based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. It does not currently have a release date, but Deadline notes that it is expected to begin filming late this year, once James Gunn is done filming Superman (formerly known as Superman: Legacy, but now reduced to a one-word title that will not be confusing at all).
