Ant-Man director Peyton Reed recently spilled the beans that Marvel Studios had already appointed a director for Captain Marvel, and it didn’t take the press long to find out who that director is – or, to be accurate, who these directors are. Multiple outlets have reported that Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have sealed a deal to direct the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe installment.
The duo, best known for directing the 2014 Ryan Reynolds starrer Mississippi Grind, also collaborated on It's Kind of a Funny Story, Sugar, and Half Nelson. They’ve also directed small-screen projects, including Billions and The Affair.
Marvel carried out an extensive search before hiring Bode and Fleck to direct Captain Marvel. Potential candidates included Emily Carmichael (Lumberjanes), Elizabeth Wood (White Girl), Niki Caro (Whale Rider), Lesli Linka Glatter (Into the Homeland), Lorene Scafaria (The Meddler), Rebecca Thomas (Electrick Children), Jennifer Yuh (Kung Fu Panda 2), and Jennifer Kent (The Babadook).
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio also considered Time Traveling Bong director Lucia Aniello and Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson as potential directors of the first standalone female superhero movie. Variety suggests that Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck met with Marvel executives numerous times, and impressed them with their vision for the March 8, 2019 release.
The studio was obviously thorough and deliberate as it searched and came to a decision. In addition, they’ve dedicated themselves to ensuring that the script was in excellent shape before making that decision.
Boden and Fleck are expected to start cameras rolling for Captain Marvel next January at Atlanta's Pinewood Studios. So there’s still ample time for the duo to settle into Marvel territory and participate in pre-production activities, including casting characters who will appear alongside Brie Larson's Carol Danvers.
