New 'Star Wars' Movie 'Rogue Squadron' To Be Helmed By Patty Jenkins
It looks like Patty Jenkins is going to jump from one famous property to another. After directing the commercial and critical success that is Wonder Woman, Jenkins is now head to a galaxy far, far away as she directs Rogue Squadron.
Deadline reports that the 49-year-old director has just been announced as the director of the new film set in the Star Wars universe, Rogue Squadron. The film is going to follow Resistance pilots and is planned to be released on Christmas 2023.
Jenkins made the revelation on her Twitter account, posting a video of herself talking about her late father, a fighter pilot. She said that she had wanted to film a movie about pilots for a long time now, and Rogue Squadron was the perfect material.
Variety notes that Walt Disney Company executive chairman Robert Iger retweeted Jenkins’s tweet, adding that Disney was thrilled to have her on board and described himself as an admirer of her work.
As pointed out by the publication, this will be the first time in Star Wars history that a woman will direct a film in the franchise. The Rise of Skywalker had Victoria Mahoney as second unit director, while Deborah Chow has directing credits on Star Wars shows The Mandalorian and the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi.
This is just the latest feat achieved by Jenkins, who back in 2017 became the first woman to direct a major superhero film when Warner Bros. entrusted her with Wonder Woman. The movie was a hit with critics and audiences alike, earning $821 million around the world.
Jenkins is not the only woman director finding more and more projects within the superhero and science fiction realm. Back in August, it was rumored that Oliva Wilde would be directing a Sony Marvel movie.
Sony has, reportedly, contracted wilde to helm a Marvel movie centered around a female character, with fan speculation pointing to the Spider-Woman character. It is still unclear which Spider-Woman will be depicted in the film, as the title has been held by characters Jessica Drew, Mary Jane Watson, and Gwen Stacy.
While initially reluctant to take on directing duties for the film, Wilde was apparently lured by chance to launch a female superhero franchise. If the rumor is true, it will be following Wilde’s two other films, Don’t Worry Darling and Booksmart.
Another woman directing a Sony Marvel movie is S.J. Clarkson, who is reportedly developing a Madame Webb film. Reportedly, up for the role of Madame Webb are Amy Adams and Charlize Theron.