Because of the remarkable box office success of “Wonder Woman,” director Patty Jenkins paved the way for more female directors to shine in Hollywood. Her recently inked deal with Warner Bros. to direct the DC female superhero’s sequel ranges from $7 to $9 million, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. This makes her the highest paid director of all time.
Fortunately, there are other female directors who are out to prove their talent in the next year. Here are several upcoming movies directed by women to watch out for:
1. “A Wrinkle in Time”
Most likely the movie with the biggest budget in this list, Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” is an epic science fiction adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s novel of the same name. After the disappearance of her astrophysicist father, Meg and two other companions are sent to space by three mysterious beings in order to search for him.
According to Vanity Fair, Ava DuVernay is the first woman of color in history to helm a $100 million film. But DuVernay, of course, was quick to point out on Twitter that she is not the first one “capable of doing so. Not by a long shot.” DuVernay was already making waves before she signed on to this big Disney project. She directed the historical drama film “Selma“, which was nominated for Best Picture at the 87th Academy Awards.
The cast includes Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Michael Peňa and Chris Pine.
On the subject of people of color in America, you might also want to read about Seattle Repertory Theatre’s upcoming slice of life drama “Two Trains Running” here on Equality365. The Juliette Carrillo production takes audiences through 10 plays that shine a light on what playwright August Wilson considers an endless struggle for African Americans.
“A Wrinkle in Time” premieres on March 9, 2018.
2. “Blockers”
“Blockers” sees the directorial debut of Kay Cannon, the screenwriter of the “Pitch Perfect” films and writer and producer for TV series “30 Rock.” In fact, her work on “30 Rock” has earned her three Best Comedic Series awards at the Writers Guild of America.
The movie is basically a comedy about three parents trying to stop their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night. It stars Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena.
The film is set for a release on April 20, 2018.
3. “The Nightingale”
Director Michelle MacLaren has signed on to head the production of TriStar’s “The Nightingale.” In an article by Variety, producer Elizabeth Cantillon shares, “One of Michelle’s many gifts as a director is her ability to tell stories that are both intimate and epic.” MacLaren is best known for her work on critically acclaimed TV shows like “Breaking Bad“, “The Walking Dead“, and “Game of Thrones.”
Another film based on a novel, “The Nightingale” tells the story of two sisters struggling to survive the German occupation in France. It was inspired by the story of a Belgian woman who helped downed Allied pilots escape Nazi territory.
The film is due to premiere on August 10, 2018.
4. “Half Magic”
A comedy movie that touches on themes of female empowerment through sex, work, and friendship, “Half Magic” is the first directorial project by Heather Graham. She also stars in the movie, alongside Stephanie Beatriz, Jason Lewis, Molly Shannon, Luke Arnold, Thomas Lennon and Angela Kinsey. The film explores how the three main characters battle low self-esteem, bad relationships, and sexism, borrowing heavily from Graham’s own personal experience in the crazy, male-dominated world of Hollywood. With a career that has spanned nearly three decades, Graham certainly has plenty of stories to share, beginning with this tongue-in-cheek sex comedy.
Although her directorial debut is truly an empowering experience for Graham, who wrote the film as a reaction to the problems she sees in the industry, this isn’t Graham’s first time taking on an empowering project. Back in March, SBC News reported that Graham was the face behind Foxy Bingo’s mascot, who was thought to be a Northern man for many years. All her Foxy Bingo stints, which are viewable on Foxy Television, depict her speaking with a British accent. The article quoted her saying, “I’ve never gotten to play a man or a fox so it was a big challenge.” Graham’s casting is certainly an effort to prove that women are capable of playing presumably male roles regardless of the industry.
“Half Magic” hits theaters on February 28, 2018.
5. “The Darkest Minds”
“The Darkest Minds” is a dystopian thriller based on the young adult novel of the same name. It follows 16-year-old Ruby Daly as she and other teenagers use their abilities against a corrupt government.
Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, of “Kung Fu Panda 2” fame, will be at the helm of this one. The cast includes Amandla Stenber, Harris Dickinson, Mandy Moor, Patrick Gibson and Gwendoline Christie.
The film is set for release on September 14, 2018.
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Article written by Harry Wiggins
