So, what the fuck? Granted, Marvel’s choices for directors can often be surprising — Ang Lee? Kenneth Branagh? — but for the most part they usually see something in the helmers that others don’t. While earlier this summer, “Game Of Thrones” and “Boardwalk Empire” helmer Brian Kirk was being tossed around as a candidate, word today has another name — one we haven’t heard in a loooong time — as the front runner for the job.
Patty Jenkins, whose last feature was 2003’s grim “Monster,” which earned an uglied up Charlize Theron an Oscar, is now in early talks to direct “Thor 2.” We have to admit, we’re thoroughly confused. That film is the only feature under her belt, and despite the high praise it earned, Jenkins pretty much fell off the planet in subsequent years only to pop up and direct an episode of “Arrested Development,” two episodes of “Entourage,” and the pilot of the new hit AMC series “The Killing.” And, more recently, she signed on direct a segment of the Lifetime channel omnibus “Project Five.” We’re not really sure what experience she brings to the table that Marvel is excited by — no real VFX work as far as we can see — so we’re utterly baffled. But for the penny pinching studio, she may be the cheapest candidate they’ve ever had.
We’re still scratching our heads and we’re sure the geek community is going to have a lot to say about this choice. But a woman finally directing a comic franchise could potentially be interesting. Guess we’ll find out how it all plays soon enough. “Thor 2” is slated to hit theaters on July 26, 2013. [Variety]
