A long-gestating project has landed a highly anticipated director. An adaptation of the Image Comics graphic novelCowboy Ninja Vikingwas announced years ago at Universal Pictures, after whichChris Prattsigned on to star and produce. But the project has been gestating for some time while Pratt honed his franchise skills in films likeJurassic Worldand theGuardians of the Galaxy/Marvel movies. Now, however, it appearsCowboy Ninja Vikingmay finally be moving forward—withMichelle MacLarendirecting.
The critically acclaimed director of some of the best episodes ofBreaking Bad, as well as installments ofGame of Thrones,Westworld, andThe Walking Dead, had initially been poised to make her feature directing debut on Warner Bros.’Wonder Woman. But after a few months on the DCEU project, MacLarendeparted over creative differences—there were rumors thatshe wanted the film to be set in a far earlier time periodthan World War I, but it’s officially unclear as to exactly why MacLaren left the project.Patty Jenkinscame onboard thereafter and the rest is history, but it’s exciting to see that MacLaren will now finally be making the leap to the big screen asVarietyreports she’s onboard to helmCowboy Ninja Viking.
There was no doubt MacLaren would find a big project after leavingWonder Woman, but it was a question of what and when. Immediately after departing the superhero pic she signed on to executive produce and direct the pilot and Season 1 finale of the HBO seriesThe Deuce, but with Season 1 of that show now complete it sounds like MacLaren is ready to make a movie.
Cowboy Ninja Vikingrevolves around an assassin who possesses the skills of the three titular personas, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of tone this thing strikes. The script originated withZombielandandDeadpoolscreenwritersPaul WernickandRhett Reese, and the most recent draft was penned byIdentity ThiefandThe Hangover Part IIIscreenwriterCraig Mazin. So it sounds like comedy will be a big part of the film.
Universal has set a July 26, 2025 release date for the film, and with Pratt’s duties inAvengers 4complete it very much sounds likeCowboy Ninja Vikingwill go in front of cameras sometime later this year.
