In a clear coup for Warner Bros. and DC Films,Promising Young WomanfilmmakerEmerald Fennellhas signed on to write theZatannamovie that is being produced byJ.J. Abrams' Bad Robot banner, Collider has confirmed.
Created byGardner Foxand artistMurphy Anderson, Zatanna is a magician who made her debut in aHawkmancomic way back in November 1964. She is one of the most powerful sorcerers in the DC universe, having inherited her unique abilities from her father, alchemist Giovanni Zatara.
In the comics, Zatanna is known for her involvement with the Justice League and her romance with John Constantine, though she has never appeared in a DC movie. The character did appear on the CW’sSmallville, where she was played bySerinda Swan.
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At the moment, Fennell’s deal – which has been done for some time now – simply calls for her to write the script, though there’s always the possibility that she could direct as well. But is thisreallywhat we want from Emerald Fennell? B-list comic book movies? I selfishly hoped Fennell would write another original screenplay rather than take a studio assignment about superheroes like many of her talented peers. Fennell has certainly earned the right to do as she pleases, butKathryn Bigelow’s career choices look more refreshing every day.
DC Films presidentWalter Hamadawill oversee theZatannamovie, which is shaping up to be the third DC movie to be led by a female superhero followingWonder Womanand its lackluster sequel. Warner Bros. did recently castSasha Calle(The Young and the Restless) as Supergirl, but that was forThe Flashmovie starringEzra Miller.
Promising Young Womandebuted to rave reviews at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for five Academy Awards earlier this month. Fennell earned three Oscar noms herself, including Best Director, making her the first female filmmaker to be nominated in that category for their feature directorial debut. She also won the WGA Award for Best Original Screenplay on Sunday night.
Additionally, Fennell served as showrunner on Season 2 ofKilling Eve, and she also playsCamilla Parker Bowleson Netflix’s award-winning dramaThe Crown. There’s really nothing she can’t do, and WB/DC/Bad Robot should be thanking their lucky stars she agreed to tackle this assignment. Here’s hoping she finds a way to do something special with one of DC’s higher-profile heroines.
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