Cate Shortland Will Direct Marvel Studios’ Black Widow Solo Film

Marvel Studios’ Black Widow now has a director.

Cate Shortland is going to helm the movie.

According to Variety, the indie director’s hiring comes after a successful meeting with star Scarlett Johansson. Other contenders on the list include Kimberly Peirce, Amma Assante, and Maggie Betts.

Shortland is best known for her work in film and television. Her directorial credits include Somersault, Lore and Berlin Syndrome. Directing Black Widow makes Shortland the second female director to work for Marvel Studios. The first is Anna Boden, co-director of Captain Marvel.

Black Widow will take place sometime before The Avengers. Little is known of the plot, but there is a chance her origins will be shown. There is also talk of Jeremy Renner showing up as Hawkeye, and this could explore their shared history. Another possibility is Bucky Barnes as the Winter Soldier.

Or perhaps we may see the Budapest incident after all….

Expect BlacK Widow in Phase Four.