A woman directing a movie about the most iconic female superhero of all time was like a dream come true for a lot of women.
Alas, it appears the dream has ended as Michelle Maclaren has dropped out of directing Wonder Woman.
In an unexpected move, Warner Bros. announced that “Given creative differences, Warner Bros. and Michelle MacLaren have decided not to move forward with plans to develop and direct Wonder Woman together.”
Warner Bros. spent months searching for a female director to helm the project, which focused on one of the most famous female superheroes of all time.
Breaking: ‘Wonder Woman’ Movie Loses Director Michelle MacLaren (Exclusive) http://t.co/T6rfxLGZZE pic.twitter.com/mTym9goQgp
— THR Movies (@THRmovies) April 13, 2015
The announcement that Maclaren was chosen to direct Wonder Woman was received with a lot of fanfare, and almost the same amount of excitement as when Gal Gadot was tapped to play the beloved heroine.
So it comes as no surprise that the news left a bitter aftertaste in some sectors who are left wondering if Hollywood has something against female directors.
After all, Maclaren isn’t the first female director who left a film due to “creative differences.”
Patty Jenkins was originally tasked to direct Thor 2, giving her the distinction of being the first woman to direct a Marvel superhero movie. But she too left for the same reasons.
Wonder Woman was supposed to be Maclaren’s first full-length movie directorial debut. She has already garnered acclaim over her directorial skills in episodes of Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead and her most recent one, Better Call Saul.
The news was disheartening to Lynda Carter as well.
#LyndaCarter says #WonderWoman needs Female Voice! She’s open to assist creatively or a role! http://t.co/Xyd23UKBP4? pic.twitter.com/dB4eIb7tpw
— Superhero Of Steel (@SuperheroSteel) April 15, 2015
“I think it needs a woman,” the original Wonder Woman said in an interview. She further explained that the movie needs a female perspective, especially since women understand women.
Despite losing their director, Warner Bros. hasn’t changed the movie’s release date. Wonder Woman is still slated to hit movie theaters in 2017.