Exclusive: Olivia Wilde In Talks To Direct DC Movie
Olivia Wilde may direct a movie for the newly formed DC Studios.
Olivia Wilde is currently in negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery to direct a DC movie. According to our trusted and proven sources, the director of the recent science fiction thriller Don’t Worry Darling is being wooed by the newly formed DC Studios to make a comic book adaptation, though there are no details as to which project she might be being considered for. As of late, Olivia Wilde has found herself somewhat controversial as a filmmaker, but now that the DC Universe seems to be getting an overhaul, it makes sense that some more left-field choices might be brought in.
Although Olivia Wilde is most famous for acting in films like Disney’s Tron: Legacy reboot and Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell, she has increasingly moved to directing in recent years, and a DC movie would be a big step up in terms of scope. Her first movie, Booksmart, starred Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever and was marketed as a feminist coming-of-age comedy; the film ended up being a sleeper hit (grossing $25 million against a $6 million budget) and was widely acclaimed. However, her more recent film Don’t Worry Darling has been so embroiled in off-screen drama that it has pretty much eclipsed the film itself.
However, despite the negative press regarding the romantic relationship between Olivia Wilde and co-star Harry Style, the working relationship between Olivia Wilde and co-star Florence Pugh, and the former relationship between Olivia Wilde and Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, Don’t Worry Darling has actually done surprisingly well, grossing $83 million at the box office. Presumably, that makes Olivia Wilde a more intriguing prospect for Warner Bros. Discovery to attach her to a DC film. It also is very possible that DC Studios might be looking to emulate its rival Marvel Studios by enlisting more idiosyncratic filmmakers for its big-budget movies.
Although there has been consistent grumbling that most Marvel Cinematic Universe films end up looking and feeling similar due to Disney’s interference (or the fact that they’re all supposed to take place in the same universe, hence a cohesive tone), Marvel Studios has actually actively pursued directors known for distinctive voices like Taika Waititi, Shane Black, and Chloe Zhao. It would not be surprising if Olivia Wilde were being recruited by DC Studios for similar reasons, especially considering James Gunn (formerly one of those maverick Marvel directors) has just been announced as co-chair of the production company.
The question remains of what film Olivia Wilde might potentially helm for DC Studios. Although the now-defunct DC Films once had an ambitious slate of film and television projects ahead of it, the recent summer of abrupt cancellations has left it up in the air as to what is still in development. Olivia Wilde is known for female-led films, so it is possible that DC is looking to pair her with either a new Birds of Prey movie or possibly the Gotham Sirens project that could still be around. Until we hear more, we shall just have to speculate what DC Universe films might still get made.
