From Themyscira to a galaxy Far, Far Away, Patty Jenkins continues to make history. The “Wonder Woman” filmmaker is set to become the first woman to helm a “Star Wars” film. She is directing “Rogue Squadron,” which is slated for a Christmas 2023 release, Variety confirms. The news was announced December 10 at the Disney Investor conference.
“Rogue Squadron” will focus on pilots from across the “Star Wars” universe. Jenkins, the daughter of a fighter pilot, spoke of her lifelong goal of making the perfect fighter pilot movie — and how she never found the right project until “Rogue Squadron” came along — in the below video.
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) December 10, 2020
“Yelling to the Sky” director Victoria Mahoney became the first Black woman to direct on a “Star Wars” title. She served as second unit director on last year’s “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.” “Deborah Chow also directed an episode of ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 1, and is helming the upcoming Disney Plus series ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi,'” per Variety.
With “Wonder Woman 1984,” which hits theaters and HBO Max on December 25, Jenkins became the highest-paid female filmmaker ever. Her Diana Prince origin story, “Wonder Woman,” is the highest-grossing film directed by a solo woman director. It brought in over $412 million domestically and more than $821 million worldwide.
A “Cleopatra” biopic starring “Wonder Woman’s” Gal Gadot is among the projects on Jenkins’ slate. The Paramount Pictures film will be penned by Laeta Kalogridis (“Shutter Island”). Jenkins’ other credits include “Monster,” “I Am the Night,” and “The Killing.” She won an Independent Spirit Award for the former and a DGA Award for the latter.
The Disney Investor conference also featured a first look at Disney+’s “Ms. Marvel” series, and word that “Ms. Marvel’s” Iman Vellani and “WandaVision’s” Teyonah Parris would appear in “Captain Marvel 2.” There was also confirmation that “Orphan Black’s” Tatiana Maslany will take on the role of She Hulk, and announcements about an “Enchanted” sequel, “Sister Act 3,” and “Moana” and “Princess and the Frog” spinoff series.
