It looks like Sony’s web of spider-heroes just caught an incredibly juicy fly. Deadline reports that Olivia Wilde has been locked in to direct and develop a new film in Sony’s Marvel universe — one that will have a female lead.
Mashable has confirmed Wilde will direct a yet to be named Marvel film, but it’s not yet public exactly which superhero she’ll bring to the silver screen. Even so, it’s a fair bet that it will be someone who’s connected to Spider-Man, considering those are the Marvel characters Sony has the rights to.
Nobody has outright said the Booksmart director will be tackling Spider-Woman, but it’s a pretty fair guess — especially considering Sony’s Madame Web film already has a director in S.J. Clarkson. Though even if it is about Spider-Woman, there are still a few characters it could be about. The most well-known Spider-Woman is former Hydra agent Jessica Drew, but Gwen Stacy has also used the mantle, notably in Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Wilde responded to the report with a simple spider emoji on Twitter.
The untitled film’s production appears to be primarily female-led, with a script written by Booksmart writer Katie Silberman. It will also be produced by Amy Pascal and executive produced by Rachel O’Connor, both of whom worked on Spider-Man: Far From Home.
It should be noted that this film won’t be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so you won’t see Wilde’s spider-hero doing flips alongside Tom Holland. It will likely be part of the separate Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters instead, which includes Tom Hardy’s Venom. Very different Tom, but still good.