Marvel gets female director for Black Widow film

Berlin Syndrome director Cate Shortland has been tapped to direct Marvel's Black Widow standalone film, which stars Scarlett Johansson.The news has been confirmed by several sources. 

The film has been in development for a while, but picked up momentum in January when Jac Schaeffer was tapped to pen the script. Kevin Feige is producing the project.

Marvel has not made any official announcement yet. The studio met with more than 70 filmmakers before landing on Shortland, who sources say was an early favourite after a promising meeting with Johansson.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, including whether the film will be an origin tale.