Ava DuVernay Is Joining The DC Extended Universe & Fans Couldn't Be More Excited

Right on the cusp of celebrating the premiere of Disney's A Wrinkle in Time and all of its wonder, director Ava DuVernay is gearing up to helm her next fantasy smash. On Thursday, March 15, Variety reported DuVernay is directing the DC Extended Universe's New Gods, the film adaptation of the franchise's comic book hit. And fans on Twitter could not be more excited.

At this point, no one should be questioning what the filmmaker can do, because each time DuVernay is presented with a new opportunity, she totally delivers. The Compton native doesn't have a film school background, and she didn't pick up a camera until the age of 32. But with her love for films and a unique eye in tow, she's been able to make some of the most talked about and critically acclaimed projects in recent years. From the 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma to her award-winning Netflix documentary 13th, and, now, even to Disney's A Wrinkle In Time, the filmmaker has curated some pretty amazing film experiences, and fans are waiting with bated breath to see what else she has coming down the pipeline.

DuVernay's newest project makes her the second woman after DCWonder Woman's Patty Jenkins, and first black woman to helm a film of a major superhero franchise. And seriously, go ahead a break out those champagne flutes now, because it's time to celebrate DuVernay breaking so many glass ceilings.

In a Dec. 27 tweet, the filmmaker may have hinted about her next directing project while responding to a fan in an #AskAva conversation. When asked who her favorite superhero was, DuVernay tweeted, "Gosh, that's hard. Big Barda. Many reasons." And at very least one of those "many reasons" is absolutely clear today.

Just three months in, and 2018 is already showing itself to be the year of iconic films. DuVernay's friend and fellow history-making filmmaker Ryan Coogler smashed the box office with his February hit Black Panther, garnering a record-breaking $241.96 million in a four-day weekend opening. DuVernay, as well as fans all over the internet, has expressed time and time again just how proud she is of the Oakland native. And when it came to giving DuVernay her praises, Coogler definitely returned the sentiment — penning a very sweet letter to his friend and "big sister."

According to DuVernay, the two filmmakers edited their first major motion pictures directly across the hall from one another in the Disney studios. And so, the cultural relevance and success that both of their films are experiencing today has to mean a great deal to the friends' bond.

Now with DuVernay helming a project with the DC Extended Universe, however — a rival to that of Marvel — there may be some friendly and hilarious competition brewing between them. Not to say that fans should expect to see Coogler engaging DuVernay in Twitter banter anytime soon, seeing as Coogler is known for keeping a very low profile, and nixing social media platforms altogether. But, that doesn't mean that they won't take playful jabs at each other in coming interviews.

All in all, there's no doubt that Coogler is as proud of his friend and colleague as the rest of the internet is right now. DuVernay is definitely a wonder woman in her own right, and seeing her achieve what some may have deemed as "impossible" before is inspiring so many to get out there and do the same.

Here's to hoping that DuVernay loops DC fans in on the creative process just as she has done with Wrinkle, because when going off her track record, New Gods is bound to be an experience.