Despite DC's absolutely massive plans for its cinematic universe, there are still a lot of details left up in the air. Some casting announcements have begun to surface, but most of the planned films don't even have actors yet. The same goes for the films' crews: most of DC's major projects don't have directors attached, either. While it's true that many of these films are still years away from entering production, it's not as if DC can sit idly by.

Wonder Woman is one of DC's most anticipated films to date. Fans have been hoping for a standalone Wonder Woman film for years, and DC is finally giving it to them, and while the movie may still be three years away, the first major hurdle may have just been cleared.

According to The Wrap, Warner Bros. and DC are in talks with acclaimed TV director Michelle MacLaren to lead production on Wonder Woman. MacLaren has a long history of success on some of television's biggest shows, and is apparently on DC's short list of potential directors. Her inclusion in the project also matches up with rumors that DC is looking for a female director for the film.

MacLaren isn't some rookie director, either. While most viewers may not know her name, they'll definitely know her work. MacLaren has directed some of the best and most popular episodes of shows like The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Breaking Bad. Her previous works may have been a bit darker in tone than what DC is looking for in Wonder Woman, but directing a film with so many strong female characters shouldn't be much of a stretch for MacLaren.

Of course, as with all rumors, Warner Bros. has declined to comment. At this point, there's really no way of knowing if MacLaren will indeed join the production; Kathryn Bigelow, Julie Taymor and Tricia Brock are also supposedly on DC's short list, though Warner Bros. did mention that the studio isn't looking exclusively to women to direct the film.

MacLaren certainly has the credentials to work on something like Wonder Woman: she's got an extremely strong track record, and DC needs Wonder Woman to be a success. The Amazonian warrior is one of the biggest characters in DC's planned Justice League story arc, and serves as one of the major cornerstones of the company. In other words, the film cannot fail.

Wonder Woman is set to hit theaters sometime in early 2017.

Photo: DC Comics