The next solo Avenger movie has its director.

Australian director Cate Shortland will helm the Black Widow standalone film for Marvel Studios. In doing so, Shortland will become the second woman to direct a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Anna Boden, director of the upcoming Captain Marvel film, is the first.

Marvel clearly has plenty of faith in Shortland. The entertainment titan reportedly met with over 70 directors during the hiring process. Hiring a female director remained a priority throughout the process, and Shortland proved to be the most deserving of the chance to helm Black Widow.

Shortland has directed only four films, but each has received multiple accolades. Her first film, Somersault, swept the Australian Film Institute Awards in 2004. Following TV movie The Silence, she co-wrote and directed the World War II film Lore. Lore received international acclaim and netted 19 different international awards. She followed up that critical darling by adapting the psychological horror film Berlin Syndrome.

Shortland’s strong track record in character-driven films leads to optimism for an excellent Black Widow film. Many directors have faltered under the pressure of delivering on a nine-figure budget, however. Her talents become apparent as soon as you watch one of her films, and talent tends to win out.

The film found its screenwriter almost exactly six months ago in Jac Schaeffer. Schaeffer directed and wrote TiMER, and also wrote the upcoming Dirty Rotten Scoundrels remake The Hustle. Black Widow will be the first Marvel film to be directed and written exclusively by women. (Captain Marvel employed seven screenwriters, six of whom are female.) Coupled with the decision to hire only female directors for Jessica Jones, Marvel appears committed to promoting diversity within their ranks.

Are you happy with the selection of Shortland to direct Black Widow? When do you expect the film to take place? Let us know in the comments, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more entertainment updates!