DC's 'Batgirl' Movie Lures 'Avengers' Director Joss Whedon Away From Marvel

In a major coup for the nascent, shaky DC Extended Universe, The Avengers writer/director Joss Whedon has come on board to write, produce and direct Batgirl. This caliber of talent jumping from Disney's Marvel Studios to Warner Brothers' DC is unprecedented.

"The new project originated in the past month," Variety reports. Whedon is currently the only talent attached. He joins DC directors Zack Snyder, David Ayer, Patty Jenkins and James Wan.

From Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Firefly and Dollhouse, Whedon's work is threaded with feminism and complex female leads. He is also a frequent voice against Hollywood sexism. Batgirl has never had a solo film and has thus far only appeared in a live-action feature in 1997's George Clooney–starring mess Batman & Robin. She'll be DC's second female superhero lead following this June's Wonder Woman. Suicide Squad director David Ayer is also helming the female supervillain flick Gotham City Sirens, with Harley Quinn at its center.