‘Marvel’s The Defenders’: S.J. Clarkson to Direct First Two Episodes

Announced by Marvel today, Director S.J. Clarkson (Jessica Jones, Orange is the New Black) is to direct the first two episodes of the 2017 Marvel and Netflix series Marvel’s The Defenders. Once more directing for two of the featured characters of the upcoming 8-episode limited series, Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) herself, and Luke Cage (Mike Colter),(‘AKA Crush Syndrome,’ AKA Ladies Night’), having the characters of Daredevil (Charlie Cox), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) along for the initial ride can only mean familiar flow with the promise of new excitement. Acting powerhouse Sigourney Weaver will also join as an as-yet-unnamed villainess.

With Jessica Jones featuring a roster of exclusively women directors in its soon to start shooting second season, it seems that Marvel’s recent agenda leaning towards gender equality  also supports the return of its stellar directing alumni. Both of the episodes Clarkson directed were incredibly human, intimate, and gut wrenching in their own rights. I’m sure more of the same macabre street magic is to come as The Defenders work together to protect New York City.

The story will revolve around four loner heroes that will pull their resources to become stronger as a whole. For those who’ve seen Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Daredevil (which have their first – and where Daredevil is concerned, also second – season available to watch in full on Netflix), imagining these solitary heroic souls working together for the wellbeing of all might sound like a bit of a challenge.

Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeff Loeb seems confident in the choice of Clarkson.

“S.J.’s take on the material is outstanding. …We loved her work on ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones’ and couldn’t think of a more talented and accomplished person to helm the first two episodes of ‘Marvel’s The Defenders.’”

The Defenders will hit Netflix sometime in 2017. 

SOURCE: MARVEL (via CBR)

‘Jessica Jones’: All Women Directors for Season 2

The depiction of rape and sexual violence towards women has been alluded to, and written into storylines for decades, and each time I view such a storyline, I can’t help but overanalyze it with a bit of a racing mind. Being a writer who’s even had some of this particularly damaging imagery in my own stories to help lend a voice to those who need it, I was emotionally eviscerated with relief when Season 1 of ‘Jessica Jones’ took the subject head on.

With its main character of Jessica being a survivor of rape, and outrageously outspoken about everything to nearly a volatile level, the show’s efforts soaked in all the feels and displayed the actions that come with being branded with such a trauma; these include violent outbursts, binge drinking, and distancing one’s self from everyone trying to contain the heartbreak bleed out.

‘Jessica Jones’ showrunner, Melissa Rosenberg announced during her keynote panel at the Transform Hollywood symposium that all 13 episodes of Jessica Jones season 2 will be directed by women. Marvel has had an ongoing initiative to diversify across its media boards, and this is just a fantastic effort in that vein. The maturity level, overall graphic telemetry, social diatribes, and emotional content that Marvel has been pouring into its Netflix offerings is truly impressive. Seeing that reflected behind the cameras is a fitting feather in that extending wingspan.

Rosenberg went on during the panel to speak on being in the industry:

“I think the only reason I’m sitting here is because of tenacity. It’s a tough business. You really have to be able to take a hit… I’ve gotten fired so many times, I can’t even count now… That’s the nature of the business, it’s really hard. You have to be able to pick yourself up and say that tomorrow is going to be better than today.”

Tenacity is that rare savory sting of metallic determination on the palate of any person’s career; once you get a taste for it or of it, you can’t live without it scraping the pages of your life. The character of Jessica Jones is striding towards crafting a better life for herself, moving forward from crushing past events, as JJ season 2 starts filming after ‘The Defenders’ which is set to begin in November of this year. Tomorrow may not be coming today, but it is coming, and that is something beautiful for any survivor out there.

Melissa Rosenberg

SOURCES: SCREENRANT, VARIETY