Director Ava DuVernay begins working on DC’s upcoming New Gods movie by picking up a copy of New Gods #1. Following her first big-budget in Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time, the 45-year-old continues building up her portfolio with another big-budget film, this time with Warner Bros. and DC Films’ adaptation of the Jack Kirby brainchild from the ’70s.

One of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood right now, DuVernay received offers to direct a Star Wars installment and Marvel’s Black Panther, turning down both since she isn’t interested in those franchises. But it turns out, the filmmaker is already being lined up to direct DC’s New Gods movie adaptation. Announced just last week, the Selma helmer is already starting her work now, despite the fact that the project is still on the hunt for a screenwriter.

Taking to her official Instagram account via Stories, DuVernay posted a page from The New Gods #1. The New Gods #1, which was released in February 1971, introduced the titular heroes who are natives of the planets New Genesis, ruled by Highfather, and Apokolips, ruled by Darkseid - two worlds which differ significantly. While the former boasts an unspoiled environment, the latter suffers from polluted lands filled with machinery and fire pits. Originally part of a single planet called Urgrund, the split was brought about by the Ragnarok that took place a millennia ago. The issue marked the first appearance of Darkseid’s son Orion, who battled his father to save the lives of people on Earth and Metron - an independent entity that normally doesn’t have affiliation with the aforementioned planets. Check out the screen grab below:

Whether DuVernay is using the issue as the main inspiration for her upcoming film or not is unknown. But it makes sense that she would start at the beginning with regard to the history of the New Gods. It’s possible that she’d pick out several plot points from the pioneering story in order to establish that characters, but she could also mine inspiration from succeeding issues as well. This way, the big screen adaptation will both have something to offer for long time print readers who are aware of the full mythos and those who are mainly movie fans.

It’s unclear how or if DuVernay’s New Gods will connect with the existing DCEU mythos. Some sources share that it will, while others say that it will be separate from the main franchise. At this time, both options are viable for Warner Bros. considering that they have a precedent in the unconnected Joker origins story directed by Todd Phillips and produced by Martin Scorsese all geared up for a May production start. On the flipside, having characters like Steppenwolf, Darkseid and Parademons already established figures in their principal film series offers the forthcoming film the entryway to become a factor in the larger narrative.

MORE: Everything You Need To Know About DC’s NEW GODS

Source: Ava Duvernay/Instagram

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