*Please note that this article is an opinion-editorial.
With all of the buzz, speculation, and anticipation for the forthcoming Wonder Woman feature film, you can be sure we’ll be keeping a watchful eye here at
Wonder Woman Wednesday as news unfolds. I mean, it doesn’t even come out ’till 2017, but it’s never too early to start buzzing when it comes to Wonder Woman, especially when this is, unbelievably, the first crack the Amazon Princess has had at the big screen.
I believe the closest we got – and perhaps the biggest tease, since Adam Hughes’ ill-fated All-Star Wonder Woman series never saw the light of day – was when Joss Whedon was set to bring 1/3 of DC’s Holy trinity to celluloid. Yes, my friends, the same Joss Whedon who brought us the cult hit, Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series. And, the same Joss Whedon who most recently destroyed box office records with the second installment of Marvel Studios’ Avengers franchise, Age of Utron. After difficulty making Wonder Woman camera ready, Whedon bowed out, unable to come up with a script he was happy with. Merciful Minerva! If a wunderkind writer/director like Whedon couldn’t pull it off, what hope did anyone else have? Perhaps Circe has put a curse on Wonder Woman’s future in Hollywood? That, I fear, remains to be seen.
Without warning, perhaps in retaliation to Marvel’s mega success with films like Iron Man, Captain America, Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy, DC released Superman’s return to the big screen with Man of Steel, making bank at the box office while receiving mixed reviews and critical fan response. A sequel was announced in Batman V Superman with Ben Affleck cast to play Batman, furthering fan outrage. In a further effort to keep up with its main rival, DC announced a slew of films based on their properties, including Suicide Squad, Justice League, and, finally, Wonder Woman. Yes, Wonder Woman. That’s the good news. And, the bad news.
As introduced in Batman V Superman, Wonder Woman will be played by relative unknown actress Gal Gadot, perhaps best known for her role in The Fast and the Furious.
Fan response was lukewarm, and, frankly, I’m skeptical myself. She certainly no where near matches the majesty of Wonder Woman Lynda Carter, so effortlessly harnessed in the iconic ’70s television series. But, in honor of the benevolent spirit of Wonder Woman herself, I am willing to give a Gal a chance, as long as she doesn’t mess it up!
With a couple of rotating directors, Wonder Woman isn’t off to a great start. We went from Michelle MacLaren, known for her ties to Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones to Patty Jenkins, the director tied to Entourage and Monster, the film that garnered Charlize Theron an Oscar win. So, we get an epic warrior that cooks meth or a hipster douchebag lesbian serial killer? Now, that would be an interesting Wonder Woman! Perhaps better left for the likes of David Lynch or John Waters.
At this point I’m leaving it to Gaea. I’m not excited about the casting of Wonder Woman. Please, please, please make me a believer. I’m left a little cold after Man of Steel. My Superman may be boring, but he doesn’t kill or jeopardize the lives of so many innocents. And, as much as I like Amy Adams, Lois Lane was not in that film.
And, just when you thought you couldn’t get excited about a Wonder Woman film, something exciting happened last week!
It was announced that Chris Pine was in negotiations to play Steve Trevor! Say what? That’s amazing! He’s gorgeous! He’s talented! And, most importantly, he’s blonde! It’s not as set in stone as a pre-New 52 Princess Diana, but it will be exciting, if it happens. My only fear is that as lackluster as Gadot appears to be, Pine will certainly outshine her on screen. Oh well, at least I’ll enjoy some of the movie.
I love Steve Trevor as Wonder Woman’s love interest. I am so happy that Convergence stands to dissolve the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship. As much fan fiction pornography as I am sure that coupling is bound to conjure, it never seemed right. I always liked the dynamic of this ultimate Amazon feminist falling all over herself to please some average guy who may or may not be worthy of her. How painfully part of the human condition is that? It’s called “relatability,” kids. Especially the Lyle Waggoner television and the “pre-Crisis” versions. As much as I liked George Perez’s reboot, I always thought turning Steve Trevor into an old man was a mistake.
So, I suppose we must place our faith in Athena and hope for the best when it comes to the Wonder Woman movie. With so many false starts, there seems to be much riding on this venture. I won’t even get into the time they almost gave the titular role to Sandra Bullock! Phew! Dodged that bullet with a magic bracelet! If nothing else, at least now we have something to “Pine” for.
