I want my 'Wonder Woman' movie!
Editor's note: Erika D. Peterman is a Florida-based writer and editor, and the co-creator of the comics blog Girls-Gone-Geek.com.
Ask someone unfamiliar with comic books to name three superheroes, and chances are that they’ll mention Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman — arguably the most iconic representatives of the capes genre. Until very recently, it was far less likely that the average person would have cited or even considered Green Lantern.
So it would stand to reason that Wonder Woman, who has been a major part of the DC Universe since 1941, would get the big-screen treatment long before a second-tier character that only recently entered the general public consciousness. Yet, Hal Jordan made it to Hollywood first and already has a sequel in the works. Amazon Princess Diana can’t even get a live-action TV show off the ground.
It’s bad enough that Wonder Woman has consistently received second-class-citizen treatment compared to her alleged equals. The Man of Steel and the Dark Knight have had several major motion pictures across several generations, with more on the way. Wonder Woman’s last big moment outside of comics was when Lynda Carter donned the costume in the ’70s. Not to harp on Green Lantern, who is perfectly OK, but it’s ludicrous that he’s the star of a franchise while there’s still no Wonder Woman film in sight.
Whether on message boards or in conversations with other comic book readers, we’ve heard several theories about why this project hasn’t happened, despite some well-documented attempts to make it so. Out of sheer frustration, we’re going to address them, as well as other things that could be behind the foot-dragging.
The Story
More than once, I’ve seen Wonder Woman referred to as a boring character who doesn’t have enough good story material to draw upon. Not true. Several authors, notably George Perez, Greg Rucka and Gail Simone, have created compelling stories based on Diana’s Greek mythology-based origin. She’s been presented as an innocent newcomer to Man’s World, a misunderstood, peace-loving warrior (an interesting contradiction) and a hero adrift after forsaking her own gods. Her comic book history has been uneven, but it’s hard to believe that no one can come up with a winning script from decades of storytelling.
The Appeal
Even in 2011, some consider a big-budget action movie with a female lead to be a risky proposition. But if people won’t pay 10 bucks to see one, why is a Tomb Raider reboot in the works? A film about an iconic superheroine with awe-inspiring powers is hardly a tough sell. If the script and the buzz are good enough, it’s a safe bet that people will line up. Imagine the bullets ricocheting off of her bracelets in 3-D!
The Actress
Granted, Wonder Woman has large boots to fill. She’s a regal, statuesque princess with goddess-given beauty. But if a studio can find someone to play an idealized character like Twilight’s Edward Cullen — or Superman, for that matter — surely there is a dazzling unknown with the right look and the acting chops to play Wonder Woman. Catherine Zeta-Jones would have been perfect 15 years ago, and she’d still be wonderful as Diana’s ageless mother, Queen Hippolyta. The point is, she’s out there if a studio is willing to look.
The Costume
Wonder Woman’s famous wardrobe change from star-spangled briefs to dark pants earlier this year was a nod to modernity and practicality. Though we liked the briefs, going with pants might be one way to address the concern about her outfit being dated or looking campy. Bright, primary-colored costumes are tricky to adapt for the screen because they have to be instantly recognizable without coming off as silly. However, it’s probably easier for an actress to get away with wearing a patriotic bathing suit if she has the right presence. Even today, Christopher Reeve looks commanding in a late 1970s interpretation of Superman’s costume. Why? Because he was so utterly perfect for the role.
The 2009 direct-to-DVD, animated Wonder Woman movie was very well done, but it’s just not the same — especially when so many other superheroes are starring in cartoon movies and TV shows, and live-action films. If you want proof of the demand, just look around the Internet, where her fans have created their own movie posters and consistently expressed a desire to see Diana’s story in theaters. Even Beyonce wants in, saying she’d be happy to wear the tiara.
Summer 2011 yielded a film feast for comic book fans, and next year is shaping up to be even better. But as long as Wonder Woman’s invisible jet is idling on the runway, there will always be something missing.
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Just on the role, I think Lynn Collins would be a great choice. She's already had a "wonder woman like" role in John Carter (princess deisha thores and princess Diana of themescara, uncanny in similarities). She does have the acting experience and definitely knows how to be soft and feminine (wolverine origins) and knows how to be a warrior princess (John carter) . Not to mention she had great musculature tone in John Carter without looking like a bodybuilder. Gina Carrano would be a good choice as well, just after LC...(not Linda Carter...but another "LC" name, another uncanny coincidence).
Considering how many times they got nailed for lead paint and vaorius other recalls in the year, Mattel doesn't deserve anything.And honestly, looking at their lines of toys they haven't done anything nostalgic or innovative. And their lines that do include figures have some pretty poor articulation.Granted, their DCU and some of the others look nice, but that's a small segment when compared to hasbro's releases for 2008
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I just saw A condensed version of the NBC Wonder Woman pilot on another web site and I have to say this about it. PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWUUUUUUUEEE,IT STINKS. Mr David E. Kelly may know how to make shows about lawers and corprate types. But he dosen't know A thing about comic book superheros. The way he potrayed her all that was missing was her red hair pulled into A ponytail. Thats right he gave Diana the personalty of her friend Artimes,agressive,warlike,and just downright nasty.Tthat is not how she was in all her old comics so next time please get it right.
These people have no idea that Wonder Woman movie will make them money. All generations will go out to watch Wonder Woman at the theater. People are not excited to see Batman and Superman anymore. There are several releases of these movies already.
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Hi it 's me agin with A queston,whats up with Joss Weadon. It seemed like he never realy cared about the Wonder Woman movie. He sat around for almost seven years no script,no casting and making promises. Then WB cancled his lease on W.W. and he said they wouldn,t support him. Now he's all over the internet trying to sell everybody on his idea for A Wonder Woman movie.
Hi just read the Wonder Woman is A go to be released 2015. THREE YEARS WE HAVE TO WAIT THREE YEARS FOR PEETS SAKE LUCAS OR SPEILBERG COULD MAKE TWO MOVIES IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME. HELL JOHN FORD COULD HAVE THREE MOVIES MADE IN THAT TIME FRAME. IT'S GOING TO TAKE THREE YEARS TO GET W.W. MOVIE ON THE SCREEN. I will now step down off my soap box but realy why is it going to take three years. If somebody knows please tell us after all we have been trying since 1995 to get A movie going.
I want that movie relised sooooon as possible 🙂
Traci Dinwiddie would rock the role as Wonder Woman. She has a diversity of experience and the look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoBFPMuT1tM
Just heard there may be A new problem in getting A Wonder Woman movie. NBC Universal is saying they have A copyright on Wonder Woman. Does this mean they can block any new movies or TV shows. I thought they leased W.W. from DC Comics and the lease got cancled because they didn't show the TV movie. Anybody got better handle on this.
Apropos of nothing, except maybe continuing my earlier post about how WW doesn't have an iconic villain...
...WW's other problem is her characterization. Superman is...Kal-El of Krypton – the Big Blue Boy Scout. Batman is the Batman. Spider-man is the wise-cracking victim of radiation (or mutagenic) poisoning. There have been variations over the decades, but they've never strayed far from their basic personality or backstory.
WW has been all over the place. She's been the personification of love & compassion; a diplomat; a ruthless warrior; a 60s modiste, etc., etc. DC hasn't been able to figure her out in 70 years, and consequently we have all these different versions, visions, interpretations...call them what you will. And each is favoured by some segment of fandom. Well, maybe not the Mod Squad knock off...(dons fire-retardant protective gear).
One problem anyone making a WW movie is going to face is picking which of WWs many personalities they're going to put on the screen. They can pick one, maybe two – a primary and a secondary. But whichever ones they pick, they're going to disappoint (or even piss off) a large segment of their fan base. And some of these will decide they don't want to see a movie that doesn't have "their" Diana in it.
So, for the record...she's not "your" Diana. She's not "our" Wonder Woman. She is the Wonder Woman of whomever happens to be in charge of the production. You can agree with that person, or disagree – everyone is entitled to their opinion. But, in order to facilitate a WW movie, there should be some kind of petition or something, being signed by fans who a) want a WW movie; b) guarantee that they will buy at least one ticket to see it; and c) guarantee that they will suspend judgment on the interpretation of Diana until they see the movie.
It couldn't hurt. And if you get something like half a milllion signatures on it, you might just convince a studio executive to take a shot at this – they just got a guaranteed $5 million in domestic ticket sales, which probably translates to $80-$100 million when average movie-goers are factored in.
TO JMW you are sooooooooooo right were do I sign the pedtiton