Wondering About Wonder Woman…

Written by Asia Martin

October’s biggest treat was Warner Bros. revealing, what looks to be, a well-played hand of upcoming DC movies. What’s generating buzz is the diversity of lead characters emerging on to the big screen like Cyborg (2020) and Wonder Woman (2017). But with Wonder Woman’s debut soon approaching, we’ll focus on her big screen debut.

Our first sighting of Wonder Woman will come in 2016 in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice with Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the legendary Amazonian. Gadot has also been confirmed for the Wonder Woman stand-alone film too, which she turned down a lead-role in Paramount and MGM’s remake of Ben-Hur (2016) for.

Gadot’s resume to play Diana Prince is legit. She’s been in action films like Fast & Furious series and she’s a former soldier of the Israel Defense Forces. It’s evident she can hold her own in a fight scene. As for the vain aesthetic requirements: she’s a certified international beauty as a former competitor in the Miss Universe pageant, she’s 5’9 just like Lynda Carter, and she’s not afraid to put on some serious muscle.

Diana won’t have the origins you might have expected where she was made of clay and then brought to life with the souls of murdered women. Producer Charles Roven has admitted that Wonder Woman is a demigod – another child of Zeus. I’m not too happy with this aspect, but I understand that DC movies are basing their movies with more science than magic to keep their heroes grounded.

Along with the excitement of America’s favorite heroine come notable villains who we’re pining to see Wonder Woman defend the world against, or maybe propel into their fate of evil. I’m sure WB will have a few female villains (mainly Diana’s evil half-siblings from the “New 52” series), but I’m rooting for a showdown with Egg Fu.

This villain’s presence might be too soon. Egg Fu may be saved for the Justice League sequels because of his connection to Apokolips, a place that can only be reached with highly advanced technology for the gods, or a Lantern power ring. If not Egg Fu, then I’m sure Cheetah, Alkyone, or Medusa will follow Diana to the big screen.

I’m looking forward to Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice so we can get a heads up on what we’re in for with Wonder Woman.

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo! Which Director Will Get The Go… for Wonder Woman?

All casting aside, let’s get to the important job up ahead: who’s going to direct Wonder Woman with a 2017 release date? Forbes released a list of viable female candidates that will take on the task of making a female-lead super heroine action picture that cannot remind us of Catwoman or Elektra, or won’t confirm the stigma that audiences won’t go see an action movie that stars women. Oh yes, this incoming director has a lot on her shoulders right out of the gate. Let’s see which current female directors are most qualified for Wonder Woman.

Catherine Hardwick — Twilight, Red Riding Hood:

If Warner Bros. were sticking to the original birth story of Diana Prince that includes more fantasy and less science, then Catherine Hardwick would be good to go. But that’s not the case. Hardwick is good at incorporating more camaraderie and affection than action. Warner Bros. wants to feed the action appetite of fans.

Mimi Leder — Deep Impact, The Leftovers:

Leder delivered Deep Impact beautifully with a great balance of drama, sci-fi and action. Wonder Woman’s life story is a balance of those three things, but Leder hasn’t done a superhero flick before, which makes me a tad bit nervous.

Julie Taymor — The Tempest:

The good thing about Taymor is that she has directed a female lead for a masculine character, which can be applied to Wonder Woman. However, she seems more inclined to direct films that are a bit more fantastical and theatrical (she is an acclaimed theater director remember). Like Hardwick, she could do more for Diana’s clay origins than the demigod version. Even then, her filmography is light compared to her peers.

Karyn Kusama — Aeon Flux, Jennifer’s Body:

This woman has a resume tailored for a heroine flick. She’s worked with female leads that fit the tender toughness of Wonder Woman, and she has experience with action and sci-fi. Kusama is a good candidate, but I do consider the critical ratings for her most known films, and that they have not been box office successes.

Michelle MacLaren — Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead:

MacLaren has an Emmy for projects that are action-packed every episode, a success in their respective industry or genre, and she can direct strong female leads. Another good aspect is that she’s not shy of blood and guts and dirty fight scenes, which Wonder Woman should have.

Tricia Brock — The Walking Dead, Community:

Her pro is that she chooses to direct television shows with strong female characters. The con with her filmography is that she is pretty scattered, and it’s hard to pinpoint a production that started a trend or increased viewers because of her skills.

Kathryn Bigelow  — Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt Locker:

She’s won an Oscar! Well, that makes her a solid candidate already. Her credentials are what I hope would influence Wonder Woman’s reboot. Bigelow has worked on films about soldiers, an aspect that could help audiences get to know Wonder Woman as an Amazon warrior first and Wonder Woman second.

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Asia Martin is a staff writer for Pop-Break covering TV shows and movies that make her laugh or cringe. She spends most of her daytime hours assisting Hurricane Sandy relief at The Children’s Home Society of NJ, yes people are still in need. In her spare time, she runs her own social media management business, Rising Dynamics, LLC and freelance writes. Asia is a graduate of Rutgers University with a major in Journalism and Media Studies. She loves superhero cartoons, films and Comic Con but continuously skips out on comic books #sorrybutnotsorry Follow Asia on Twitter: @ColoredIn
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