It’s not surprising to learnthat DC Studios is developinga newWonder Womanfilm, as the new cinematic universe would want to take advantage of one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. A new take on Diana Prince’s story will also allowJames Gunn’s franchise to help correct some of the errors that were made in the DCEU version. The firstWonder Womanfilm suffered from the same gloomy visuals of theZack Snyderfilms, andWonder Woman 1984was a tonal disaster that committed to a ridiculous “wishing well” storyline. Nonetheless,Patty Jenkins’ films nailed their depiction of the Amazons and Themyscira, which is something that Gunn’s interpretation will want to replicate.
Themyscira is the remote island nation in which the Amazons reside, as they are relatively secluded from the rest of mankind. Although the depiction of the Amazons and their interactions with real-world events have changed dramatically over the years, they have been an integral part of DC Comics since the 1940s. Focusing on Themyscira and the other Amazon warriors isn’t just important in defining what makes Diana a hero, as it also allows the DCU tointroduce more exciting female characters.
The Amazons Are Important to Wonder Woman’s Story
Wonder Woman is one of the few superheroes who would benefit from another origin film, as her story has not been told so many times that the audience knows it by heart. While the destruction of Krypton and the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents have been depicted several times, Jenkins’ film offered just one interpretation of why Dianawas of such great importance to the Amazons, and what events drew her to intervene in mankind. It’s clear that Gunn’s universe is very different from the DCEU, as the Green Lanterns and Creature Commandos have already operated in a universe that is familiar with supernatural beings. Showing the Amazons’ reaction to these other factions may allow Gunn’s take on the Wonder Woman story to be more dynamic when compared to previous versions.
Diana’s training was only briefly explored inWonder Woman, which allows a new version to flesh out the Amazon culture in more detail. AlthoughWonder Womanquickly shifted its focus away from Themyscira as soon asGal Gadot’s Diana went off on an adventure with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), a new film could explore the motivations that the Amazons had for choosing to remain reclusive. AlthoughRobin WrightandConnie Brittongave good performances as Antiope and Hippolyta, respectively,these are characters with a rich historyin the comics that could benefit from being given more to do.
Katy O’Brian’s Performance in ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ Proves Why She Should Be the DC’s Next Wonder Woman
Her role in A24’s crime thriller opposite Kristen Stewart is proof.
Exploring a unique society and culture within a larger franchiseis important in helping standalone superhero stories feel exciting to audiences, as they offer something different. TheThorfilms benefited from their depiction of Asgard and its ancient ways, and theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogyshowcased further regions of spacethat have not otherwise been explored in the comic book canon. So far,Peacemaker,Creature Commandos, and the upcomingSupermanhave all taken place on a familiar version of Earth, and thus, a newWonder Womanfilm could succeed in giving new fans a different opportunity to engage with the franchise.
The DCU Needs To Focus on Worldbuilding
The DCU needs a diversification of genres to be an exciting cinematic universe.Supermanappears to be inspired by classic sci-fi serials,Clayfaceseems pitched as a more horror-centric story,Peacemakeris a more light-hearted action-comedy, and the impendingSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowlooks to be a more robust space opera. The Amazons and Themyscira are strongly connected to high fantasy and would likely allow the DCU to include allusions to mythology. Themyscira also has the benefit of being an ancient civilization, allowing the DCUto build an entire fictional historythat makes the universe feel more lived-in.
A focus on the female-fronted Amazon society gives the DCU the opportunity to address feminismin a way inherent to the story, which has long been a hurdle that superhero franchises have faced. There has yet to be a woman hired to direct a DCU film, as whileSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowis set to introduceMilly Alcockas the titular heroine, it is directed by a man,Craig Gillespie. It’s more than likely that Wonder Woman will interact with other DCU heroes, but a film centered around Themyscira would have to examine the benefits of an entirely female government, military, and culture. By showing the values that Diana learned from her home, the DCU is given the opportunity to identify the virtues she might bring to the rest of the universe.Having a female director tell this storyis an absolute necessity.
The DCU does not need to rush to a team-up movie, as the primary issue that the DCEU faced was that it developed films likeBatman v. Superman: Dawn of JusticeandJustice Leaguewithout a strong foundation in its characters. In order to ensure that the new actress cast as Wonder Woman can be the definitive version of a character that has been beloved for generations, the DCU would be savvy tospend time with her people and culturebefore inserting her into an alliance with other superheroes.
