What do actors Cate Blanchett, Sean Bean, Eva Green, and a lunchbox have in common? The super heroine Wonder Woman, of course.
Wonder Woman first appeared in comic books in 1941 in All Star Comics #8. She held her own series starting in Sensation Comics #1 and the titular Wonder Woman #1 a year later. Created by American psychologist William Moulton Marston, the Amazing Amazon is considered one of the “Big Three” super heroes in publisher DC Comics’ universe along with Superman and Batman. She is a feminist icon, and she was introduced to popular culture via actress Lynda Carter in the Wonder Woman television series (1975-1979).
Now Wonder Woman is slated to make her first live movie appearance in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice next year. Actress Gal Gadot will be playing the super-powered Amazon. Fans like yours truly, though, are keenly interested in her solo movie, Wonder Woman, which is scheduled to hit theaters in 2017.
Actor Chris Pine (Star Trek, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) has officially signed up for the solo movie. He’ll be playing Steve Trevor, who is Wondy’s main squeeze, and a WW staple since 1941.
Production of the film, for which details had been murky until now, has been announced to start this November. Also Michelle Maclaren, whom we previously reported was set to direct, seems now to have been replaced by Monster director Patty Jenkins.
From producer Deborah Snyder:
“We still wanted a female director and we found Patty Jenkins, who had the right vision and the same vision that we had for the character. We’re really happy that we’re going to be going into production in November, it’s been a really great process. We’ve tried to hire as many female members of the crew as possible.”
More casting news is emerging as well. Actress Cate Blanchett, who played the elven co-ruler Galadriel in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, was rumored to be at a recent Wonder Woman audition by comedian Bryan Callen;
I auditioned for Wonder Woman, which is shooting in England. I had to play a Scotsman. The director is a good friend of mine, and she didn’t even call me. I’ll tell you where she is, she is in London with Chris Pine and with a couple of other really famous actors, like Cate Blanchett…
It’s unknown what role she’ll be playing, though WW’s mother Queen Hippolyta is a popular guess.
Another Lord of the Rings alum and human spoiler alert, Sean Bean is rumored to have been approached for the movie. He would play Ares, the Greek god of War. This wouldn’t be the first time the Game of Thrones star has played a deity; he was Zeus, the King of the Greek Gods, in the first Percy Jackson film. Finally, actress Eva Green (Casino Royale, 300: Rise of an Empire, Penny Dreadful), has also been approached for the role of the sorceress and Wonder Woman foe, Circe.
So it’s looking like the Wonder Woman movie is moving full steam ahead to its 2017 opening. So how does a lunchbox figure in all this? An unnamed school recently sent a letter to the parents of student “Laura” that her Wonder Woman lunchbox violated one of its dress codes. Per the letter:
The dress code we have established request that the children not bring violent images into the building in any fashion – on their clothing (including shoes and socks), backpacks and lunchboxes. We have defined “violent characters” as those who solve problems using violence. Super heroes certain fall into that category.
The lunchbox shows a (definitely peaceful) Wonder Woman with the words, “As Lovely as Aphrodite, As Wise Athena”.
What do you think about the rumored casting choices? Or that Ares and Circe are the main baddies? Good picks? Or a thumb’s down? Leave your answer in the comment section below. As for that lunchbox, I’d hate to be the parent that has to explain to my kids why their lunchbox with American military personnel saluting the flag is “too violent”.
Check out this awesome Wonder Woman Fan Film, watch the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Comic-Con Trailer, and while you’re at it take a look at Five Notably Bad Comic Book Revamps From Superman To Wonder Dog!
Images: DC Comics, New Line Cinema, HBO,
Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros.
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