Between WONDER WOMAN’s remarkable reviews and stellar box office total, there was little reason to think the Amazonian (played by Gal Gadot) wouldn’t return for a second solo outing. The sequel already has a December 2019 release date, and director Patty Jenkins is already thinking about stories that will advance the character in a new and bold way. Now that the origin is out of the way, Jenkins assures us the heroine we see in the sequel will be the mighty warrior we know from the comics.
While speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Jenkins brought up how getting to know Diana was what the first film was all about, and now that audiences are all very familiar with her the sequel will be able to showcase the “full-blown” Wonder Woman:
The greatest thing about making this movie was the fact that you’re really building to the Wonder Woman that we all love, but not until the end of the movie. The most exciting thing about [the sequel] is literally seeing her loose in the world now, living those classic stories. Here’s Wonder Woman, and what can she do? It should be a totally different movie, but a grand and now full-blown Wonder Woman in the world.
Last we heard Jenkins was close to finalizing a deal to direct the movie, with talks surrounding a larger paycheck for her this time around. So far the movie has amassed $800 million worldwide, and Warner Bros. is busy prepping a massive Oscar campaign for the movie. Jenkins responded to the news about the awards push, saying it is an “amazing honor” that the studio has that much faith in the movie, and that audiences have responded to it in such a way.
While origin stories always have the benefit of having a reliable story structure, and one that can be tinkered with to deliver something fresh, sequels are where the filmmakers need to find the series’ footing. Even if WONDER WOMAN 2 takes place before JUSTICE LEAGUE (and even BVS), Diana still needs to have the bearing of a more seasoned warrior, given the events of the first movie. Jenkins understands that and is aiming to give us a story that features an even more confident and battle-ready Diana, possibly adapting a more familiar WW story from the comics. She delivered a triumphant comic book movie in WOMAN, and I have faith she can do it again. And I'm not just saying that. Go on, throw the Lasso of Truth on me.
Wonder Woman returns to the fray in JUSTICE LEAGUE November 17.