The Dos and Don'ts Of Bringing Wonder Woman to the Big Screen
Nick Nadel's Tuesday column examines the increasingly busy intersection between comic books and the movies.
What does it say about our society that Blade has three cinematic outings under his vampire-slaying belt, while Wonder Woman has zero? Shouldn't we have a Wonder Woman movie by now? Why is she so difficult to bring to the big screen? It's certainly not for lack of trying: Everyone from Aaron Spelling to Joss Whedon has attempted a movie adaptation. (Spelling's proposed project, starring Raquel Welch, would've no doubt resulted in a kitschfest of near lethal proportions.) Whedon's departure caused massive weeping in geek circles (you'd be hard pressed to find a writer-director better suited to the character), but the possibility of a Wachowski Bros directed film has reignited interest in the Amazonian warrior-princess. Before they botch things up, let's take a look at the "dos and don'ts" of bringing Wonder Woman to the big screen.
Skip the Origin Story
Unlike Batman or Superman, Wonder Woman's backstory is sort of a mess. First of all, if you're going to follow her comic book origin to the letter, she has to be molded from magic clay. There's no way that's gonna fly in a movie. So let's just skip the creation myth and get right to the action: Diana Prince juggles her duel life as a government agent and a world-renowned superhero, while also balancing her responsibilities to her Amazonian heritage. Nix her rather lame rogues gallery (is anyone really dying to see Cheetah on film?), and make the enemy a militant faction of the Amazons set on overthrowing our patriarchal society. Throw in a romantic relationship with fellow agent Steve Trevor, and you're off to a good start.
Check out the Recent Comics
One of the problems Joss Whedon encountered while attempting his take on WW was the lack of definitive comic book stories. There is neither a Batman: Killing Joke nor a "Death of Gwen Stacy" to give screenwriters inspiration. Until recently, the only readable Wonder Woman comics were from George Perez's late '80s run on the title. Gail Simone, the first female writer to tackle the character on a monthly basis, is currently writing stories that should also stand the test of time. Streamlined and action-heavy, her work gets to the core of the character. Ditch the World War II-era take of the recent script, and just adapt a few of these refreshing tales.
Comic book writer William Moulton Marston had a hand in inventing a real-life lie detector, which explains why his character Wonder Woman carries a magic lasso that forces whomever it catches to tell the truth. (Marston was also an early proponent of bondage and polyamorous relationships, if you're the type who likes to read into the symbolism.) The infamous invisible jet, on the other hand? Follow the lead of recent comics, and just let Wonder Woman fly on her own.Give Her Pants
Honestly, the fact that the most beloved superheroine of all time is still parading around in a leotard is beyond embarrassing. (Her outfit got even skimpier over the years, as she originally wore a star-spangled skirt.) Wonder Woman is a warrior, and should wear an outfit befitting her status. (She needs a breastplate that isn't just a cleavage-conveyance system.) A recent fan contest produced some excellent costume redesigns for the character, updating a look that has remained in stasis for far too long. Wonder Woman doesn't have to wear a powersuit, but please let her put on some pants. Or at least a pair of leggings. When not writing, Nick Nadel is in line at the comic book store alongside the other geeks, er, fans of speculative fiction. His most prized possession is a 1960s Batman comic wherein the Dynamic Duo are trapped inside a fortune cookie factory. He lives in Brooklyn and updates his aptly named website (nicknadel.com) with comedy writing and videos.
Good article. I enjoyed it even though I have not been a WW reader in the past, except for the Perez run you mentioned. That man is legendary.
I think that Greg Rucka's "The Hiketaia" WW GN would make an absolutely astounding WW starter film - plenty of stuff to illuminate the backstory without going totally origin, plus a knock-down-drag-out fight between WW & Batman over an extremely morally difficult issue. (Especially great if you could get Christopher Bale to reprise his Batman!)
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Good idea on Rucka's story, Pym. I also think one of the best depictions of the character was in Darwyn Cooke's "New Frontier." He captured her warrior aspect, regal stature, and drew a truly classic and iconic costume. Also, if whoever ends up making the Wonder Woman movie insists on using the invisible jet, they should rip-off the scene in "New Frontier" where WW lands the jet while injured, her blood outlining it in the sky.
Nick, Nick, Nick, what in the HELL is WRONG with you?!! I mean, COME ON!! Nix the whole WW origin story, particularly around her having been sculpted in clay and breathed life into by the Greek and Roman Gods?!! She's WONDER WOMAN for Cripessake! OF COURSE you include that! It sets up some of the mythology.
And give her pants?!! PANTS?!!! COME ON! You're KILLING ME!!! Look how well changing her look went during I-Ching days in the late 60's when she ditched her star-spangled costume for a more "practical" white karate jumpsuit. Or how about Cathy Lee Crosby's WW in pants look? YIKES!! What a mess!! Not to mention she didn't posses any of the magic accoutraments associated with WW (i.e., magic bracelets, golden lasso, boomerang tiara, etc.,)?
And what's this you want to get rid of the invisible jet?! Please, if done properly, that thing could have a spin off film of it's own some day!
And you want to get rid of her rouges gallery?! She's got some of THE MOST kick-ass villians around: Silver Swan, Dr. Poison, Dr. Psycho, Circe, Ares, etc.,).
Anything else you'd like to get rid of?! Why not just make her a guy while you're at it, from New Jersey who wears lots of pants, and solves crimes on his off hours from Starbucks?!
The bottom line is, if you're not that invested in the character, which it sounds like you aren't, then you really should leave the comments to yourself. Because if some studio head were to produce a film based on your aforementioned recommendations, we'd have another Halle Barry "Catwoman" on our hands!! ME-OUCH!!!
Of course I'm joking about the pants. No one wants to give her pants. Some thigh-high boots like the winning design in this Wonder Woman costume contest on the other hand?
http://www.tencentticker.com/projectrooftop/2007/11/26/wonder-woman-wardrobe-war-winners/
The costume needs be updated for the movie, plain and simple. Her costume gets updated in the comics every few years (they've given her capes, armor, etc), so it would make sense for the movie. I'm all about giving her a little dignity, as are the inventive artists in that contest.
See my above reply for thoughts on the Invisible Jet. If they do use it, they have to lift Darwyn Cooke's excellent scene from "New Frontier." Though I'm sure any film will just have her pilot a sleek jet that has a cloaking device. If you don't see her sitting campily in the cockpit of an invisible plane, what's the point? But really, just let her fly. She flies in the comics these days.
I don't mean change her origin, I mean skip it entirely for the first film. Origin stories are becoming routine for comic book films these days. It's getting dull. Jump right into her world, set up who she is, and save the sculpted with magic clay stuff for the next film. Though, my point is, there are a lot of dated elements in Wonder Woman's origin that will mean nothing to today's audience. A Wonder Woman movie is fighting an uphill battle as it is (the prevailing notion in Hollywood that teenage boys don't care about the character), and revising a few story elements will only help. (Let's face it, Wonder Woman is the only DC superhero invented by a psychologist to make statements about feminine power. The only reason she carries a magic truth-telling lasso to this day is because creator William Moulton Marston helped to invent the lie detector. No other major character in the DC stable is saddled with so much dated baggage.)
Bless you for liking her Rogues Gallery. I supposed Dr. Psycho is neat. But Cheetah? I don't want to see that character on film. Now that would be campier than the Halle Berry Catwoman.