‘Wonder Woman’ Details Released
In a complete contradiction of its mysterious competitors, Warner Bros. invited reporters to a press event in London last week that was all about Wonder Woman. Now we’re discovering what they learned as an avalanche of news about the upcoming Wonder Woman movie has hit the internet.
First things first, there are a lot of spoilers ahead, so if you want to stay surprised, stop reading now.
Plot Summary
Diana’s story begins in the present day with her working in antiquities at The Louvre. When she receives a 100 year old picture of herself and some soldiers from Bruce Wayne, it catapults her memories back to her childhood on Themyscira.
In an animated CGI scene, we learn the bloody history of the relationship between mankind, the Amazons and the Gods. Following the history lesson, Diana’s childhood is explored. Her mother, Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) is against her training to be a warrior, so her aunt Antiope (Robin Wright) teaches her in secret until she is 15.
Once the secret is out she begins training in full and becomes the most powerful Amazon warrior of all. During a practice fight with Antiope and other Amazons she accidentally discovers her greater powers when she is able to summon a powerful energy blast.
It is the arrival of Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) that brings German soldiers to the island and prompts Diana to escape to 1918 London to help Steve stop a gas attack on allied troops.
There is a fish out of water quality to the story since Diana has never lived in a city with all these new clothes, food and people to explore.
Weapons
Wonder Woman is famous for her bulletproof bracelets and lasso of truth. She uses both of these in the movie while also wielding a shield capable of deflecting missiles and explosions. Perhaps her most unique weapon is the Godkiller sword, which was a gift to the Amazons from Zeus.
All of these items are mystical gifts from the Gods, and are held in the armory on Themyscira. Before she leaves with Steve, Diana steals them to help with her mission.
Tone
It’s no secret fans are split over the right tone of comic book movies. Should they be light-hearted fun like the MCU, or more serious like Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy? According to Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, she received no direct instructions on the film’s tone.
“From my point of view, there is no mandate on tone that I experienced,” Jenkins said. “I think every filmmaker is making their own movies that they see right for that movie. I had no pressure on me to not do the same.”
Her explanation of the casting and production process makes it sound like Wonder Woman falls somewhere in the middle of the argument.
“I came in saying, ‘Oh, “Superman 1,” it’s an origin story…,’ and casting Chris [Pine], who I knew and is so funny. They were seeing it shape up as what it was shaping up as, and supporting it. I think that will be also true with ‘Aquaman’ and with ‘Flash’ and all of those movies.”
“Very rarely do I not look for both, because I believe the truth has both. I’ve had tragedy in my life, and it doesn’t stop comedy. I think it’s important to do both, particularly in a superhero movie, but even in any movie that accesses all people, nobody wants to be abused for two hours.”
While most genre films like to keep as much as possible under wraps before a film’s premiere, this tactic of releasing all the secrets may work in DC’s favor as it has battled bad reviews with its previous three entries in the DCEU. Putting everything out there up front may help ease nervous fans minds about the long awaited feature debut of the Amazon Princess.
Source: Syfy Wire, Comic Book Resources
Gal Gadot stars in the titular role when Wonder Woman storms into theaters June 2.
