DC's movie slate through 2020 has been announced (but they haven't confirmed when Batman and Superman solo films will drop) and what was easily one of the most exciting bits of news is Wonder Woman is getting her own movie. Not only will she get a solo film, but it'll be sooner than you may think. After Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and David Ayer's Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman will open in 2017. We don't know who's directing or even the plot (but there are of course rumors). All we know for certain is the year the movie's coming out and that Gal Gadot will star. Because the information is so limited, we can't speculate about the movie's quality, but we can chat about why the movie has a bunch of potential, can't we?
It can finally prove that yes, a modern female comic book movie CAN be good
Comic book movies starring heroines don't exactly have the best history in theaters. Movies like Catwoman and Elektra tend to immediately come to mind. Those aren't ripped on because of the characters, but instead because the movies were, well, let's just be nice and say "not-so-good." If you like those movies, that's perfectly fine, but a vast majority of us can acknowledge they aren't good films. Somehow, some people think that means female characters can't thrive on the big screen. It's a pretty ridiculous notion because those films had numerous issues, and the lead's gender isn't one of them. Marvel Studios announced Captain Marvel for 2018, so this means DC beat them to releasing a female solo movie first. Because of these factors, the filmmakers -- whoever they may be -- have to be aware of the extra pressure surrounding Wonder Woman. Comic book movies about female characters don't exactly have the best history, so this is their chance to prove they can be every bit as good, if not better, than other comic book movies. If Guardians of the Galaxy can make the world fall in love with Rocket Raccoon and Groot, there's no good reason why this shouldn't make audiences root for the world's most iconic female superhero. A lot of people have been waiting for this one and it's hard to believe they aren't aware of the high expectations.
Expands a new side of the DC Cinematic Universe
Man of Steel was the beginning of the DC Cinematic Universe. While it had scattered easter eggs throughout, it focused on a heavy science fiction vibe and understandably so. This is an alien landing on Earth and his fellow aliens come searching for him, after all. But, so far, Man of Steel has been our only experience with this growing universe. It's looking like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be sporting a similar tone and Suicide Squad is sure to go pretty dark, but Wonder Woman has the potential to open the doors and let in a ton of brightness as we witness a whole new section of this world. It's possible we'll get a glimpse of Themyscira in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but this movie has the chance to really immerse us in this environment. Not only does exploring Paradise Island have a ton of potential to feel like a breath of fresh air as we go on a journey in this setting. It's very unlikely the whole movie will take place there, but it's hard to believe the first Wonder Woman movie wouldn't give the setting a fair amount of attention. Since we know Wonder Woman is a Demigod in the movie, it hopefully means they aren't shying away from fantasy elements. While Man of Steel went sci-fi heavy, Wonder Woman can do a huge amount of mythos building and wow us with this whole new culture and the threats they face.
Can offer huge, fun action with all kinds of creatures and Gods
Speaking of creatures and threats facing the Amazons, this movie has the potential to create some epic action sequences. We're talking about fully embracing the fantasy genre and watching Wonder Woman let loose against characters like Ares, the God of War, minotaurs, and so much more. It's time to see she's not just a powerhouse but she also has some seriously praiseworthy hand-to-hand skills and reflexes. And, if we can have Gods, aliens, and more existing in this place, the possibility of an intense melee battle with Cheetah certainly exists. If not in this movie, perhaps down the road. The Woman Woman movie should be character-driven and tell us all about her world, but it also needs to show everyone just how badass she can be. If this doesn't have gripping and jaw-dropping action sequences, it'll be majorly disappointing.
Gives Gal Gadot a chance to prove herself
Gal Gadot landing the role of Wonder Woman was met with mixed reactions... then again, which casting announcement isn't? A majority of people seem to be on two sides. The first group consists of people who have faith in WB/DC's decision to pick the right Wonder Woman. They believe the actress has the potential to pull it off and impress us. The second group thinks she just doesn't have the physique or resume to be such a critical character. Yes, we all know she'll be in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice but no one knows just how pivotal her role will be. Will she just make a few quick cameos? Will she actually have the chance to unleash? We don't know, but in 2017, she'll have the chance to give us proper insight into the character. And, if you do happen to still have a problem with her physique, this gives her a little more room to gain a wee bit more muscle mass (there's intense training regimens for some of Snyder's movies and this would be one them). If they cast her and plan to give her an entire movie, obviously they have faith in performance and her ability to bring this character to life with the confidence and heart she requires. Whether it's a version of the character that'll please most fans has yet to be seen, but this will give her the opportunity to finally show the world why she landed the role. Here's hoping most of us find it captivating and not just okay. That would be pretty disappointing, wouldn't it? It's time for everyone to move past whether she should be Wonder Woman and see if she'll be a good Wonder Woman. Fingers crossed!
Generate more mainstream interest in Wonder Woman & address misconceptions
Who is Wonder Woman and what makes her a character so many people adore? What is about her personality that makes her unique and compelling? It's about time the general audience had a reminder of that, don't you think? For non-comic book readers, many have an impression of the character which is based on nostalgia. It's time for a character with positive message about love but also one who isn't afraid to throw down with the best and most dangerous characters around. It's time for everyone to see that it's okay to be a guy and think Wonder Woman is awesome and one of your favorite heroes (this is 2014, right?). We'll see the new dynamic she'll bring to the DC Cinematic Universe's heroes and hopefully, people will see why she's iconic and able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Batman and Superman. Assuming the movie succeeds with all of the previously mentioned qualities, this should boost interest in the character. And more interest in the character is nothing but good news for us comic fans. Her movie being a success means more Wonder Woman merch, perhaps a bigger role in the comics, and maybe -- just maybe -- viewers wanting to read some good trades the character has to offer. Let's all hope this movie shows everything we want from it: Wonder Woman as an interesting character, unveils her fascinating world, and offers plenty of moments to show just how tough she really is. If they do all of this well enough, we just may see even more people wearing Wonder Woman shirts or adding her to their list of favorite comic book characters.
Based on the limited knowledge we have about the project, how do you feel about 2017's Wonder Woman?