For those who don’t know, the presidency of Warner Bros changed hands last month, and when former CEO Jeff Robinov was replaced by Kevin Tsujihara, their focus on the DC Comics universe got a little bit broader. The Hollywood Reporter recently spoke with DC Entertainment president Diane Nelson about the comic brand’s cinematic future, and Nelson shared some news that we’ve heard a time or two before: a Wonder Woman movie is one of the “top three priorities for both DC and Warner. Though, she mentions that it’s been that way since she joined the company. She’s been with Warner for over a decade, and became DCE president in 2009, so this doesn’t exactly mean Wonder Woman is on the fast track. But the ever-present possibility of a Justice League movie means the Amazon princess needs an outside presence.
And Nelson is both capable and dedicated to getting it done. “We have to get her right, we have to,” she says, calling her an age-spanning gender icon for both men and women. “She doesn’t have the single, clear, compelling story that everyone knows and recognizes. There are a lot of facets to Wonder Woman, and I think the key is, how do you get the right facet for that right medium?...We are still trying right now, but she’s tricky.”
If anything, I take that to mean they still haven’t ruled out a TV series, even when that might not be the most lucrative way to go. But with Green Lantern a frustrating not-so-distant memory, I’m sure DC would rather pour money into a small screen endeavor to begin with, with the option to expand to theaters after establishing the character to a wider audience. The comics world wasn’t always thrilled when the CW’s Arrow - based on DC’s Green Arrow comics - was in development, but that show has been quite popular and has a second season beginning in October. So a Wonder Woman series makes as much sense now as it ever did. And if they could keep Joss Whedon and Nicolas Winding Refn involved, it might be the greatest TV show ever.
But it isn’t all about golden lassos and invisible jets for Nelson. When asked about her top five properties that she’d like to see on the big screen, she answered in the best way possible. “Sandman is right on top,” she said. “I think it could be as rich as the Harry Potter universe. Fables. Metal Men. Justice League. And yes, I’m going to say it: Aquaman.” No one’s blaming you for saying that, Mrs. Nelson. We’re on your side.
Check out the professionally crafted fanmade trailer below that posits what a Wonder Woman project might look like, and let us know what you think about the hero’s TV or film prospects in the comments.
