Director Patty Jenkins Talks about Wonder Woman

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman

Patty Jenkins directed Monster in 2003. A big hit. After that success, she should have gotten an opportunity to direct another top movie. Instead, she had a few gigs directing TV shows. She’s a prime example of what’s wrong with the sexist situation for women directors in Hollywood.

Except. Except she got a gig in 2016 to direct the new Wonder Woman starring Gal Gadot. Wonder Woman is one very big deal. That it went to a woman director is another big deal. (I hope Patty Jenkins won’t have to wait 13 years for the next opportunity to do something big.)

Jenkins recently talked to The Hollywood Reporter about Wonder Woman.

Jenkins told THR she asked to direct Wonder Woman more than 10 years ago, saying “I’ve always been moved by the idea of movies that are personal but still have a huge reach.”

Patty Jenkins
Patty Jenkins at work

Jenkins laid out her vision for the film and the character as a superhero.

Our film really draws from the original 1940s “Wonder Woman” comic book by William Moulton Marston. The goal was to tap into what always spoke to me about her — to honor who she was, her legacy, and to make her as universal as she was to all of us little girls who ran around pretending to be Lynda Carter when we were kids. Wonder Woman is the grand universal female hero who didn’t have to be lesser in any way. She wasn’t less powerful, she wasn’t less of a woman. She’s as beautiful as any woman and as strong as any man. That, to me, is so enduring. There have been so few female characters like that — who weren’t small, niche characters or sidekicks. She’s a full-blown superhero who lives up to all of your dreams in every way.

It also was important to me to make sure she was as vulnerable, loving and warm as she should be. It’s important for her to be multidimensional.

It’s been incredible to make something about a superhero that stands for a message of fighting for a loving, thoughtful government, especially in this current climate. It’s been a special process to make something with the beautiful message that it’s difficult to be a hero and stay kind and thoughtful in everything that you do. There’s going to be a lot of conversation about her being a woman in these times, but I think the greatest part about the character is that she’s so much bigger than all of that.

Not lesser in any way. That speaks to me as it does to Patty Jenkins. I’m sure it will speak to the millions of girls and women who wait for June and a chance to watch Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in action. Wonder Woman is definitely something to look forward to.

Chris Pine, Robin Wright, and Connie Nielsen are also among the cast. I say we vote for this female directed adventure by plunking down our dollars at the multiplex this summer!

Watch the Trailer for Wonder Woman

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
WordPress Cookie Notice by Real Cookie Banner