Why no Wonder Woman?

Why no Wonder Woman?

Why would you ignore Wonder Woman yet give Flash a TV series and a feature film?

Editorial Opinion
By NCboyChris - Aug 30, 2013 10:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Wonder Woman

There is no question about Wonder Woman's staying ability. She was introduced in November 1942 and still headlines her own publication. Though her stories have changed and she was put on a BRIEF hiatus when they altered her history in 1987, she has never gone without her own title that I know of. She is one of the BIG 3 of DC Comics. The DVDs of the Lynda Carter series were all 3 released in less than 12 full months, which you usually have to wait a year between sets minimum. Also, the animated direct to DVD was highly acclaimed and sold very well. You cannot imagine the Justice League without her in it. She is the female equal of Superman (each with their own strengths and weaknesses to trump the other and balance out). Anytime there is discussion about bringing the character to life, she has the most passionate fans for making sure she gets done right with an actress that looks like the character and can act. True, her costume may be a bit hard to bring in as a real life scenario, but then if we are going to suspend belief that she has all these powers and abilities, we should be able to believe she does it all in that original costume. Lynda Carter also proved you could wear that costume, be believable and not get lost in the outfit. With all of these pros going for her, she continuously gets postponed, cancelled, not picked up.

I hear complaints of her rogues, but her villains to me come off much better then say Iron Man's villains. Not all of her villains are A+ characters, but there are many that would give her GREAT battles. She has the Gods of Olympus (Greek or Greek/Roman blend as originally represented), Silver Swan, Cheetah, Giganta, as well as villains that would play well on a weekly series such as Doctor Psycho, Doctor Poison, Angle Man, and so on. In a film, she would have a great battle with Villainy Inc., but each villain would need to be set up and you cannot do that for 5 villains in a feature film. They could also create villains for a weekly series, much as the original series did.

Do not get me wrong, I love The Flash, I thought the 1990 series was one of the best comic book TV shows ever, and I want to see more stories for him. However, I think he has a rogues gallery much more suitable to a run of feature films. With Wonder Woman, many of her villains would have to be set up for you to understand them and they work best in tandem with other villains. The Flash has villains that can take it to him one on one and could be set up easily in a feature film. He would not need multiple villains to fight him at once, but could battle a group of villains after they were set up in their own features.

I am also all for a Flash TV series, but I do not think you should do a TV series as well as feature films for the same character. I do not understand the reasoning behind shelving the AMAZON series, when she is not getting her own series. I will say the idea behind AMAZON did not work for me. To me, Wonder Woman should not come to USA without being Wonder Woman. You could do half a season at most on the island, but that is not where the meat of the character is. What makes WW interesting is her powers, not the time before she gets them. She also should not get off the island without a reason to make her take up the mantle. You also cannot make Wonder Woman a killer, which is on of the biggest problems with the failed Adrianne Palicki pilot. That pilot also gave her too many identities, had her speak vulgar, made her a business woman rather than an agent or Yeoman 1st Class. When you change so many aspects of the character, it will not be a success. So, for these reasons, I am glad Wonder Woman has not been given a green light on these 2 series. The Lynda Carter series, though it did many things different than the comics, still kept the core of the character and evolved her out of the comic book world after she was established. That and the lack of super villains to fight are the only 2 issues I ever had with Lynda Carter's series.

I know I am way too passionate about Wonder Woman. The Lynda Carter series is my all time favorite TV series. The character is my favorite superhero (if not in all of literary fiction). However, I am being very objective here in the fact she should be made either in film or television, but not both at the same time. I also would be happier with a TV series as I would get more stories faster.

Again, THE FLASH is a great character and I am thrilled to get multiple stories with that character. However, to me, it is overkill to put him on TV AND in movie theaters at the same time. He is also overdue for another live action incarnation. However, Wonder Woman is more overdue for a well done live action adaptation and she continuously gets ignored or put on the backburner.

Let me sum up the problem with the Flash on TV and silver screens with a for example. If you own a business, and your business is doing very well, the idea is to expand. However, if you expand cities away, your profits may go down slightly in one location, yet you will add sales from people who live far away from the original location. Yet, if you expand within a few miles of your original location, you strangle sales between 2 locations and you do not pull a new clientele because you are already too close. The key is distance. Unless they are going to move The Flash from the series to the box office and not run simultaneously, they will strangle each other. Yet, if you blossom the TV series from small screen to big screen, I think the sales will be much lower than just a feature.

Anyway, I am looking at it logically. Will I watch the series and films? Absolutely, because superhero is my favorite genre of TV and Film. Do I think it is a terrible idea to create the same character (even if one is Wally West and the other is Barry Allen) on both platforms at the same time? You better believe it, simply for the future success of the character. Also, I do not like making film and TV of the same character while ignoring so many other characters in the vault. Even if you are not going to make a Wonder Woman series or film, don't make both for the Flash. Use Nightwing, Supergirl, Static, Hawkman, Captain Marvel, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Firestorm, Cyborg, Dr Fate, Fire & Ice, Aquaman, and so on.

Well, I know it is just my opinion, but hopefully DC/WB will change their minds on a Flash series and film or they will prove me wrong about the success of each. What do you guys think?

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LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 8/30/2013, 11:01 AM
Why no films starring black superheroes? Why is it always white? Yea Steel & Spawn sucked but Blade was good. Why no Black Panther or Storm solo or Luke Cage or John Stewart or Static or Black Lightening? Why only white heroes?

That's basically what your editorial is. Just flipped it around.

Also do you really want Amazon? No you don't. Wonder Woman needs to be on the big screen not on the small screen anymore.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 8/30/2013, 11:11 AM
Also Flash film isn't announced...

Just Arrow crossover and Flash show.
NCboyChris
NCboyChris - 8/30/2013, 11:12 AM
I did mention Static & Cyborg in the article. Also, I did not mention any Marvel characters. Marvel has DC slaughtered on quality black characters and I am very much hoping for a Black Panther or Luke Cage film. As far as GL, I like Hal Jordan the best as he was my first GL I knew. The main gist of the article though is Wonder Woman and Flash because Flash is slated with a series and film, while Wonder Woman was shelved again and gets neither.
NCboyChris
NCboyChris - 8/30/2013, 11:13 AM
Flash film WAS announced at ComiCon for a 2016 release
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 8/30/2013, 11:17 AM
No Flash film wasn't announced.

Also what I meant is this seems like a defense against why Wonder Woman can't be on the big screen but Flash can (a more controversial film with a female lead CBM which don't do that well over a film starring a white male lead) and I flipped it in a more satire sarcasmistic comment in why cant a black superhero lead film happen.

I did this bc the CBM genre lacks women lead CBMs and non-white(?) male lead CBMs.

My first comment was meant as fun.
aresww3
aresww3 - 8/30/2013, 11:59 AM
@Levitikuz - As a black man, I am more into Wonder Woman being made into a movie. I think it´s all one cause, that being diverse representation in movies. The reason I pull for WW though is she has the best story out of the most iconic Superheroes, that comes from a portion of our society that needs greater representation. I´m sure I could say that better, but hey. The point is WW is the only ethnic, female or gay superhero that has a totally original story of her own. Not just some clone of a white, male, straight superhero. I think therefore she has more of a chance to really open up a space for minorities, gays and women to be greater represented in starring roles in this genre. She should really be the pioneer, as her story is likely to generate alot of interest. Also while I think it is a bit risky to make WW herself gay or a minority for her first outing, The Amazons can have many black, or Asian characters as there´s no racial division between them. Also themes of homosexuality amongst the Amazons can also be explored and should be. Great article.
ABH1979
ABH1979 - 8/30/2013, 12:01 PM
@NCboyChris - "Flash film WAS announced at ComiCon for a 2016 release"

Are you sure? I remember there being a pre-announcement rumor, but then during the event, there was nothing...
QuestionDAnswer
QuestionDAnswer - 8/30/2013, 3:05 PM
@NCboyChris
Don't worry about Wonder Woman, because if DC is heading the way I think they are this is what they will do next regarding Wonder Woman after the Superman Vs Batman: World's Finest film.

1. A trinity team up film, with the Big 3 in comics Supes, Bats, and Wonder Woman.
2. Justice League
3. And in between those two things maybe the Amazon Tv show.
4. Wonder Woman solo film

Now, with all of those three things I mentioned Wonder Woman would have been in two team up films, and a tv show. Plenty of exposure to the general audience for a big box office return in her solo outing on the big screen. Basically, DC will be building Wonder Woman to the general audience threw team ups, and a tv show. DC isn't sure if people will show up for a Wonder Woman film. So this strategy will work perfectly for her. Think of agent Coulson, he was build threw Iron Man 2, and the Averagers. Now he is getting his own tv show, nobody gave a sh!t about him until he showed up in the Marvel films. Now Marvel thinks he is popular enough to handle his own tv show. That is what DC is basically going to do with Wonder Woman, build her popularity up threw two team up films, and a tv show. Then give her a solo film.
NCboyChris
NCboyChris - 8/30/2013, 3:22 PM
@ABH, I must have read wrong, I thought it was confirmed for a 2015 Supes/Bats, 2016 Flash, and 2017 Justice League, but now all I find is Supe/Bat for sure. I hope this means since they put AMAZON off they will give WW the 2016 film and keep FLASH on TV until JLA in theaters
QuestionDAnswer
QuestionDAnswer - 8/30/2013, 3:54 PM
@NCboyChris
Another example of this is Green Arrow, he is in a very popular tv show, I honestly think he is popular enough, and ready enough for his very own solo film. But I don't think he'll be getting a film any time soon, because DC is going to want to focus on the core members of the Justice League first. Unfortunately, gender plays a big roll on how much build up one character needs compared to another. For example, I think Wonder Woman needs more build up than Green arrow, because she is a woman.
maninfinesuit
maninfinesuit - 8/30/2013, 3:54 PM
Because the Flash is cooler.

Doughdzm
Doughdzm - 8/30/2013, 4:11 PM
Lets be honest here most of DC villains suck. aside from a few of the main villains. Like Batmans arc and villains are good because Batman has no powers. And his villains wouldnt stand a chance against any other JL character. GL has Sinestro, Supes has Doomsday and Darkseid,I mean think about which villain would be a threat. If they wanted to really do WW I think Xena the warrior Princess is the perfect Template on how to do it. But with a Spartucus edge. They really dont have the villains aside from Batman and Supes arc to compete. I want more diversity from the usual White guy saves the world plot. But if they really want it done they need to commit to doing it right. No more of that Gl BS. Static Shock has an evolving plot that they can work with. If WW goes too Mythilogical then it will be the female Thor. She needs either an HBO touch to really show her strength and her villains. or I agree with buddy about introducing her through others to build her interest
Doughdzm
Doughdzm - 8/30/2013, 5:18 PM
Black Manta, mirror master. not good villains
NCboyChris
NCboyChris - 8/30/2013, 6:43 PM
There are many great villains in DC. For Superman, Metallo and Brainiac were not mentioned. As I pointed out, Silver Swan is a phenomenal villain for WW as well as the Gods, Cheetah, and Giganta. Then she has the group of Villainy Inc. Trixter is another great villain of The Flash as well as Captain Boomerang, Reverse Flash, and so on. Fact is, look at the episodes of Justice Laegue where they teamed the rogues and had an awesome force to fight. Remember, they can do more villains in Justice League than heroes, but they will lose origins and that aspect of the story is also interesting, but a necessary loss I you are to get it all in one film. This is why WW, Superman, and Batman HAVE to be done to have villains introduced so the ones lost in the shuffle are not as missed when you do not get their intros. My thoughts anyway.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 8/30/2013, 9:41 PM
Doughdzm, as my Algebra teacher once said: pass the pipe down.

Anyways, Wonder Woman.

It's not about the costume. Let's get that out of the way. Top grossing movies often feature half-naked women, and that's only an "optional feature" if you will.
Problem is, and has been the target audience and Warner Bros' unwillingness to go down that territory. The territory of superheroines.

It's just as stupid as anyone saying that WB won't do a MM movie because John Carter and Mars Needs Moms weren't successful movies set on the red planet.

It's as old as I am, but I'm still going to go back to it. Witches of Eastwick. Hilarious movie, fantastic, love everyone in it. Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jack Nicholson, Richard Jenkins, and Veronica Cartwright. Better than the book it's based off of.

You'll note JACK NICHOLSON is in it, and his character (the Devil) takes on all three lead actresses - and really, only ONE of them has a difficult time holding her own against him (talking actress, not character) - and she played Catwoman. They're charming and attractive. They're funny and quirky. They're all three single moms. And Jack Nicholson fulfills his end of the bargain there.


It can be done - a Wonder Woman movie, it just needs appeal. It can't take itself too seriously, yet it shouldn't verge on being anywhere near a romantic comedy. I'm talking Thor meets Batman Forever.
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 8/30/2013, 10:23 PM
Maybe, once Katniss & Catching Fire end up kicking Thor's butt at the box office in November, WB will have a little more confidence about having a woman as a lead in an action film. (And yes, Catching Fire will beat Thor: TDW. Hunger Games made much more money than the original Thor did, even though it came out in March, which is not exactly the month for blockbusters to start in, while Thor was a traditional summer movie. TDW comes out 2 weeks earlier, so it better make a lot of money during those 2 weeks, cause it's gonna die after that.)
Minotauro
Minotauro - 8/30/2013, 11:12 PM
Superman - Darkseid, Brainiac, Bizarro, Toyman, and Doomsday.
Batman - Everyone.
Wonder Woman - Ares, the gods, cheetah.
Green Lantern - Parallax, Anti-monitor, Sinestro.
Flash - Grodd, the Rogues, Captain Cold(alone), Zoom(reverse flash).
Aquaman - Ocean Master, Black Manta.

So I think you're just talking out of your ass.
Minotauro
Minotauro - 8/30/2013, 11:13 PM
@Dough
PhantomPunch
PhantomPunch - 8/31/2013, 3:52 AM
WB need to cancel there series plans and focus on Feature films for these Comics
NCboyChris
NCboyChris - 8/31/2013, 8:25 AM
There are certain characters that WB/DC should do as TV series instead, and I think ARROW was a smart choice. I like Batgirl, but don't think she would have the appeal for a feature. Same feeling for Zatanna, Hawkgirl, Fire & Ice, Dr Fate, Deadman, Booster Gold, The Question, and other second tier characters. They are great with someone, but do not think they would be able to hold a feature film, but they could hold a weekly series. Hawkman and Hawkgirl together could be a feature. Also, I think Cyborg and Aquaman may be best served introduced in a group film, and then spun off into their own features. I like Cyborg a lot, but not sure he is strong enough to carry a feature before he is introduced. It truly has nothing to do with male/female, black/white, but the popularity of the characters. Wonder Woman has survived and would definitely sell at the box. Other characters cannot even hold their own comic title for long. Take Wolverine for example, not my favorite character, but the most popular of the X-Men and has been used continuously at the box office. Anyway, if studios and the general public would stop worrying about male/female, black/white, and start worrying about right/wrong, and in this case, success/dud, we would be doing a lot better...
SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 8/31/2013, 12:37 PM
@Doughdzm If DC villains suck, Marvel's villains are dogshit.
SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 8/31/2013, 12:39 PM
Villains for a Wonder Woman movie:
1st Ares
2nd Circe and Cheetah
3rd Genocide
aresww3
aresww3 - 8/31/2013, 1:13 PM
Marvel has complete shit for villains. Sorry their villians are one-dimensional and apart from Charles Xavier and Magneto, and Red Skull Cap America, maybe Dr. Doom and FF, there are no real compelling archenemies.

Batman himself has a great villain list: Riddler, Joker, Catwoman.

Superman and Wonder Woman have great villains between them: Braniac, Lex Luthor alone are better than most of Marvels. Wondy has Ares and Alkyone, who are awesome. Cheetah and Dr. Psycho are actually alot better than they sound. I mean most people who say Wondy has no good villains, just have not read her. She´s got some great villains. Same with The Flash. Maalafiek for MMH is actually a cool and underused villain. Black Adam. The list goes on. DC just needs to get out of the Batman business and get in the superhero movie business and then they´ll see alot of these villains are excellent.
NCboyChris
NCboyChris - 8/31/2013, 2:24 PM
I still like the Silver Swan for a WW villain. She is very strong and she is a cool character. I also agree with aresww3, there are many cool villains that just need exposure. However, I still think there are several WW villains that would be tough to use in a film. Most of the members of Villainy Inc would only work in the group, but that would be hard to introduce each with an origin, so they would basically have to just introduce the group and ignore individual origins for the members.
voxen
voxen - 9/6/2013, 8:42 AM
The reason Wonder Woman has always had a title going back to the 40's is because the creator of the comic had a deal that if DC ever took her title away the rights to the character would go back to his estate. For this reason DC will never cancel her book even if its doing poorly. The creator of Wonder Woman is also the creator of the lie detector test that is why she has a lasso of truth. Also the reason she had bracelets was because the creator was into bondage.
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