While
Wonder Woman will finally be receiving her first stand-alone film this June, the character's big screen debut was actually delivered by director Zack Snyder in last year's
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In an interview with Empire, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins was asked about the challenges of crafting the character's origin after she had already been introduced to audiences.
"It's easier than that sounds, because there are hundreds of years between the films. And, because that story is who she's going to become a long time in the future," she said.
"I got to look at the story of the beautiful child and character that comes into this world, and there might even be some misconceptions about who she is later on. We may be reading into things in Batman V Superman in the future that aren't necessarily what you think they are. They're making Wonder Woman, and so was I. For me, I felt very supported in this vision."
Jenkins also confirmed that Snyder didn't play all that much of a role in the making of her film, mostly due to his time making
Batman v Superman. She did clarify, however, that Snyder's vision for the character carried over to her film and that a cooperative vision was necessary when creating a shared universe onscreen.
"Zack was making Batman V Superman simultaneous to making this, but he was very instrumental in the direction the film was going to take. That ended up leading to my signing on, because I know enough about these worlds now that unless we really have a shared vision, it's going to be two years of fighting, and who wants that? I had a very strong feeling of what kind of Wonder Woman film I'd want to make."
Jenkins also praised Snyder's decision to cast Gal Gadot as Diana, something that she was initially wary of due to not having a say in the decision.
"I didn't get to choose her, but boy was I relieved once I realized who she was. That is like a make it or break it thing, who plays these characters. So when I first heard Zack Snyder has cast somebody as Wonder Woman, a movie I had wanted to make for a long time, I was cautious. But then, oh my God, they couldn't have found anybody better in the whole wide world.Just look at Gal Gadot when she smiles or when she meets somebody and shakes their hand. That is the embodiment of Wonder Woman. She is so beautiful and powerful, but kind and generous and thoughtful. She's just an amazing person."
From the sound of it, making the film was a very enjoyable time for Jenkins, though she admitted it wasn't so easy to incorporate the electric cello-heavy theme music that was employed in
Batman v Superman. While the song has been used in the film's trailers, Jenkins said the film will take a different approach to the composition.
“The song is slightly more complicated, because that is the song of a very adult and evolved character. I love that track, but we had to embrace it as a different thing. The story is of who Diana grows into being; you can’t just come out of the gate with a song like that for a ten year old.”
Be sure to check out the
full interview over at Empire, where Jenkins also discusses the film's villain, level of humor, and influence from Richard Donner's
Superman!
Wonder Woman hits theatres on
June 2, 2017.