Move over Dark Knight, step aside Iron Man: Ladies, it’s our turn to save the world. Coming this summer winter to theaters DVD is the new live-action animated feature film, Wonder Woman. Sure, this version of Wonder Woman won’t be breaking any weekend records at the box office, but judging by this movie poster, it could have if only given the chance. Despite its straight to DVD status, the cast behind this new animated flick appears to have all the benchmarks of a could-be-blockbuster: Keri Russell is the voice of Wonder Woman, Virginia Madsen is Wonder Woman’s mother, Queen Hippolyta; Rosario Dawson is Diana’s Amazon rival Artemis; and Alfred Molina is Ares, Wonder Woman’s nemesis. Comic book fans can take heart in knowing that this version stays true to the original story. The movie will tell the story of how Wonder Woman came to be, beginning with her origin as an Amazon princess. Keri Russell said of her character: “She’s a true, strong warrior, but she’s also right at the break of being a young woman standing on her own and fighting out in the world.” I hear you sister – who among us hasn’t been there? (Sans the whole warrior thing.)
Here is a peek at the recently released trailer: I know that the “some heroes are made, this one is born” tag line is a bit cliché, but that aside this trailer made me want to grab my Wonder Woman swimsuit, throw on some tin foil wrist shields and go out and save the universe – or at the very least rescue kitty out of tree. (I know that confession was awkward for both of us but come on now, you can’t help but get sucked in by all that action and of course the intense gothic power ballad that played during the preview.)
Perhaps this film will serve as a springboard to show that Wonder Woman is as great of a character as any caped crusader, man of steel or otherwise and deserves her own film with you know, actors in it, special effects and the glitzy red carpet fanfare. Other female comic characters have managed to make the leap off the drawing boards and into live-action films (surely the benchmark of success among those in the superhero world), but was their less than stellar box office performance an indicator that movie goers aren’t ready for a super heroine? Angelina Jolie‘s film Tomb Raider did well at the box office but was that just because she happens to be the sexiest woman alive, wielding guns in a tank top? Throw a cape on her character or perhaps a colorful unitard would her character still be appealing to men and women? There has been talk of a live action picture of Wonder Woman for some time now, but alas the business side and the creative side of the movie biz cant seem to get agree on a solid concept (come back Joss Whedon) thus the movie will remain in limbo. Until then we keep busy by trying to figure out how is it that The Hulk managed to get remade before Wonder Woman could even begin. In the meantime we have this kick ass animated version of Wonder Woman to keep us swooning.
Would you watch this animated version? And riddle me this: Do you think female superhero box office flops like Cat Woman and Elektra has made Hollywood leery of producing a live action film of Wonder Woman?
