The first 'Wonder Woman' film, released in 2017, was one of DC's most phenomenal success stories. After the disappointing failures of ambitious projects like 'Justice League' and 'Batman v Superman', it was Gal Gadot who saved the day with her portrayal of Diana Prince in this momentous comeback. It is therefore no surprise that a sequel, 'Wonder Woman 1984', is under way and set to be released next year. However, before the post production on this film has even finished, director Patty Jenkins claims that she already has plans in mind for a third instalment in this superhero saga.
Jenkins has been promoting her new television drama 'I Am the Night' in recent weeks, alongside 'Wonder Woman' actor, Chris Pine, and in a recent interview with Vanity Fair she was questioned about the possibilities of seeing a third film in the franchise. Her response was: "I have pretty clear plans for Wonder Woman 3. Whether I [direct] it or not, I see how her arc should end in my incarnation of Wonder Woman. I have a great passion for that."
So assuming that Warner Brothers are willing to make it (and why would they not, considering the fact that the first film made a net income of over $1 billion worldwide), then it seems that Jenkins already has a vision for the superhero.
However, something else which Jenkins highlights is that, while she has a creative vision, she might not be the one to return to the role of director. After having created the first two, both of which demand a serious amount of work over the span of many months, she admitted to wanting to move towards telling her own stories now. With the momentum of two big studio films behind her, now is her chance to take her career in another direction.
^ Patty Jenkins, director of 'Wonder Woman' and 'Monster'.
A Super-Heroine in Hollywood
Jenkins is the only female director in Hollywood ever to have been given a budget of over $150 million and is a part of the shockingly low 11% of directors in major studio productions in 2017 that were women. It took her more than ten years to return to directing after having made 'Monster' in 2003, despite the fact that it won Charlize Theron an Oscar, and she explained that studios were simply not interested in listening to her directive vision. "It wasn't until I had success that I felt like I suddenly could really see the sexism in the world, and in the industry," she told Vanity Fair. Although it would be a shame not to see Jenkins returning to direct a third 'Wonder Woman', it seems that she will definitely have some creative advice for whoever steps into her shoes. And we can all hope that things will start to change in favour of the director, and that we may be able to see some original and exciting projects over the next few years.
Her new drama 'I Am the Night' will stream in the US on January 28th.
