Wonder Woman, the fictional Amazonian princess who is without a doubt the most iconic female superhero of all time, will be making her return to television 31 years after her last TV series went off the air. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Warner Bros. Television has tapped veteran TV show runner David E. Kelly for the task of creating a new, modern TV series devoted to Wonder Woman … and I don’t know if I should be cheering or crying … here are the deets:
Wonder Woman is heading back to the screen but instead of flying to movie theatres, the Amazon princess is returning to television. Warner Bros. Television is developing a modern-day reboot of the classic DC comic book heroine and is lassoing an unlikely talent to potentially write and produce the superhero project: David E. Kelley, the showrunner behind legal dramas such as “Ally McBeal,” “Boston Legal” and “The Practice.” The development comes after nearly a decade of attempts by Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver to launch a big-screen version. Actresses ranging from Angelina Jolie to Beyonce Knowles to Megan Fox have thrown their hat in the ring for the starring role at one time or another. In 2005, Warner Bros. announced Joss Whedon would write and direct the film adaptation. But Whedon said he never ended up being able to finish the draft, and two years later left the project (he’s back in the superhero world, though, prepping “The Avengers” for a winter shoot). “They just didn’t like my take,” Whedon said at the time. “It’s pretty simple.” Any new “Wonder Woman” won’t likely have an easy road to the small screen either. Though the 1975-79 TV series starring Lynda Carter remains the most memorable version of the character in pop culture, major networks have struggled to make female-driven action series work beyond superhero shows work beyond NBC’s “Heroes.” One short-lived title, NBC’s “Bionic Woman,” which was likewise best known for its 1970s TV version, and could haunt attempts to get a series launch. But if any place exists for a female-driven superhero series, it would be in TV land not film … the small-screen has been a more than willing home to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” a character which first failed as a movie, and “Alias,” the spy series which starred Garner. Warner Bros. had no comment.
As some of you know, I am currently in the process of rewatching the entire 1970′s Wonder Woman TV series, which stars the flawless Lynda Carter in the title role, in an effort to rekindle my insane love for the character (I’ve even started wearing my beloved WW watch for the first time since I was 9 years old). I’ve mentioned a few times how much of a fan of Wonder Woman I have been since I was very, very young (without question, she was the first “love” of my life) … so this news is … well, I’m not sure what this news means to me. My first reaction was Yay! Wonder Woman will be back on TV!! My immediate second reaction was, OMG … what if they screw it up?! A very large part of me feels like a new Wonder Woman TV series would be sacrilegious but another part reminds me of the impact the original series had on me as a young child … and hopes the same impact can be made on young children today who might grow up with this new series. As the article above mentions, an attempt has already been made and FAILED to remake the 70′s TV series The Bionic Woman … my fear is that it will be harder to remake a successful show about Wonder Woman and REMAIN TRUE to the character. I will HATE IT if they change the character in order to modernize her. As some of you comic book fans may know, Wonder Woman‘s iconic costume has been radically redesigned for the comic book series … if they try and use that bullshizz in this new TV series, I’ll hate the show right off the bat. And then there’s the casting … I know the focus will be to find a young actress to play the character … unlike Lynda Carter who was mature-enough in the role to give Wonder Woman the strength required of the character. If they go with a 20 year old girl, again, I’ll hate the show right off the bat (in all honesty, I’m not sure I’d be down for a Buffy like version of Wonder Woman). There are so many things that could go wrong with this remake … but if they do it right, it could be a very successful and beloved new series. I’m willing to give this new Wonder Woman the early benefit of the doubt … without question, David E. Kelly is a very successful and talented TV writer/producer and Warner Bros. has always been very respectful of the character. No matter how great this new series is, it will NEVER touch or surpass the original … but a new Wonder Woman for a new era might add another dimension to the iconic character that could breathe new life into the character. Who knows, this new TV series might inspire other young boys to boldly wear Wonder Woman watches to school :) At this point, I’ll remain cautiously optimistic that this new Wonder Woman TV series will be good … I just really hope they do the character right.
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If they take away the Iconic spin transformation Ill hate it right of the bat! Im with they will probably find a way to screw it up
@Dominic — I totally agree. Did you know the spin transformation was created for the TV series? Diana Prince never transformed into WW in the comics by spinning before the TV series … now, it’s the only way she transforms in the comics.
I don’t know how relevant this is, but a year or two ago there was discussion about WB wanting DC to produce more television material to fill the gap left by Smallville (since it’s in its last season). The first suggestion was a series based on the Batman character Robin, but that’s been scrubbed. This announcement strikes me as the fill-in they’re looking for, and I don’t know what to think about this.
@sars — Yes, I don’t know how to feel about it myself … I’m such a huge fan of the character first and original TV series second and Lynda Carter third that I fear any new incarnation may be disappointing. If they do it right, tho, it could be really fantastic.
i can see jennifer garner making her way back to tv as wonder woman – she has the strong jaw and in alias played a kind of wonder woman…
What if they revamp it like smallville? If we try and compare it to the original we’ll be upset either way, 1.) because it won’t BE the original and we’ll feel cheated and 2.) I think if they keep all the iconic stuff from the 70′s version it will feel too campy which might ruin it. I love her original costume but what if builds up to that (like Smallville). Its like walking a REALLY fine line. I’m hoping for the best though!
They should have Joss Whedon do this!!!!!
I loved the invisible jet that she had… that was so badass.
I’m with you Trent. Cautiously optimistic.
But I fear, it’ll bomb like Bionic Woman did. And no, I don’t feel Jennifer Garner could pull it off. Too manly of a build on her. Definitely agree it has to be someone tall, older than 20 years-old who can be convincing as an Amazonian. I just LOVED Lynda Carter. I think Lucy Lawless (back in the Xena days) could’ve pulled off Wonder Woman but no one well-known comes to mind. Definitely NOT Jennifer Love Hewitt. Not even Megan Fox IMO.
Perhaps a no-name actress?
Oh and I also LOVED the spinning to change costumes, especially when they did it in slow motion. That was the BEST! They better keep the original costume, including the bullet proof bracelets and the magic lasso!
I have collected comics for 31 of my 34 years but save for my obsession with Supergirl and Catwoman but Im basically done with comic books.
Marvel irked me so I left them, I read very little else but DC but with Diana’s overhaul, er, UNDERhaul, I don’t want to give them my money (I’m too weak and can’t part with my above true loves).
Making Diana into Black Canary meets Rogue meets herself meets bad fashion choices with knee pads for shoulder pads and stirrup-like accessories is bad enough but a new origin is terrible for so many reasons.
I could get used to the new outfit (the new bracers are kind of cool) but the jacket is just NOOO! The whole thing is suppressive in the sense that WW is supposed to exude WONDER, strength, grace, and a regal presence. As one commentor on a DC board typed, the iconic costume showed strength througj vulnerability. Diana seemed to have little armor or cloth to protect a woman but she didn’t need it. She also showed she was a woman and didn’t need to be covered up to be a lady.
I can understand that with many a depiction of Diana, her sexuality came first, and function a definite second, so some people would like more “dignity” given. Still, her cleavage is still in abundance, so why not cover that too? Or, as one person posted, put her in a berka! Really though, why not just some star spangled leggings, why black with a black leather jacket from the ’90′s?
Black is also not something for Diana unless a night ops mission with Batman. Although the concept of an orphaned child trying to survive and carry on her people’s culture while trying to find herself is interesting as an Elseworlds or Multiverse story, it is also a mixture of Batman and Smallville’s Superman not Diana.
Stripping her of power as she is on this new journey is not much more than a modern “Mod Era” Diana, and less a way for she and readers to rediscover her as it is to try and lower a female hero.
Chances are the original history will be returned but not so much the costume. WW’s sales have climbed 40 or higher spots, male readers who never cared about the character are reading it, and females who still don’t read it are comforted by the Quaker take on the hero. That all speaks volumes to WB/ DC.
However, is a dark, leather jacket with sleeves rolled up and shoulder pads who brands her foes with her bracers really going to inspire young girls? Maybe, and maybe young boys will grow up to not feel embarrassed by liking a female character, but I don’t see how Diana’s message for equality for all people, for peace and for love is going to be conveyed with such impact as she has for 70 years if she looks like she’s just coming from Ladies’ Night at a local Western bar. Maybe I’m selling her short and maybe I’m just being stodgy, but this is why I am soo incredibly scared of the new TV show.
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