The Wonder Of It All

I’m sure glad that’s over. After all the talking, all the bantering, and all the rumors it is signed. No, not health care. The new Captain America movie. As you’ve probably heard already, Chris Evans was chosen to play the lead. We’ve seen his body of work (and his body) as a member of the Fantastic 4, so there is some reference points to view while making your decision. I’ll save my thoughts for another day.

Instead, I want to talk about something that has been flying under the radar that I feel is just as important as Captain America. I’m talking about Wonder Woman. In my mind she has always been the female version of Captain America. Her patriotic flare and her integrity make her truly American. Or something like that.

The movie is schedule to come out in 2011. I’ll assume this will be some time in mid to late 2011. Why do I make that assumption? Well, thus far the movie lacks two essential ingredients: a director and a lead. Joss Wheadon accepted the directing job, but quit in 2007 due to creative differences. Since that time nobody else has been named. This, as you can imagine, has worried me a bit.

Writing problems?

As per any movie it starts with good writing. It takes a good writer to set a tone of a film and allow it to flow eloquently for the audience. Or, in some cases, make us feel uncomfortable. Either way, writing is key.

The two writers hired for this project are Matthew Jennison and Brent Strickland. Who? Exactly. Neither of them has one single movie credit to their name as writers. I think it is important to point out Strickland played a reporter in the movie Soul Plane. Yep, that’s the resume: nothing for one and Soul Plane for the other. Anybody else say the sarcastic word “greeeeaaat?”

I won’t spend too much time on these guys. For all I know they may be the second coming of Sam Raimi. So, I will trust it for now. But, yes, I’m worried about the whole Soul Plane connection.

Who’s In The Lead?

And now for the moment of truth. The moment where the mass confusion truly begins. Who in the world should play Wonder Woman? Wow. What a loaded, fun question.

There isn’t a lot of solid information, just a lot of good rumors. The short list of five boils down to Kate Beckinsale, Sandra Bullock, Rachel Bilson, Mischa Barton, and Sarah Michelle Prinze.

I will say this about all five. They seem to have enough cleavage and bigger hips than other actresses. I don’t think that’s necessarily a requirement, but Wonder Woman has always looked more like an average woman and less like a supermodel. In that vein, I like all these choices.

I will sound off on Beckinsale and Barton. I realize Beckinsale has put herself in a position to be a lead in any kind of action/comic book movie. She certainly has earned the right to read for any lead comic book role. But, as was the case with Captain America, I would like to see an American cast. This would leave out Barton and Beckinsale who are both English-born citizens.

This leaves three: Bullock, Bilson, and Prinze. Not a completely overwhelming list (which means none of them will likely get it). Bullock would bring acclaim to the film. I certainly see her in the same light as Linda Carter, who played the superhero on television. I really don’t see Prinze as Wonder Woman at all. I don’t doubt her talent or ability to play the role, she just doesn’t scream Wonder Woman to me. As for Bilson, I will admit I’ve had a HUGE crush on her for years. I would pay to see her read the phone book, so I have to eliminate my objectivity on this one.

I’m not in love with any of these choices. I would like to hear from you. Who do you think should be cast as Wonder Woman in the upcoming film? Leave your comment below.