WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for Wonder Woman.
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The story of Wonder Woman begins with her leaving home, selected as the champion of the Amazons and the very best of their society... but as the final Wonder Woman trailer for her movie confirms, that's all about to change. The decision is likely to irritate or enrage the DC Comics fans who argue against any departure from the source material, no matter the reasoning behind it. But in this case, the decisions made by director Patty Jenkins to update, modify, or simplify seem to be in the best interest of the film. In particular, its core story of Diana departing one world for another... with no way of going back.
It's not the first notable change to the traditional, classic, or Golden Age origin story that the film is taking, with mounting evidence that Jenkins and Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman is the daughter of Zeus (a change made in DC's New 52 relaunch). That alone is a "betrayal" of the heroine's origin to some staunch Wonder Woman fans, making the competition held among the Amazons to select their champion rigged from the outset. Make no mistake: if the latest reveal is as it seems, there may be no competition at all. In fact, Diana's journey may be her own: not as a champion, a diplomat, or bodyguard... but a daughter and sister.
How It Happened In The Comics
To know what has been changed, and construct your own opinion on whether the changes are for better or worse, it's good to have a bit of a reminder. The best update or modern interpretation of the classic origin story comes courtesy of Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott's Wonder Woman: Rebirth (in fact, it's really the perfect Wonder Woman comic to read before the movie), in which the classic beats of Steve Trevor's arrival on Themyscira, Diana's early relationship with him, and how she wound up carrying him back to the world of man are given new, but faithful meaning.
It's established in the comic that Diana, the daughter of the strong, proud, and beautiful Queen Hippolyta is everything her mother is, and more. So when an outsider crashes onto her island and is in need of a return to safety, the Amazons know that a Champion must be chosen. Hippolyta's heart grows instantly heavy, along with the rest of the Amazons... for they know that no matter the challenge, Diana will be the best of them. And to win the role of Champion means they will all be robbed of her presence - for once an Amazon leaves Themyscira, they can not return home.
Diana proves best at archery, swords, shields, horse riding, you name it. Until finally, her ability to deflect a bullet - the weapon of the world she now sets out toward - leaves no further hope. Diana is dressed in the Amazons' finest armor, equipped with her priceless relics and weapons, and given a heroine's farewell.
How The Movie Will Change It
There was reason to believe that things had changed in prior trailers, showing Diana fetching the Godkiller Sword, as well as her famous golden lasso and signature shield and armor, but the final trailer is all the proof we need. Fans don't need to worry about Diana winning the Amazons' tournament "fairly," since it doesn't look like any tournament takes place at all. From the shot above, Diana and Steve are making their escape in the dead of night, bid farewell by only Queen Hippolyta (who sounds like she's urging Diana to stay behind her people).
The shots that follow seem to support this idea of Diana breaking from the wishes of her people, or at least from the expectations of her mother to stay where she is, and most importantly, stay safe. From what we know of the movie discussed during our trip to the movie's editing bay, there's a secret link between Wonder Woman and the villain. A link that makes Diana something that she can never fully know, but something Hippolyta knows is likely to see her "found" by "him" should she exit the protection offered by Zeus.
On Themyscira, hidden, with her sisters, Diana is safe from what may find her. But exit with Steve Trevor, and her true nature will likely be learned... if not by Diana, then by her enemies. We know which decision Diana will make... but how different will her story become as a result of these changes?
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Why This New Origin is Better
Put the pieces together, and all evidence suggests Hippolyta is just trying to keep her daughter - whom she conceived with Zeus - safe from the God of War who killed her father. This is all news to Diana, but with Steve claiming the world stands on the brink of the nastiest, most brutal and grotesque slaughter imaginable, Ares is the real villain at work. And while her mother urges safety, Diana is driven to reach her potential, seek out Ares, and defeat him, bringing the duty of the Amazons to a close. Becoming her own woman along the way, too.
The shots following Diana, Steve, and Hippolyta on a chilly dock appear to be set prior to that farewell, with Diana leaping to enter the massive citadel in the island's center. Within it is held the lasso, armor, and shield she seeks... along with the Godkiller Sword capable of ending Ares's mission. It even appears that Diana grabs some sort of handhold intended for a different purpose - perhaps where a drawbridge might rest when warriors are openly using the armory? But it's by night that Diana must move, collecting the weapons of war she has clearly dreamed of using since childhood, before her mother uncovers the plot and requests that she stay.
Again, this re-writing of Wonder Woman's origin will not be a hit or winning idea to some, and to be fair, Diana besting and being embraced by her sisters is a not-insignificant part of her story. But that doesn't mean Patty Jenkins taking a different approach will lead to a less satisfying or compelling story. When considering the full picture, it's easier to justify the change.
First of all, if film conventions would suggest that Diana grows into her greatness or "wonder" over the course of her origin story, then having her prove her worth, her skills, and the Amazon's honoring of her before the conflict truly begins isn't quite a workable structure. And if her demigod heritage gives her the power of Zeus' lightning, her defeating her sisters isn't actually proof of her will, skills, or honor, when you think about it. It establishes her greatness in the first chapter or act, which is useful when launching a new comic book superhero, but not in a feature film.
What it does highlight is Diana's relationship and connection to her mother, Hippolyta. The flashback scenes show Hippolyta sparking that ambition for heroism and greatness in her daughter, denying her such dreams out of fear for her safety. If Diana chooses to embrace her destiny - one which Hippolyta obviously knows must happen - then it's a coming-of-age story that makes Diana a daughter, a princess, and a sister, not a perfect encapsulation of the Amazons' excellence (although she can be that, too).
A heartwarming story, should Diana realize her mother's fears and concern, and become Themyscira's greatest hero (in her image) anyway. And a tragic one, most likely, considering fans already know she spends the next century in hiding... and unable to return to her homeland. If her mission to save mankind from war is to fail, then it leaves Diana in a hopeless spot. No family to return to. No war worthy of her people to fight. That's despair if there ever was... until Justice League comes along to raise her up, with one of her mother's most ancient adversaries returning to take over Earth once more.
So, will Wonder Woman change Diana's origin story? All evidence suggests it. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. The smaller the story and more personal Diana's motivations and pressure, the better (in our opinion, at least). There will be spectacle, of course, but if Diana's journey is anchored in her mother's love, she's in good company alongside the DCEU's Superman and Batman. If she wins the coming war... well, that's not half bad for a girl who ran away from home in the middle of the night, determined to prove she had what it takes.
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What do you think of these changes being made to the origin story? Are they wise for any adaptation of Wonder Woman from comic book to cinematic origin story? Or do you think such changes risk missing what makes this heroine meaningful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.