The DC Extended Universe is fully kicking off this year, with the release of Suicide Squad still to come next month. From there, there's an impressive slate of movies lined up through to 2020, which gives DC plenty of time to prove itself after the early stumble of Batman V Superman. Perhaps one of the most anticipated movies on the slate is Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman, given many people's desire to see a true female-led superhero movie done well.
Following Warner Bros.' confirmation that Wonder Woman will have a presence at the studio's Hall H presentation during this year's San Diego Comic-Con, the synopsis for the film (starring Gal Gadot in the titular role) was released. While the synopsis remains fairly true to the original Wonder Woman comic book origins, there's something else about the press release that's grabbing everyone's attention right now - the credited screenwriters.
Up until now, Jason Fuchs (Pan, Ice Age: Continental Drift) was thought to be the writer of Wonder Woman. However, the story has presumably undergone some major revisions since then, because in Warner Bros.' Comic-Con press release, Geoff Johns and Allan Heinberg are listed as screenplay writers for the film, and there is no mention of Fuchs' name. The script is based on a story from Heinberg, and Batman V Superman director, Zack Snyder.
Johns and Heinberg have worked together previously on Justice League of America and Wonder Woman comic books, and Johns is also the current Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics, so this news is encouraging. Thus far, Heinberg's only screen experience comes in the form of TV, having written and produced for shows such as The O.C., Grey's Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, Sex and the City, and The Catch. His credentials do showcase a good knowledge of female-led shows though, so that should also stand Wonder Woman in good stead. Meanwhile, as well as his work with DC Comics, Johns has also written for The CW's The Flash, Arrow, and Justice League TV series.
There's no word on why Fuchs is no longer listed as the main writer, but really the focus should be on Johns and Heinberg, and how their influence could result in a stronger movie when Wonder Woman is released in 2017. Given both men's experience within the DC universe, and Heinberg's involvement with both the story and the script, there is an inclination to see this news in an entirely positive light. Certainly, Warner Bros. and the DC Extended Universe have an uphill battle on their hands after Batman V Superman, and Suicide Squad could well be the movie that sets the ball rolling in terms of positivity surrounding the franchise. Now, with this change of screenwriters for Wonder Woman, it looks as though this could well be the movie to build the franchise up even more.
Any female led superhero movie is going to be welcome, but when the central character is someone as iconic as Wonder Woman, there's an added expectation to live up to as well. It seems as though, for now, Warner Bros. are heading in the right direction, at least.
Suicide Squad is scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 5, 2016; Wonder Woman is slated for release on June 2, 2017; followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; an untitled DC Film on October 5, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; an untitled DC film on November 1, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash is currently without a release date.
