Wonder Woman Director On How The Film's Success Will Affect Female Superhero Movies

05/02/2017 06:46 pm EDT

For years, moviegoers have been asking studios like Marvel and DC one very simple question: 'Hey, where my ladies at?' While superheroes like Black Widow have come key characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans have grown impatient for their favorite heroines to get standalone movies. Social media campaigns have been waged to get Natasha Romanoff her own film, and the MCU isn't set to release its first female-led film Captain Marvel until 2019. However, DC Entertainment has bucked the trend as of late with its impending release of Wonder Woman. And, in a recent interview, the film's director admits she hopes the project is successful enough to sell other studios on more female-driven projects.

In an interview with Sci-Fi Now, Patty Jenkins opened up about her hopes for Wonder Woman, and the director admits she wants the movie to usher in a new era of female-led movies.

"If it succeeds it will make an impact. Obviously, I hope the film is super successful, and therefore I hope that becomes something people believe in. I think that I'm not the only person who's fighting that battle," Jenkins started.

"Things like The Hunger Games have already made a huge impact, and I think they helped open the door for us. It's finally saying: 'Look, there are people making these things with female leads that doesn't become a chicks' film! It becomes a film for both genders!' and so other people have opened the door, but I certainly hope that in the superhero genre this will change things."

As for the MCU, fans are still pushing the franchise to embrace its female characters. Not long ago, the president of Marvel Studios spoke with LRM about the company's desire to embrace characters of all genders.

"There are lots and lots of great female characters in the comics that we want to bring to life on the screen," Kevin Feige said before nodding to the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. "It's very important to James [Gunn] to include these characters. And more than just include them, give them their own storylines, and have it be more than just their ability to fight or their romance with a male character."

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

Joining Gadot in the international cast are Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Ewen Bremner and Saïd Taghmaoui. Patty Jenkins directs the film from a screenplay by Allan Heinberg and Geoff Johns, story by Zack Snyder and Allan Heinberg, based on characters from DC Entertainment. Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston.

The DCEU continues when Wonder Woman opens in theaters on June 2, 2017, followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash, The Batman, Dark Universe and Man of Steel 2 are currently without a release dates.

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