Wonder Woman Director Explains What Diana Teaches About Being A Hero

05/30/2017 03:27 pm EDT

Wonder Woman is a hero through and through, but director Patty Jenkins wants to convey that it doesn't have as much to do with her powers as it does the choices she makes.

In a recent interview with the LA Times, Jenkins was asked why Wonder Woman is important today. The character inspires in many ways, but one Jenkins wanted to focus on was in action above words.

"To teach people the lessons of thinking for yourself and doing the right thing and trying to be a good person," Jenkins said. "There's so many things making it particularly difficult for people to learn to think for yourself. You are responsible. You are. For being a hero. Because no hero's going to come. It's going to be you. And you have to do it every day, not because anybody deserves it or anybody will know. You have to do it because that's who you are and that's what you believe."

The message seems to be clear that you don't need superpowers to be a hero, just the courage to step out and do something.

Wonder Woman hits movie theaters around the world next summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action-adventure from director Patty Jenkins. 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.

Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins and is written by Allan Heinberg, Geoff Johns, and Zack Snyder. The film stars Gal Gadot (Diana Prince/Wonder Woman), Chris Pine (Steve Trevor), Robin Wright (General Antiope), Connie Nielsen (Queen Hippolyta), David Thewlis, Elena Anaya, Lucy Davis (Etta Candy), Danny Huston, Ewen Bremmer, Doutzen Kroes, Samantha Jo (Euboea), Florence Kasumba (Senator Acantha), Said Taghmaoui, Eleanor Matsuura (Epione), Emily Carey (Young Diana), and Lisa Loven Kongsli (Menalippe).

The DCEU continues with 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.

MORE WONDER WOMAN: How Wonder Woman Has Already Inspired Change / Review: The Superheroine Movie Fans Deserve / Review Round-Up / Cinematographer Reveals Superman, Batman Begins Inspiration

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