The scheduled release date is still two years from now, but already there has been a lot of buzz around “Wonder Woman 2,” the planned solo superhero sequel to the Warner Bros. and DC blockbuster starring Gal Gadot that premiered last June. Most of the excitement stems from the confirmation that the first film’s director Patty Jenkins will be giving it another whirl. She and executive producer Geoff Johns have already been busy writing the story treatment. That, in turn, will be expanded upon by a scriptwriter, and the production has also gotten that now as well.
Surprisingly, the writer is one whose credits include some of the most blatantly action-oriented movies in recent times, among them “The Expendables.”
‘Action movie’ veteran scribe
Dave Callaham has been confirmed to be joining the writing team on scripting duties for “Wonder Woman 2,” working on the initial treatment being developed by Geoff Johns and Patty Jenkins. His involvement comes mere days after the secret yet reportedly high-value deal between Warner Bros. and Jenkins to keep her on as director, co-producer, and co-writer. That had immediately generated a lot of public interest in the sequel film in the DC Extended Universe. The original “Wonder Woman” film has already garnered over $816 million in the global box office, praise from fans and professional critics, and even plans for Oscar nominations.
The tapping of Callaham for “Wonder Woman 2” scriptwriter was an interesting choice, given that his list of films skews prominently towards bombastic actions films reminiscent of the 1980s. As stated, he wrote for Sylvester Stallone’s action genre homage movie from Lionsgate, “The Expendables” (2010) and its sequel in 2012.
His earliest major feature credit is the 2005 adaptation of the video game “Doom,” and he also contributed to the writing staff of the 2014 Western reboot of “Godzilla” from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures.
Sequel a ‘mid-quel’
The first “Wonder Woman” was a story prequel following the first appearance of the character (Gal Gadot) in 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” It takes place during World War I of the DCEU and chronicles the first adventure of Princess Diana of Themyscira in “man’s world.” The sequel’s plot is still classified, but Patty Jenkins has hinted that it will move Wonder Woman’s story forward, though not to the present.
She sees it happening during the Cold War period, and may feature Diana’s “invisible jet” from the source material.
For the moment though, movies fans can catch their Wonder Woman fix by watching out for her and fellow DC superheroes on “Justice League,” coming this November 17. “Wonder Woman 2” is due to arrive in December 2019.
