When the first two movies in the new DC Universe came out they were polarizing, to say the least. However, the fourth movie in the DC Comics series turned things around big-time. "Wonder Woman" not only opened with a huge $100 million opening weekend domestically, but it is also one of the most critically-acclaimed superhero movies of all-time, currently sitting at 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie is also the best opening movie financially for any female-directed movie, with Patty Jenkins turning in a great effort.
Patty Jenkins' success story
This has to feel great for Patty Jenkins. She was originally supposed to direct "Thor: The Dark World" but Marvel replaced her due to creative differences. Jenkins rebounded nicely and moved on to "Wonder Woman" with Warner Bros. and DC Comics, where the companies were trying to figure out their own superhero universe after "Man of Steel" and "Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice" were polarizing thanks to a lack of humor, heart, and were seen as too dark.
With "Wonder Woman," the positive Word Of Mouth has resulted in a $100 million opening weekend in North America, which is the best opening for any female-directed movie. Patty Jenkins broke the record previously held by Sam Taylor-Johnson and "Fifty Shades of Grey," which opened with $85.1 million.
The Rotten Tomatoes score also has it much higher than the other three recent DC Comics movies with "Man of Steel" at 55 percent, "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" at 27 percent, and "Suicide Squad" at 25 percent. That will likely push the "Wonder Woman" total profits up as well, although all three of those movies had bigger opening weekends.
The next 'Wonder Woman' movie
The good news for DC Comics fans and superhero movie fans in general, is that Patty Jenkins is contractually obliged to return for the sequel. Both Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot are signed on for the sequel, which is now expected to be set in the present day. Originally, plans were for the "Wonder Woman" movies to move through the decades, leading to the present day, but it looks like they will just jump to the current time to play off the character's appearance in the upcoming "Justice League" movie.
Patty Jenkins also said that she isn't going to just phone it in after she knocked it out of the park with the first "Wonder Woman" movie. Jenkins said that she just wants to make great movies. From the look of her new superhero movie, she should have no problem doing that.
