Wonder Woman

The rest of us I'm not so sure about. Late yesterday it was announced that Adrianne Palicki will star in NBC's Wonder Woman pilot.



I was right about one thing, Kelley and NBC didn't waste any time. Indeed, now it seems they were in too much of a hurry, "... she was the only actress invited to test for it."

The putative casting sheet gave some hope they would choose someone with heft, that is, not the usual scrawny, not-so-athletic super- or action-heroine that has been Hollywood's staple. It might be too early to say, but that seems not to have happened.

We wish Adrianne luck—she certainly has her work cut out for her.

I have commented before on the apparently easy transition afforded ballerinas when they decide to take up action roles in film or television. The foremost example of this would of course be Jennifer Garner, but there are others too (e.g., Summer Glau). It might be that their specialized, extensive training gives them complete sovereignty over their physical self, and that the camera captures and somehow amplifies this. In any case, whatever the exact cause, one perceives something special when watching the ballerina-turned-action heroine perform—her movement is potent yet seamless and majestic, it has an almost mystical quality to it.

Amelia Cooke spent the better part of her youth as an aspiring ballerina: studying at the National Ballet of Canada for ten years, and touring with the company as well. What's more, in 1997, Amelia was given the "Outstanding Athlete of the Year" award in Toronto. Later she turned to modeling, then to acting. That has led, perhaps inevitably, to action roles. The following scenes from Alien Agent supply further testimony to the unique physicality of a trained ballerina:




Amelia is sometimes mentioned as a possible Wonder Woman, and she is one of the many excellent candidates listed in our poll. It seems to me that they could do much worse, and that Amelia might just be special enough for this special, all-important role.

Things are moving fast on the Wonder Woman pilot. Not only has a director been settled on but the search for the new Wonder Woman is already under way. According to the casting sheet circulating the Internet, Wonder Woman producers are looking for:

WONDER WOMAN / DIANA THEMYSCIRA / DIANA PRINCE] Female, late 20s to 30s. A kick-ass Superhero / Powerful C.E.O. / A vulnerable woman. Long flowing black hair, blue eyes. Amazon-like, muscular, an Olympian. The charismatic stage presence of a rock star. A crime fighter. Also, a real woman who yearns to live a normal life. She is accessible and appealing to all people, men and women alike…SERIES LEAD. ASP.

This is quite encouraging in my view (sans the "vulnerable woman" nonsense). Someone in Hollywood seems to have figured out that a superheroine, just like any superhero, must have a redoubtable presence if she is to be taken seriously. In other words, if the above is to be believed, the producers realize that they are looking for Wonder Woman not Wimpy Woman.

We also have good reason to think that at least two auditions have already taken place—Jill Wagner and Tanit Phoenix. Expect the casting process to continue at a fast pace, considering that the target date to start filming is March 15.

The poll here has been heating up as well. Over the last few days I have received several excellent nominations. I will be mildly shocked if the new Wonder Woman isn't to be found there. Without question a few of the women listed in our poll fit the description to a T!