Athletic Women Blog - Wonder Woman

NBC passes on David E. Kelley's 'Wonder Woman'

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:38:00 -0400

A phrase I'm quite tired of repeating—we'll have to wait to see a live-action Wonder Woman.

Except this time, though I'm pained to say it, it's probably for the best. From casting right through to the writing it was becoming evident that this was going to be a weak, light-headed (the typical Hollywood treatment given to heroines) presentation of the classic superhero.

It is better that Wonder Woman retain some of her majesty and live to fight another day.

Is NBC paying attention to Wonder Woman fans?

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:09:00 -0400

Version 1.0 of the new Wonder Woman outfit didn't go over so well. That being the case, Wonder Woman producers and NBC have made a few tweaks.

Just to refresh your memory, here is the before image:

And now the latest, as seen during filming in LA last week:

I'll let the fashion police judge the design's merits as just that, fashion, since Wonder Woman's fashion sense doesn't rate a high concern with me. But there has been analysis combining both aesthetic and functional issues, like Sequential Tart's, that is worthwhile. And I do think it odd that they put Wonder Woman in pants but didn't bother to put straps on her top. Pants rarely ease movement, and sturdy legs can be a sign of power. Having the additional concern that your top might fall off while fighting the bad guys, however, seems more a problem.

Nor do I think much about whether Adrianne Palicki is "beautiful" enough or whether she compares favorably with Lynda Carter. My only concern regarding imagery is that she be convincing as a formidable heroine and potent as a symbol of physical strength to girls and women, nay, to all of us.

First look at NBC's Wonder Woman (prepare yourself)

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:28:00 -0400

It's not as though in popular culture girls and women have symbols of strength to spare. Perhaps if they did what David E. Kelley and NBC are doing to Wonder Woman wouldn't be quite as hurtful. The new Wonder Woman costume, as it will be worn by the actress playing Wonder Woman, was revealed Friday (in truth, probably floated as a trial balloon). Does this give you the impression of a super-strong heroine?

I suspect it doesn't. Indeed, it seems not to have for hundreds of commenters at EW.com, Facebook, and elsewhere:

Leo: "I agree! I do hate the costume, but I think she should be more toned. She looks frail and way to thin. This looks way too pin up and less Female Empowerment. This costume makes Linda Carter’s look like a pair of military fatigues."

Shaa-chan: "I agree 100%! I don’t ask much, she doesn’t have to look like a bodybuilder or anything, I would just like her to look like she has strength at all!"

Wilhemina: "Holy crap. Cheap Halloween costume-meets XXX parody costuming meets the tranny Kardashian. And those boobs are obviously, distractingly fake. Looks cheap all around. To think that this is comics’ premiere female hero. While Supes and Bats get big-budget films, reboots, and Oscar-winning franchises, the alleged third part of DC’s comic Trinity gets a crappy Ally McBeal Meets Smallville TV Pilot that already looks like a disaster."

Lisa: "I completely agree. I am so disappointed,because Wonder Woman was my favorite growing up. I watched the series religiously and even had a Wonder Woman Barbie. I was excited to be able to introduce my young daughter to an empowering female superhero….guess I’ll have to look elsewhere."

Still, we need to make absolutely certain this great heroine isn't ruined by Hollywood hacks. So, if you think it important that media represent women as athletes and physically capable beings, and I assume readers of this blog do, make your voice heard as well. Join the fight!

NBC has its Wonder Woman

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:40:00 -0500

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.

Wonder Woman wanted: "Long flowing black hair, blue eyes. Amazon-like, muscular, an Olympian"

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:05:00 -0500

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!

Amelia Cooke and the ballerina-action heroine nexus

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:08:00 -0500

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.

Wonder Woman is returning to television after all (Thank you NBC!)

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:08:00 -0500

I should have kept true to my Pollyanna self. Two weeks ago I reported that Wonder Woman would not be returning to television anytime soon. But thanks to NBC's new president of entertainment, Bob Greenblatt, she is. Greenblatt gave the go-ahead for David E. Kelley's Wonder Woman pilot last week, in one of his first moves after taking over the reins at NBC.

We'll have to wait and see if Kelley's version of the superheroine is worthy, but now we at least get to judge that for ourselves.

P.S. — Look for the "Who should be Wonder Woman?" poll to return shortly.

'Wonder Woman' series a no-go for now

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:10:00 -0500

Why it is so difficult to get a Wonder Woman film or television project off the ground I cannot fully explain. Certainly a sexist Hollywood mindset would supply part of the answer. But still...

Friday it was reported that David E. Kelley and DC Entertainment, after shopping around a spec script that Kelley had written, couldn't find a network willing to take on Wonder Woman. CW, which is under the same Warner Bros. parent umbrella as DC Entertainment, turned down the series because the license fees were too demanding. (Huh?) This may not be the final word on Kelley's Wonder Woman, but don't hold your breath.

There is a bit of good news to report, however. Twilight writer Melissa Rosenberg is working with ABC, whose parent company, Disney, now owns Marvel Comics, to bring Jessica Jones to television next fall. Consequently, one superheroine will have her own television series—and before Halley's comet returns (knock on wood).

Take a moment to be Santa Claus

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:17:00 -0500

Former taekwondo champion and Rigged star Rebecca Welsh, née Neuenswander, is a rightful contender to be Wonder Woman. In her case, however, a script may not be required—she already plays a wonder woman in real life with her HALO foundation. This year she once again asks that we help out too, by playing Santa Claus to her Wonder Woman:

'Who should be Wonder Woman?' — The early returns

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:33:00 -0500

There seems to be modest interest in the Who should be Wonder Woman? poll, I'm happy to report. And thus far voting has been spread evenly, without a runaway leader; I assume this follows from a superb group of contenders. Continue voting—you can vote more than once—and sending in nominations, or rather, start sending them in, as I haven't received any recently.

Oh, and have a wonderful holiday too!—

Vote for the new Wonder Woman!

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:10:00 -0500

Finally it is time to ask, "Who should be Wonder Woman?" And to your left (also here) you'll see a fancy (garish?) new poll where you can respond with your vote. There are, to begin with, ten candidates from which to make your choice. These women are, in the main, plausible and impeccably qualified; but the list also shuns banality. For example, it includes two world-class athletes (Gina Carano and Natalie Coughlin), the selection of either of whom to don the costume would set in place a grand message for young women.

But there is room for more, so (sensible) nominations are welcome. You can leave a comment here, or send in your suggestion by email.

David E. Kelley's "Wonder Woman" Must Succeed

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:32:00 -0500

Elizabeth Grunewald explains why, in her view, the new television series must succeed. But also in her post at the Escapist she ably provides a road map for how the series will succeed, namely:

Casting is going to be key. No, I'm underplaying it: casting is going to be crucial. Kelley needs to find an actress (perhaps an unknown, or at least a lesser-known) that can both redefine Wonder Woman for the generation that grew up on Lynda Carter, and introduce Diana Prince to a new generation of impressionable minds.

(Grunewald puts forth Gina Torres for the role, a good choice were this a few years ago. Jodi Lyn O'Keefe still gets my nod.)

Wonder Woman will rise or fall with the new Wonder Woman. The actress who will be Wonder Woman to this generation must embody the strength and dignity of the character, so that she is admired and respected by young and old, male and female alike. We've seen many times over on this blog that Hollywood is replete nowadays with talented athletic actresses. Let's hope that the people in charge of the new series put this bounty to good advantage.

Wonder Woman might return to television

nospam@example.com (Rob Mars) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:40:00 -0400

Like many people, I was thinking we'd see her next in a live-action film. But now it is starting to look as if Wonder Woman will be returning to television. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. A high-profile television series—one well-produced, well-written, and with the right star—could be equally worth looking forward to.