Now that Green Lantern‘s movie is shooting, a Flash movie is in script development and Christopher Nolan is working on not only a new Batman, but also a reboot of Superman, I don’t think it’ll be a massive surprise to anyone when Warner Bros. eventually gets around to announcing a Wonder Woman movie. I mean, she’s one of the oldest superheroes still going – Sorry, Diana, I know I’m probably not supposed to talk about a woman’s age – not mention, she has more recognition factor than either GL or The Flash to the average Joe or Joanne in the street and is one of DC Comics’ “trinity” of core characters, beside Superman and Batman. It’ll be stranger for her not to get a movie. So, when I read that Jennifer Love Hewitt is “obsessed” with the character and “fighting hard” to take the role in a movie, I’m not too surprised because, well, that’s a pretty smart career move for the now-canceled Ghost Whisperer star. I don’t think she’s right for the role, mind you (She’s too short! And too skinny! And she was in Party of Five!), but that’s the problem with Wonder Woman: What actress measures up to the role?
Years ago, I might’ve suggested Catherine Zeta Jones, who not only looks the part, but has the Greek heritage to fit the character (Yeah, yeah, she comes from Paradise Island, I know that. But she’s part of the Greek pantheon of gods, so I’ve always assumed she was at least part-Greek). And nowadays, I’d be tempted to offer up Morena Baccarin if she could wash the smell of V desperation off her. But, arguably even more than Superman, casting Wonder Woman is the kind of thing that comic fans can’t agree on – The character has become so idealized, so wrapped up in her own portrayal as a beautiful warrior slash goddess slash ambassador slash whatever that finding anyone who could satisfy expectations is almost impossible. And, as poor Brandon Routh knows, to fail at that kind of role means a career nosedive that requires both Chuck and Scott Pilgrim to try and pull yourself out of.
Maybe no-one could really play Wonder Woman to everyone’s satisfaction. Maybe we should let Jennifer Love Hewitt have the role after all, just because she really wants it and would try her hardest to make it work. Passion comes across in performance, right? And if all else fails, they could always try to CGI her taller or something.
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