With the return of Wonder Woman to the big screen in an '80s adventure, what should happen in the super-sequel (and what shouldn't)?
One of the most successful films set in the DCEU, Wonder Woman proved a victory worthy of legend in the annals of Themyscira for director Patty Jenkins, star Gal Gadot, and the entire creative team. Fans and critics alike felt that it commendably put its focus on compelling storytelling, a capable cast, and employed reticence when it came to an abundance of CGI.
Its follow up film Wonder Woman 1984, while not a direct sequel to the first film, will feature some members of the original cast, and project Wonder Woman into a brand new stand-alone adventure. Based on the two trailers released so far, fans have already begun to debate what they're expecting from the next Wonder Woman chronicle, and what they'd prefer it left out.
From the looks of the second Wonder Woman 1984 trailer, fans should get to return to Themyscira for more Amazonian action. Director Patty Jenkins has stated that the film will show more of Diana's coming-of-age origins, so they can expect to see her mastering her warrior training at different stages of her adolescence.
Themyscira was a big part of Wonder Woman, and its new-but-familiar environment in Ancient Greece, as well as its Amazonian culture, provided an enriching contrast to all the DCEU films set in the gritty and rain-soaked streets of urban centers.
While it's true that there are quite a few gods in the pages of Wonder Woman comics, featuring them in the first Wonder Woman was enough. The execution of Ares was considered the weakest part of the film by fans, so there's no need for Wonder Woman 1984 to revisit it.
Fans might have trepidation that the next Wonder Woman film won't do its villains justice, given that Ares proved such a disappointment. There's potential for a relatable villain, with a complex personality, whose powers aren't dominated by CGI in Pedro Pascal's Maximilian Lord, a powerful business mogul with incredible telepathic abilities.
Steve Trevor wasn't the typical love interest in Wonder Woman, but a man out of time who was forced to concede he'd met his match in an Amazon princess. He quickly went from being a cocky pilot and raconteur to becoming Wonder Woman's side-kick, without any fanfare.
Chris Pine imbued Steve with a wonderful sense of adventure, as well as a real respect for Diana, and fans have been excited to see how exactly he could be transplanted to the '80s after having been shot down by Doctor Poison's henchmen in the '40s. Pine has said that this version of Steve has "shed his sense of war" and can view the world with an open appreciation and boyish wonder.
For a superhero film of its size and scope, Wonder Woman had a refreshing balance of CGI and practical effects. Like Captain America: The First Avenger (which was set in the same time period), it managed to take place as a period film without having modern effects pull fans from the storyline.
Unfortunately, the final fight between Wonder Woman and Ares plunged the film into a typical CGI slog, removing anything that differentiated it from other DCEU films. The story gave way to the spectacle, and the next film should find a way to marry the two, and preserve everything that made Wonder Woman unique.
Most fans of Kristen Wiig know her from comedic roles in films like Bridesmaids or the Ghostbusters reboot, so watching her take on a villain like The Cheetah is particularly intriguing. Fans of Wonder Woman comics will know Cheetah as Wonder Woman's greatest nemesis, though her origins have been altered slightly for Wonder Woman 1984.
She starts as Barbara Minerva, an archaeologist and friend to Diana before a mysterious event grants her superhuman abilities and a cheetah-like appearance. In the comics, Minerva assumed the curse of an African deity, and the film may choose to follow the same origins.
Aside from the fact that both Batman and Superman would be young children in the mid '80s, there's no reason why Wonder Woman's second film should be crowded in with Justice League characters.
In much the same way that Man of Steel deserved its own sequel without the confusion of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman 1984 should still follow Diana's story, how her powers have changed over the decades since Steve Trevor's death, and how she reacts to saving the world again.
In Wonder Woman fans got to watch Diana wield the Lasso of Truth and do battle in the Bracelets of Submission. They even got to see her brandish the God Killer and later, the Sword of Athena. Wonder Woman 1984 should be the debut of the invisible jet, one of the most difficult pieces of her tech to bring to life outside of in an animated format.
Sure, Wonder Woman can fly, but the invisible jet is perfect for giving her protection and transporting cargo for secret missions. It's also an iconic part of her lore, and deserves at least a cameo in her next film.
Looking at the two trailers for the film, it's difficult to ascertain just how much the particular aesthetic of the '80s will permeate the film. The look of the film may cherry-pick the best aspects to use and discard the rest.
While Wonder Woman won't be sporting a banana clip anytime soon, some fans have had trepidation about Barbara Minerva, aka Cheetah's, look. She's shown to be wearing lots of animal print and big hair in one confrontational scene, and Pedro Pascal's Maximilian Lord looks like he belongs as an extra in Wall Street, guaranteeing homage to the decade of success that will hopefully be tasteful.
In Wonder Woman, Diana was just beginning to understand the extent of her powers, but in her next outing fans expect to see her in full command. The second trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 indicated as much with the reveal of a brand new golden costume with enormous wings.
She's glimpsed using her power of flight several times throughout the trailer, and in her battle with Cheetah she seems to have to call on every ability at her disposal. Fans want to see that since her pledge to protect the people of Earth from threats, she's only become a more capable warrior.
As triumphant and touching as Steve Trevor's return will be, there's the sobering notion that he may not make it to Patty Jenkin's planned third installment in the Wonder Woman franchise. Confirmation of this comes in the form of a scene between Batman and Wonder Woman in Justice League when Diana explains about the loss of Steve.
Fans assumed that scene was in reference to him being shot down by Doctor Poison's men, but now fans know their second separation must have happened after 1984, but prior to her inclusion in the Justice League. Fans will no doubt hope that Steve lasts at least through the trilogy.
