When the trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 was first released, fans were pumped. And rightfully so – the return of Dianna Prince and Steve Trevor? Kirstin Wiig as a baddie? A banging 80s soundtrack? Wonder Woman swinging off lightning? The film was shaping up to be one of the best blockbusters in years.
But then the doubt started creeping in. This was, of course, a DC superhero film, and those often didn't do all that well. Equally, the film kept moving its release date, contending with reshoots and coronavirus shutdowns. Suddenly, the faith fans had in the film began to crumble and a pertinent question came to mind: can Wonder Woman 1984 ever possibly live up to the hype?
Indeed, the bar director Patty Jenkins has set for herself with Wonder Woman (2017) is awfully high. That film wasn’t only the first ‘modern’ female-led superhero movie, but, according to many, also the first good movie of the DC universe. Following Batman V Superman and Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman was a ray of hope, proof that something DC released by Warner Bros. could be unanimously considered good. This time around, however, there have been other female-lead superhero films (Captain Marvel, Birds of Prey, and Black Widow, eventually) and other good DC films (Shazam and Aquaman), meaning the film will be no longer be unprecedented but still have to attain the lofty heights of the first – not an easy feat.
Equally, expectations of the film have only grown, exacerbated by how delayed it’s become. The film was first delayed until June 5, 2020, with Jenkins indicating that the move was so that they can safeguard the quality of the film – a justifiable reason, but one that means the end result does have to be quality. Moreover, because of the coronavirus shutting down movie theaters, the film got delayed again and again, first to August 14 then October 2 then December 25, and now supposedly some undisclosed time in 2021. Throughout all this reshuffling, teasers and trailers and posters and interviews were wantonly released in an attempt to satiate fans – after so much has been put out there already, can the film possibly live up to these delays?
Additionally, Wonder Woman 1984 has even more historical through-lines to traverse. When the first film was released, all viewers had seen of Diana Prince were a few shots of her in Batman V Superman and one fight sequence – not really an in-depth character profile. This meant that Jenkins and actor Gal Gadot had a lot of leeway in deciding how to shape the character’s personality and sense of self in Wonder Woman; they didn’t have an overt blueprint to follow, so were unfettered in their approach.
This time around, however, it’s a metaphorical assault course. Audiences have now seen a lot more of historical Diana (in the first solo film) and modern Diana (in Justice League), so they have a much firmer idea of who the character is and where she has to be headed. This means Jenkins and Gadot somehow have to transform the character from the plucky person she is in her solo films into the loner present at the start of Batman V Superman: a solitary figure who’s resolved to “stay out of the affairs of men”. The pair are no longer free to do what they want with the character – they’re locked in.
Even in terms of content, Wonder Woman 1984 may now be outdated. From the film’s marketing and trailers, it’s clear that Pedro Pascal’s new interpretation of antagonist Maxwell Lord obviously has shadings of Donald Trump in him. A charismatic businessman and entrepreneur who found fame through TV work and who now controls the public through the dissemination of misinformation? That’s as Trumpian as they come. Plus, the film even has 1984 in its title – the allusions to fascist figures is hard to ignore.
Originally slated to be released on December 13, 2019, and then moved even earlier to November 1, the film was initially meant to be released midway through Trump’s tenure. By being released then, the parallel between Maxwell Lord and Trump would’ve been hard-hitting, drawing comparisons between the two villains. However, by being delayed so much, the film is likely to be released part-way through Biden’s first term, meaning Lord will no longer have quite the satirical edge that Jenkins and Pascal clearly wanted for the character.
Nevertheless, Wonder Woman 1984 could still live up to the hype. Jenkins has proven herself to be one of the most dependable filmmakers working today, and DC films have been enjoying a stellar run as of late – there’s every chance this film still sticks the landing. But in the face of endless delays, high expectations, and outdated features, the ‘hype’ may be one villain that Dianna Prince won’t be able to overcome.