When it comes to upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, the future is more unknown than ever. Last month, Kathleen Kennedy stepped down from her role as Lucasfilm president, and Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan stepped in as co-presidents. But could the change in the air mean Rogue Squadron is back on the table?

Following the end of the Star Wars sequel trilogy in late 2019, Lucasfilm announced a movie called Rogue Squadron from Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. The movie was then reportedly put on hold due to “creative differences” about a year later. Under the new leadership, is it a priority again? Here’s what Rogue Squadron screenwriter Matthew Robinson had to say:

Robinson (of The Invention of Lying, Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Love and Monsters) penned the script for Rogue Squadron before ultimately moving on to his latest movie, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. During an interview with Polygon, he shared not knowing about the state of Rogue Squadron, especially after the big transitions currently happening at Lucasfilm. He also had this to say:

Now, back in 2024, Patty Jenkins said she was working on the script again (via Variety) following her plans for Wonder Woman 3 falling apart due to DC’s own changing of the guard with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking over the helm. That being said, we haven’t heard much else about it since then.

Currently, Lucasfilm is getting ready to release its first big-screen Star Wars movie since 2019 with The Mandalorian and Grogu among 2026 movie releases before the Ryan Gosling-led original Star Wars: Starfighter comes out the following summer. There’s also a movie led by Daisy Ridley’s Rey that has been announced, but it has not yet entered production.

Outside of that, there’s been a lot of talk about various directors who are working on a Star Wars movie (like Taika Waititi, Simon Kinberg and James Mangold) in this new and mysterious upcoming era for the franchise, but we’ve yet to have more concrete announcements. Matthew Robinson’s comments make us more curious about what the Rogue Squadron script is all about and if it’ll ever see the light of day.

You can check out Matthew Robinson’s new movie Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die in theaters on February 13, and the next Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22.

Zack Snyder has a habit of reopening old wounds with a single social media post, and this week he did it again. The director shared yet another black-and-white throwback image with a simple caption, and it has me thinking about the DCEU spinoff that was announced but never produced.

The Image Zack Snyder Shared

The director shared a throwback image of the Amazon warriors of Themyscira, the same fierce lineup that helped open Zack Snyder’s Justice League, accompanied by a simple caption: “Don’t mess with the ladies of Themyscira. Warriors. Sisters. Legends.” As you can see below, the image is great on its own. But for longtime DCEU watchers, it’s also a reminder of something that never quite made it to the screen: The Themyscira spinoff film that was once announced, discussed, and then quietly left behind.

The incredible image is a reminder of just how indelible the Amazons were in Zack Snyder’s cut of the Justice League film, particularly during the extended Mother Box battle sequence that many fans still point to as one of the film’s most visceral highlights. That moment, largely absent from the theatrical cut, helped cement Themyscira as more than just Wonder Woman’s origin point. It became a fully realized world with stakes and with plans for a spinoff in the works.

A Reminder Of What Almost Was

Themyscira remains one of Zack Snyder’s most effective feats of world-building. From Wonder Woman through Justice League, the Amazons weren’t presented merely as elite fighters, but as a fully realized culture — mythic, disciplined, and unified by purpose. Their presence carried real weight, from the physicality of the performances to the operatic scale of their battles.

That’s why a standalone Themyscira project once felt like such an obvious next step. The proposed spinoff wasn’t meant to be a side quest; it was positioned as an expansion, one that would explore Amazon history, internal politics, and conflict beyond Diana herself. At the time, it was widely understood as a meaningful piece of the larger Snyderverse puzzle.

For a while, a Themyscira-focused project seemed inevitable. Which is why this throwback image hits harder than expected. As one Instagram user, @motion.picture_updates, put it:

In late 2019, Patty Jenkins revealed she was developing her Amazon-centered spinoff film titled The Amazons, conceived as both a prequel and a sequel to Wonder Woman. The project was designed to explore the origins of Themyscira while also connecting the events of Wonder Woman 1984 to a planned third film. Jenkins was never intended to direct, but remained attached as a producer, with Connie Nielsen confirming she would return as Queen Hippolyta. Like much of the DCEU’s original roadmap, that version of the story quietly disappeared when DC reset its plans.

The DCU Plans for Themyscira

Ironically, the idea of putting Themyscira front and center never vanished but simply changed shape. Under DC Studios’ reboot led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, Warner Bros. announced Paradise Lost, a live-action series set on the island long before the birth of Diana Prince. Described as “Game of Thrones–ish,” the show was pitched as a political drama focused on power, ambition, and intrigue within an all-women society.

Unlike anything Zack Snyder or Patty Jenkins had planned, Paradise Lost was designed to exist entirely outside previous continuity, focusing on Themyscira itself. And yet, nearly three years after its announcement, meaningful updates have been scarce, making the resurfaced image a reminder of a path left unexplored.

The Sucker Punch filmmaker's Instagram post doesn’t tease a revival or hint at unfinished business, despite what many comments suggest. But it doesn’t have to. By revisiting the Amazons in this stark, mythic form, he’s quietly recalling a version of Themyscira that once promised scale and spectacle, while Paradise Lost was meant to represent the future.

Whether fans prefer one vision over the other, one thing is clear: Themyscira still looms large over DC’s past and its uncertain future. And if a single black-and-white image can spark this much debate, it may be a sign that the Amazons aren’t a side story at all, but a main event still waiting its turn.

When it comes to the brand new DCU, there are three characters who will be key to its overall success. Superman is here and off to a great start. Batman’s first project is in development. But what the future holds for Wonder Woman is a bit of a question mark. James Gunn has said doing something with the character is a priority, but we don’t know what sort of project we could get or when we might see it. We also don’t know who would be put in charge of it, though Patty Jenkins may be available.

Jenkins directed both of the previous live-action Wonder Woman movies (which are streaming with a HBO Max subscription). While the sequel Wonder Woman 1984, was seen as a flop, and it's really not that great, the first of those films is one of the best films the previous DC Universe created. As such, I would love to see Jenkins return to Wonder Woman in the new DCU, and when asked by m.c.u.n if she would like to do that, she didn’t close the door on the idea, saying…

What Patty Jenkins is doing now is actually an interesting question. It was recently announced that she was set to direct one of three upcoming live-action LEGO movie projects, with Jake Kasdan and Joe Cornish directing the other two. Jenkins is directing a script she co-wrote with former DC Comics chief Geoff Johns.

Beyond that, it was recently reported that Rogue Squadron, the Star Wars project she was set to direct, may be getting retooled as a Disney+ series. It’s unclear if Jenkins herself is still attached to the project.

It was reported that Patty Jenkins had a pitch for Wonder Woman 3, but it was killed by the new regime at DC Films, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Under the circumstances, it’s all but certain that the reason for not moving forward with Wonder Woman 3 had less to do with the movie itself and more to do with the plan to reboot the entire franchise. As such, when the time comes to do something with Wonder Woman, it’s still possible Jenkins could be in the mix. The way she launched the character certainly worked last time.

Even if it isn’t directly Wonder Woman-related, Patty Jenkins is a great writer and director, and her talents could be put to good use in some future part of the new DCU. With all the new movies and shows that we’ll be getting in the coming years, they will need lots of talent.

When Disney purchased Lucasfilm, it did so with a massive plan for the expansion of the Star Wars universe. We were to get an entirely new trilogy, as well as numerous spinoff movies. While we did get that trilogy and a couple of spinoffs, the vast majority of Star Wars movies that Lucasfilm has tried to make in the last few years have failed to materialize. One of the most frustrating losses has been Rogue Squadron.

In 2020, Disney revealed plans to make a Rogue Squadron movie helmed by Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. Of all the Star Wars projects we’ve failed to see materialize, this is the one I’m most disappointed to have lost, but a new rumor indicates that the project may be getting new life in a new way.

Rogue Squadron Movie May Be Getting Retooled As A Series

'The history of Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie has already been something of a roller coaster. First, the movie was announced, then it was reportedly placed on indefinite hold. Then there were reports that rumors of its demise had been greatly exaggerated, only to not hear anything about it again for approaching two years.

However, serial scooper MyTimeToShineH is claiming (via SFFGsazette) that Rogue Squadron is alive again, although it’s no longer being developed as a film, but instead as a TV series. While the source of the rumor has a mixed track record, it has been accurate before, so there’s reason to believe this could be true.

Rogue squadron Can Still Work As A Series

While I’m still bummed that Rogue Squadron is seemingly dead as a film, if it finds new life as a series, I’ll take what I can get. I was certainly looking forward to what I expected would be some incredible space battle scenes on a massive IMAX movie screen, but it’ll still look pretty good in 4K on TV, too.

It’s unclear if Patty Jenkins is actually still attached to the project or if this new version of Rogue Squadron is moving on without her. She certainly seemed passionate about it, so one hopes she’s still involved. I could see her taking on a role like James Gunn’s with Peacemaker, where she writes the whole story and directs most, if not all, of the episodes.

I have to wonder if the fact that the Ryan Gosling-led Star Wars: Starfighter is currently filming has something to do with the retooling. The titles alone would imply that both stories focus on pilots in the Star Wars universe. Perhaps there was a feeling that making them both movies would have made them too similar. Although, since we have no idea what either story actually is, that's just speculation.

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard that Rogue Squadron isn’t dead, only for the project to go radio silent again. Considering this all just a rumor, we’ll have to simply wait and see whether anything really comes of this idea. I’m hoping the rumor turns out to be reality, though I’m not holding my breath.

There are popular movie franchises, and then there's Star Wars. Generations grew up with the galaxy far, far away, which results in a huge fanbase. But this can also make the pressure to produce new content all the more high, especially for upcoming Star Wars movies. One of the announced Star Wars projects is Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron, which looked like it was DOA for a while. Sorry Chris Pine, but Wonder Woman 3 being cancelled actually opened up the door for Jenkins to focus on her Star Wars project.

Scheduling can be tricky in Hollywood, which was the case when Patty Jenkins was trying to develop both Wonder Woman 3 and Rogue Squadron. Chris Pine recently admitted he was shocked the third Wonder Woman film didn't happen... even if he wasn't expecting to return as Steve Trevor. While appearing on the Talking Pictures Podcast, Jenkins spoke about about the scheduling puzzle of those two projects, offering:

Is anyone else's head spinning? Clearly the Star Wars franchise is very much in flux. Because while we have been treated with shows that can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription, it's been noticeably missing from theaters. And all eyes are on what project will be the first post-Skywalker Saga movie to be released. 

Indeed, there are a number of titles that fans are eagerly waiting updates from. Lucasfilm announced a new trilogy that's in the works, with each of the movies focusing on a different point in the timeline. That includes a movie which will feature Daisy Ridley's return as Rey, and is set after the ending of The Rise of Skywalker. Plus there's also Taika Waititi's mysterious Star Wars flick.

Later on her same podcast appearance, Patty Jenkins addressed the pressure on Lucasfilm to deliver with its first post-sequel trilogy release. As she put it:

While Wonder Woman 1984 didn't fare well critically, Patty Jenkins still seems like an excellent choice to bring a grounded Star Wars movie like Rogue Squadron to life. She seems optimistic about the project, so that's definitely a good sign.

Only time will tell what Star Wars movie hits theater first, but fans are definitely paying attention. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

There are long-running movie franchises, and there's Star Wars. The fandom spans generations, most of which grew up on the galaxy far, far away. But after the ending of The Rise of Skywalker, the franchise has been noticeably missing from theaters, instead expanding thanks to shows available with a Disney+ subscription. There are a number of upcoming Star Wars movies and shows, many of which are still early in the development process. I thought Rogue Squadron was DOA, but is Patty Jenkins' Star Wars movie still happening after all?

Despite its announcement and tease, it was revealed in 2021 that Rogue Squadron was put on on indefinite hold by the studio. No major announcements for that project have happened in years, with Patty Jenkins allegedly having creative differences with the studio. But the Wonder Woman filmmaker recently appeared on the Talking Pictures podcast, where she revealed that Rogue Squadron might still happen after all. As she put it:

Well, there you have it. Sounds like Jenkins is still interested in putting her spin on the Star Wars franchise with Rogue Squadron. So perhaps this project could still end up coming together, years after it was originally expected to arrive in theaters. Fingers (and lightsabers) crossed!

Per Jenkins' recollection, it was her commitment to the Wonder Woman franchise that originally took her away from Rogue Squadron. But Wonder Woman 3 was cancelled, as as the DCEU as a whole. Later in that same interview, Jenkins spoke about her continued attachment to her Star Wars flick, saying:

There you have it. Jenkins isn't wrong, as movie side of Star Wars is still very much a question mark. Lucasfilm announced a new trilogy, but none of those developing movies have real timelines for production just yet. Then there's other announced projects like Taika Waititi's movie. Hopefully Lucasfilm moves forward with one of these titles sooner rather than later. 

The Star Wars franchise is currently streaming on Disney+. For now, check out the 2024 movie release dates.

As we head into 2024, Marvel Studios fans only have one movie to circle on the upcoming calendar: Shawn Levy’s Deadpool 3, which will arrive in theaters in July and follow Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) on a multiversal adventure… at least, that’s what we think the sequel is going to be about. Only having one movie on the calendar appears to be Marvel’s effort to steer back toward “quality over quantity,” as several fans have felt that Phases 4 and 5 of the MCU have lacked when compared to The Infinity Saga. That’s not to say the Infinity Saga was without its faults. There were more than a few missteps as Kevin Feige built his unprecedented cinematic universe, and if you watch the Marvel movies in order, you can see where the growing pains took place. 

One such early stumble was Chris Hemsworth’s sequel Thor: The Dark World, the eighth Marvel Studios movie and the second story in the studio’s Phase 2. Marvel was riding high at the time, given the mammoth success of the superhero team-up movie The Avengers, and Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 earning more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Behind the scenes on Thor: The Dark World, however, things weren’t nearly as smooth.

How Patty Jenkins got involved.

The recent book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios has some fascinating passages on the struggles between Kevin Feige, his filmmakers, and the Creative Committee that Marvel Entertainment had established in New York City. Quite often, this group of comic-book writers and toy-making executives passed notes to the Hollywood arm, aiming to boost sales… usually to the detriment of the creatives working on the movies. When the book reaches Thor: The Dark World, it’s revealed that the film’s original director, Patty Jenkins, met resistance from the Creative Committee on her planned direction. 

Jenkins got the job, in part, because Thor star Natalie Portmana lobbied on her behalf. The director was coming off of the critically acclaimed Monster, a 2003 drama that earned Charlize Theron her Academy Award. As Jenkins remembers it:

Patty Jenkins’ original idea for the movie, however, differed from the version that we originally got. And the Creative Committee made things difficult. 

What went wrong for Patty Jenkins?

According to the book, many of the decisions being made by the Creative Committee at that time were driven by toy sales. And it was the committee’s belief that kids weren’t buying anything that wasn’t male, and white. This led to the death of a planned Power Pack movie, because the characters were too young and diverse. And it prevented Hela from being the planned villain of Thor: The Dark World.

Marvel Producer Craig Kyle confirms this in the book, stating:

It’s staggering to think about how different the MCU might have been if Hela could have been introduced in Thor: The Dark World. Fans who are following the most recent season of Marvel’s What If?, available to anyone with a Disney+ subscription, know that Hela plays a significant part of the narrative, and could have impacted the live-action slate of MCU movies. We also go on to learn, though, that Jenkins saw Thor: The Dark World as the potential to deliver an MCU Romeo and Juliet, building on the Shakespearean themes embedded by Thor helmer Kenneth Branagh. But the Creative Committee had other thoughts. 

Part of it was driven by toy sales, and Marvel Entertainment not believing that a cosmic love story between Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) would move merchandise. And part of it was driven by the MCU’s overall need to establish the Infinity Stones. Ultimately, Jenkins received a new script draft that deemphasized her romance, and ramped up both Malekith the Dark Elf and the Aether. So she walked. 

Said Jenkins:

So Patty Jenkins quit, and let her opportunity to direct a Marvel movie fall by the wayside. Sadly for Natalie Portman, however, she didn’t have that luxury. 

What effect did this have on Natalie Portman?

When Marvel Studios managed to sign Natalie Portman for the role of Jane Foster in Thor, it was a casting coup for a young studio that was still trying to establish itself. Remember, Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t the bankable all-star that Iron Man helped turn him into, and the two Chrises – Evans and Hemsworth – were still unproven. The early Marvel movies landed a few heavy-hitting character actors in supporting parts, but Portman’s signing was significant. 

And now the director that she actively recruited was gone. And Portman was contractually obligated to stay. She wasn’t happy, at all. And in the MCU book, it’s reported that Portman declared herself finished with the franchise, refusing to make herself available for reshoots… something essential for blockbusters, and a huge part of the Marvel process. Apparently, for the post-credits scene featured below, Marvel had to put Hemsworth’s real-life wife Elsa Pataky in a long, brown wig to shoot this final kiss:

Hilarious. The magic of movies! 

In the end, things worked out for almost all involved. Patty Jenkins went on to helm Wonder Woman, considered by most to be one of the best superhero movies ever made. Natalie Portman agreed to return to the franchise to play The Mighty Thor in Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder. Except, Alan Taylor took over for Jenkins, delivered a stinker of the movie, but rebounded with The Many Saints of Newark, a stellar prequel to The Sopranos. We don’t know yet the future of Thor in the MCU, but the saga needs legacy heroes, so we expect to see Hemsworth in his Thor suit sometime in years to come.

Some filmmakers require time to find their voice. They have to make a few simply "ok" features before having the skills required to make their masterpiece. But that's not the case with the directors featured on this list. These folks quickly figured out what they could do with a camera, and they produced magic with their first feature.

It's a terribly hard thing to do, but here are 32 directors who made great films on their very first try.

Orson Welles – Citizen Kane

A lot of incredible films are highlighted on this list, but Citizen Kane is special given that in addition to being Orson Welles’ first feature, it’s considered by many to be the greatest movie all time. The hunt for the meaning behind a publishing titan’s last word is endlessly compelling and a fascinating examination of the soul corruption that comes with a rise to power.

Quentin Tarantino – Reservoir Dogs

Before making modern and instant classics like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, the legend of Quentin Tarantino began with the phenomenal Reservoir Dogs. The sharp dialogue, the non-linear storytelling, the tense violence and the needle-drop centric soundtrack all instantly confirmed that Tarantino was a talent to watch.

Jordan Peele – Get Out

It came as a shock when comedian Jordan Peele announced that he was shifting to a new phase of his career, as he wanted to pursue his true passion: directing horror movies. It was hard to know what to make of the decision at the time, but Peele has since established himself as one of the industry’s greatest genre filmmakers, and it all started with the stunning Get Out. It’s scary, layered, and the big third act twist never loses its impact.

Spike Jonze – Being John Malkovich

Spike Jonze wasn’t exactly inexperienced when he took the helm of Being John Malkovich as his first feature, as he had established himself as a genius talent in the world of music videos, but that doesn’t take anything away from his accomplishments. It’s a wild, strange, and perfect execution of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman’s genius and cerebral script, and both the design and cinematography make it unforgettable.

Sidney Lumet – 12 Angry Men

It requires incredible skill to direct a film that almost entirely takes place in a single room and juggles 12 different characters with different perspectives… but there’s a reason why Sidney Lumet is considered one of history’s greatest filmmakers. The basic description of 12 Angry Men doesn’t sound particularly cinematic, but it grips you from the start, and keeps you fascinated throughout – particularly thanks to one of Henry Fonda’s greatest performances.

Joel & Ethan Coen – Blood Simple

Joel and Ethan Coen are masters of crime fiction, and they proved that instantly in the start of their careers as feature filmmakers. Blood Simple is a tense neo-noir that comes with all of the trimmings of the genre – from the chiaroscuro lighting to a brilliant femme fatale turn from Frances McDormand – and M. Emmett Walsh is a force as the relentless Loren Visser.

Rob Reiner – This Is Spinal Tap

Few filmmakers have had runs like what Rob Reiner accomplished in the 1980s/1990s, sequentially making Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men, but his genius as a director was first established with 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap: a hilarious rock n’ roll mockumentary widely considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time.

Sam Raimi – The Evil Dead

In the late 1970s/early 1980s, Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell were college students determined to make their first ever feature, and traveled from Michigan to a dilapidated cabin in Tennessee to make The Evil Dead. The production of the film was an absolute nightmare, but the juice was very much worth the squeeze, as the movie exists as a testament to brilliant imagination, and it is an important classic in the history of the horror genre.

Frank Darabont – The Shawshank Redemption

After writing a brilliant adaptation of Stephen King’s novella “Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption,” Frank Darabont actually took a major pay cut so that Castle Rock Entertainment would allow him to make The Shawshank Redemption his directorial debut. This turned out to be a legendary move that has cemented Darabont in cinematic history, as the movie is one of the most beloved of all time and an antidote to cynicism.

John Singleton - Boyz n The Hood

With his directorial debut, John Singleton captured the perspective of an underrepresented audience on the big screen – crafting a Stand By Me-esque coming-of-age story about life in south central Los Angeles. In one of his earliest roles, Cuba Gooding Jr. demonstrates incredible talent alongside Ice Cube and Morris Chestnut, but it’s Laurence Fishburne’s Furious Styles for which the film will always be remembered.

Emerald Fennell – Promising Young Woman

Emerald Fennell made quite an impression in 2020 with the debut of Promising Young Woman – a primal scream of a movie that captures the horrors that women experience in our modern world and comes together as a darkly comedic revenge thriller. Carey Mulligan’s performance is wicked, and it sports a finale that leaves the audience breathless and mind-blown.

Dan Gilroy – Nightcrawler

Jake Gyllenhaal is unquestionably one of the greatest actors of his generation, and Nightcrawler sees him let off the leash to showcase his phenomenal cinematic presence. Dan Gilroy was an experienced screenwriter prior to making his directorial debut, and one can understand why he wanted to make this movie himself: it’s a vicious, Taxi Driver-esque look at crime scene videography and a stunning and cutting commentary on “if it bleeds, it leads” culture in local journalism.

George A. Romero – Night Of The Living Dead

There aren’t exactly a lot of filmmakers who successfully launched an entire new subgenre with their first feature, but that’s exactly what George A. Romero did with Night Of The Living Dead. The zombie film was a shocking standout upon its original release – featuring a Black actor as its lead and a series of nightmarish scenes of horror – and its genius is no less apparent today.

Rian Johnson – Brick

Long before wowing us with his ensemble-driven Benoit Blanc mysteries Knives Out and Glass Onion, Rian Johnson stunned cinephiles as a first-time director with Brick. It’s a stylized neo-noir that stands out with its high school backdrop and young characters, and it dazzles with unyielding tension, unique dialogue, and a terrific third act reveal.

Tom Hanks – That Thing You Do!

Admit it: even just seeing the title of That Thing You Do! has immediately gotten the eponymous song stuck in your head. But on top of that track being two minutes and 50 seconds of peppy greatness, the film is a fantastic tale about a one hit wonder that pops thanks to Tom Hanks’ excellent direction and a delightful ensemble cast.

David Lynch – Eraserhead

It didn’t take long for David Lynch to tell cinephiles what he is all about. The auteur filmmaker established his nightmarish, cerebral sensibilities from the get-go with Eraserhead – which is a confident work from the first time director and paved the road for further masterpieces like Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks.

Amy Heckerling – Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Amy Heckerling would easily be in the Coming-Of-Age Movie Hall Of Fame if Clueless were the only film on her filmography, but it was 13 years earlier that she made one of the genre’s all-time greatest titles as her directorial debut: Fast Times At Ridgemont High. There is so much to love about this film, from the radical Jeff Spicoli, to the drama of the relationship between Stacy and Mark, to the sounds of The Cars’ “Living In Stereo.”

Destin Daniel Cretton – Short Term 12

It’s a remarkable thing when a film, a series of images mixed with sound rapidly displayed to show movement, can touch your soul, but that’s something that Destin Daniel Cretton’s powerful directorial debut does – centering on the staff of a residential treatment facility. In retrospect, the ensemble cast in this one is beyond outstanding (including Brie Larson, Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, LaKeith Stanfield, and Stephanie Beatriz), and their talents are on full display.

Patty Jenkins – Monster

Patty Jenkins’ directorial debut, Monster, is far from a fun cinematic experience, and one actually feels compelled to take a shower after watching it, but it’s a riveting work. Charlize Theron delivers what is arguably the best performance of her career and earned her Academy Award.

Josh & Benny Safdie - Good Time

Cinephiles were thrilled to discover the cinematic heart attack that is Josh and Benny Safdie’s Uncut Gems in 2019, but anyone who watched the brothers’ directorial debut was at the very least mentally prepared for the experience. Starring Robert Pattinson, Good Time is a deeply stressful crime film that comes packed with touches of Of Mice And Men, and it leaves a deep impression on whoever watches it.

Darren Aronofsky – Pi

Darren Aronofsky has a gift for making movies that makes you want to curl up in a ball and cry (see: Requiem For A Dream, Black Swan, mother!), and it’s a mode he hasn’t diverted from since making his feature debut with Pi. It’s a stylistic story of obsession and has one of the most upsetting endings of all time.

John Huston - The Maltese Falcon

There are some films that are held up as the true classics of classic film noir, and right alongside Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, Bill Wilder’s Double Indemnity and Carol Reed’s The Third Man is John Huston’s phenomenal The Maltese Falcon. Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade is an icon of detective fiction, and the twists and turns of the mystery feel as fresh today as ever.

Ari Aster - Hereditary

Ari Aster has quickly become one of the most exciting modern filmmakers making original horror, and that’s in part because audiences are still experiencing nightmares from his directorial debut. A look at both generational trauma and grief, Hereditary is a movie so scary that it would make you feel cold if you were in the middle of the desert, and has more than a few images that end up tattooed on the back of your eyelids as you try to go to sleep at night.

Michael Mann - Thief

Nobody makes crime movies like Michael Mann, and it all started with Thief. It’s a thrilling and captivating look at a talented Chicago criminal who is looking for his way into legitimacy and finds himself fighting forces that try and drag him back into his shady business. The movie features one of James Caan’s best performances, and the talented ensemble includes Jim Belishi, Dennis Farina and Willie Nelson.

Francois Truffaut - The 400 Blows

Valued as an important part of cinema history and the French New Wave, Francois Truffaut’s The 400 Blows is a powerful coming-of-age story starring Jean-Pierre Léaud as Antoine Doinel, a troubled youth who ends up quitting school and turning to thievery, only to be apprehended and thrown in a juvenile detention center. Truffaut is recognized for having created some of the most beautiful films to ever be produced in France, and it all started here.

Jean Luc Goddard - Breathless

Another evocative title that emerged from the French New Wave, Jean Luc Goddard’s Breathless is a visually stunning work of crime and love, with tremendous cinematic innovation, attitude that bleeds off the screen, and an outstanding performance from star Jean-Paul Belmondo in his breakout role.

Barry Jenkins – Medicine For Melancholy

Barry Jenkins first earned widespread acclaim in 2016 for his film Moonlight (which deservingly won Best Picture at the Academy Awards), but not to be slept on is the debut feature he made eight years earlier: Medicine For Melancholy. Starring Wyatt Cenac and Tracey Heggins and set over the course of a single day, it’s a beautiful and emotional romantic drama.

Steven Soderbergh - Sex, Lies, And Videotape

Steven Soderbergh is now recognized as one of the most talented, eclectic filmmakers in cinema, but it all started with Sex, Lies And Videotape – a fascinating romantic drama with brilliant meta levels examining intimacy via camera.

George Miller – Mad Max

Many genre classics have been covered in this list, and now it’s time to dive into one of the greatest action/adventure films of all time. With Mad Max, George Miller takes us to an unnerving not-to-distant future full of violence and chaos, and his unique skills as a filmmaker capturing all that wildness all in camera is what makes this a forever-thrilling experience.

Damien Chazelle – Whiplash

One can read and learn that there is intense competition in performance arts schools, but it’s another thing to live it – and that’s what audiences get to do in Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash. Miles Teller is brilliant as the determined and talented Andrew Neiman, but it’s the Oscar-winning work of J.K. Simmons that makes this outstanding directorial debut exceptional.

Mel Brooks – The Producers

Every legendary cinematic run has to start somewhere, and for Mel Brooks, it was with the brilliance of The Producers. Long before he was shocking with the world with Blazing Saddles and History Of The World Part I, the brilliant comedian unleashed his tale of a Broadway scheme and the insanity of “Springtime For Hitler.”

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker And Jerry Zucker – Airplane!

In the 1980s/1990s, nobody made spoof movies like Jim Abrahams, David Zucker And Jerry Zucker, and they quickly established their special comedic voice with their directorial debut: Airplane! The insane pacing of the jokes and the sheer ridiculousness of everything make this a movie that threatens to choke you with laughter, and there are so, so many quotable lines – many thanks to the deadpan brilliance of Leslie Nielsen.

This list obviously has the potential to grow forever, and it'll be exciting to see who the next big breakout movie directors are. 

Many incredible movies created by women are available to watch now, and today, we will discuss the game-changers. Throughout the history of cinema, many notable films have come out that have changed the course of history. From the best fantasy films to the best horror films to so many others – I could talk about them for hours. 

However, today, we will focus on a specific group of fantastic women who have directed game-changing movies. Barbie was released in 2023, directed by Greta Gerwig, and along with this blockbuster, we’re going to go down the list and talk about 12 films that have changed lives forever, some older and some new.

Barbie (2023, Greta Gerwig)

First up on the list is Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. If you haven’t seen Barbie yet, I’m unsure what you’re doing because it’s been everywhere the last few months. The film follows Barbie as she enters the real world when she realizes she needs to make the girl playing with her happy again for her to remain a normal Barbie. 

The movie received stellar reviews and became the highest-grossing movie ever directed by a woman, with over $1 billion documented at the box office, it broke major records at Warner Bros. Now, I’m pretty sure everyone wants to be a Barbie. Me included. 

Wonder Woman (2017, Patty Jenkins)

Wonder Woman was released in 2017. The first movie follows the story of Diana Prince, a female warrior known as an Amazon who takes on the role of Wonder Woman when the Amazonian's lives are threatened by outside forces that might be caused by Ares, the Amazonian’s long-time enemy, and who just might be causing World War I.

Wonder Woman is not only one of the few female-centric superhero movies, but it was the first superhero movie directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins. She returned to direct the second film, but it’s unclear if Wonder Woman 3 will happen since the shakeup at DC with James Gunn. Right now, it’s not in the works, but who knows what will happen. 

While the third installment might be in question, there's no denying the power of 2017's Wonder Woman. 

The Hurt Locker (2008, Kathryn Bigelow)

Kathryn Bigelow directed The Hurt Locker. It was an intense and gritty war movie that detailed the journey of an Iraq War Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, from their time in combat to how it affected them afterward and their PTSD. 

With The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director in 2009. Since then, there have been two other winners – Chloé Zhao (who we will talk about next) and Jane Campion, who directed 2021's The Power of the Dog. Even so, Bigelow was the first ever to win, and that in itself is a huge accomplishment. 

Nomadland (2020, Chloé Zhao)

Nomadland tells the story of a widow who travels around the United States in her van, living her life as a nomad. Chloé Zhao directed the movie, and she was the second woman ever to win Best Director at the Academy Awards.

This film is impressive for so many reasons, but for me, it’s always been the fantastic cinematography that stands out as a true highlight. Zhao put in some tremendous work when making this 2021 Best Picture winner and it shows through its gorgeous imagery and wonderful performance from Frances McDormand.

American Psycho (2000, Mary Harron)

Directed by Mary Harron, American Psycho was a satirical psychological horror film starring Christian Bale. It told the story of an investment banker who spent his nights as a serial killer while keeping it hidden from his everyday life of working in NYC. 

Harron created a classic with American Psycho. Not only is Bale’s performance considered one of the best in horror, but the story itself is full of hilarious black comedy that looks at themes such as yuppie culture, capitalism, and the need to consume the best of everything. There are also some awesome American Psycho behind-the-scenes facts you should check out too that make the movie even better.

Lady Bird (2019, Greta Gerwig)

Of course, I’m putting Lady Bird on here. Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut was a solid coming-of-age movie that detailed the life of a young girl trying to live her life, and her complicated relationship with her mother. 

I love this movie. I have for a long time. Gerwig delivered something so raw and perfect with Lady Bird that I find it hard to discover another coming-of-age film close to its greatness. It perfectly details the transition of becoming a young woman and the complex feelings that arise with not only our family but within ourselves. 

The Woman King (2022, Gina Prince-Bythewood) 

The Woman King was released in 2022 and was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The movie is based on a real group of warrior women in Africa called the Agojie that existed between the 17th and 19th centuries, and mainly follows a general as she trains the next generation of warriors against their enemies. 

This film was a snub at the Academy Awards, and it deserved much more recognition. The Woman King cast is stunning, but Viola Davis was the big star. And Prince-Bythewood brought an incredible historical-action film that showed badass women refusing to back down in the face of their enemies. I love it. 

The Babadook (2014, Jennifer Kent) 

Arguably, The Babadook, directed by Jennifer Kent, began a trend of psychological horror movies taking over at the box office years later, such as Ari Aster’s Midsommar or Hereditary. The film tells the story of a single mother dealing with her son seeing a humanoid monster in their home, but it soon turns their lives upside down. 

The movie is just utter perfection in terms of horror. Truthfully, it’s one of the best horror movies of the last 20 years, and I would re-watch it again. Kent built suspense in such a way that now, it’s imitated in many other psychological horror movies that have been released. 

The Farewell (2019, Lulu Wang)

Released in 2019 and directed by Lulu Wang, The Farewell follows the story of a Chinese American family who discovers that their grandma does not have long to live. So, they decide to schedule a family gathering for everyone to celebrate her one last time, instead of telling the older woman of her fate. 

The Farewell is one of those movies that comes once in a lifetime where everything fits perfectly. The film accurately depicts the lives of Asian culture. It features a stellar leading Asian cast, and it highlights Awkwafina's talents as a dramatic actor. She’s going to be in a new movie called Quiz Lady soon, but in my mind, this movie is her best so far.

Marie Antoinette (2006, Sofia Coppola)

Sofia Coppola has been making some headlines for her new film, Priscilla, which will be released later in 2023, but my favorite of hers has always been Marie Antoinette. Released in 2006, the film depicts the life of the famous Queen of France, especially in the years leading up to the French Revolution. 

Not only did the movie win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, but Coppola gave audiences a movie that had some of the best cinematography for a period piece. Marie Antoinette was a visual spectacle for the eye.

Clueless (1995, Amy Heckerling)

Clueless, directed by Amy Heckerling, was a coming-of-age teen comedy that was loosely based on the Jane Austen novel Emma and took place in Beverly Hills. The movie follows a teenager who decides to start doing more good deeds, but in doing so, she starts to learn more about herself and how much she can change too.

The film has been labeled as one of the most epic teen films ever. You can’t meet someone nowadays who doesn’t at least know a few quotes from the movie. Not to mention, Heckerling also gave audiences a great take on Emma in a hilarious, modern way. 

Women Talking (2022, Sarah Polley)

Lastly, we have Women Talking. The movie, directed by Sarah Polley, is based on the 2018 novel of the same name, and it follows the story of a group of Mennonite women who discuss their future when they find out that the men of their colony have a history of sexually assaulting their women. 

The movie was not only nominated for Best Picture but won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sarah Polley, who wrote and directed it. The film talks about some serious topics, and it is considered one of the best movies of 2022. It's also pretty funny that Polley's daughter played a prank on her mother, saying that the Academy was asking for her Oscar back -- thankfully, Polley still has her win for this incredible film.

There are so many other notable films that you should watch that women directed, but these are just some that come to mind for me. If you haven’t seen any of them, check them out. 

While Wonder Woman fans are still sad about Wonder Woman 3 being scrapped, they got an unexpected mini-reunion as Chris Pine and director Patty Jenkins joined the picket line for the ongoing writers’ strike. However, the Wonder Woman duo reportedly didn’t come empty-handed as they reportedly provided snacks as a sign of support for striking TV and film writers.

The Pine-Jenkins sighting came courtesy of veteran TV writer and WGA strike captain Jonterri Gadson. She revealed on her Twitter account that Chris Pine and Patty Jenkins brought some empanadas for those marching on the picket line. Despite many Hollywood writers putting down their pens in protest, the A Black Lady Sketch Show writer couldn’t help but get a good pun to express her gratitude for the Hollywood A-listers’ presence. Check out her punny tweet below.

Gadson proved why she’s one of Hollywood’s most sought-after writers. This is what audiences might miss when the TV season starts this Fall. Seeing Chris Pine in the flesh seemed to throw her for a loop. Being the butt of the joke probably didn’t ruffle the Dungeons and Dragons star’s feathers as he’s down for a good laugh at his expense, including being the internet’s boyfriend.

While it was a nice twist on Pine’s name, she seemed to miss a great opportunity to use Jenkins in some way. However, it could’ve been hard to fit the Wonder Woman director’s name into the traditional Mexican food. The TV writer even called herself out by mentioning how starstruck she was to see Patty Jenkins as well.

As seen in Gadson’s protest photo, Chris Pine and Patty Jenkins weren’t just there to provide picketers food. Both A-listers were dressed casually in jeans, T-shirts, and comfortable shoes to join the growing number of protesters on the picket line. They even had their picket signs ready to go.

On the other hand, it was nice to see some members of the Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild of America show their solidarity in TV and film writers’ efforts for better conditions and benefits. Multiple TV and film stars have come out to support the organization by picketing with the writers and bringing them food.

Neither Pine’s nor Jenkins’ support should be surprising as the former wrote his upcoming directorial debut Poolman, for which the latter serves as a producer. The film is one of many productions currently on hold as negotiations between Hollywood honchos and writers stay at a standstill. So, the two Hollywood heavyweights are behind the writers all the way.

It is unclear when Chris Pine’s first feature-length film will resume shooting. In the meantime, you can revisit Pine’s Steve Trevor in Patty Jenkin’s two Wonder Woman films by getting an HBO Max subscription. After watching both films, check their other collaboration, I Am the Night, through an active Hulu subscription.

At present, the future of Star Wars movies is unclear. The last blockbuster from the sci-fi franchise, J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, was released in December 2019, and while the canon has continued to expand thanks to other mediums (most notably with multiple shows on Disney+), we have not learned firm details about projects destined for the big screen. As it turns out, the reason for this may be the fact that two of the features that have been in the development pipeline for a while now are apparently no longer moving forward.

According to a story from The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm is presently not actively developing Rogue Squadron, the project that was set to be made by Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. Additionally, it looks like the studio is also not moving forward with the Star Wars movie set to be produced by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. The report doesn't include firm details about what's happening with Rian Johnson's planned trilogy (which has been in the works for a few years now), but adds that the filmmaker's plate is rather full at the moment thanks to the Benoit Blanc movies and Poker Face on Peacock.

This is obviously a big shake-up, but sources also tell the trade that one project that seems to be safe for now is the movie that is in the works from writer/director Taika Waititi. Little is known about what the film is, but the report does mention that the filmmaker "would most likely have a part in it as well" as an actor.

Another feature that is still turning gears in development is a Star Wars film made by Oscar-winning documentarian Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. She has some Disney experience under her belt already, having directed two episodes of the Marvel Studios Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, but she is now said to be contributing to the beloved franchise set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. She is said to be collaborating with screenwriters Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson.

Fans will remember that Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron movie was first announced back in December 2020 during the virtual Disney Investor call event, but it has hit some turbulence since then. While the movie was given a December 2023 release date, the project was put on indefinite hold in November 2021 and it was taken off the calendar. There were signs of life for the blockbuster in an update from Jenkins last December, but now it may be dead.

We first learned about Kevin Feige's mystery Star Wars project back in September 2019, but it too has dealt with rockiness in the development process. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness screenwriter Michael Waldron was brought aboard to write a script, but in May of last year, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said that there wasn't anything "specifically" planned. According to the new trade report, Feige's focus is staying on the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the foreseeable future – including collaborating with Waldron on the script for Avengers: Secret Wars.

For now, Star Wars devotees can enjoy the franchise's original programming on Disney+ – including The Mandalorian, which just began its third season last week. As for what the future will hold, one can make a safe bet that there are going to be a lot of eyes on this year's Star Wars Celebration, which is scheduled to take place in London on April 7-10.

Last week, the shocking news came in that Wonder Woman 3 is no longer moving forward, as it “is considered dead in its current incarnation.” Shortly thereafter, it was reported that Patty Jenkins, the director behind the first two Wonder Woman movies and co-writer on Wonder Woman 1984, had walked away from the threequel due to creative differences. Now the filmmaker has not only responded to this claim, she’s also clarified her involvement with the Star Wars movie Rogue Squadron. 

Starting with Wonder Woman 3, it had been said that Patty Jenkins tuned in her  treatment to Warner Bros. Pictures, but studio heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy were not impressed with the pitch and gave her notes. Jenkins allegedly refused to implement them and then left the project. In her statement on Twitter, the filmmaker laid out that she didn’t leave Wonder Woman 3, but rather was led to believe that there wasn’t anything to be done with moving it forward. In her words:

Patty Jenkins continued by saying that she did not want her “beautiful journey” with Wonder Woman to end on a “negative note,” and went on to express gratitude for getting to work with people like Gal Gadot and Lynda Carter. She also thanked the fans for their “love and support” and called them the “best and most loving people.” Jenkins capped off her message by saying that we should “keep up the Wonder Woman spirit” and hopes that the character’s “beacon of love, truth and justice” is always there to lead the way for us as Diana of Themyscira has for her.

Shortly after Patty Jenkins’ tweet went up, James Gunn, who is now co-running DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, responded to share his positive opinion about the Wonder Woman filmmaker. See for yourself:

As for Rogue Squadron, prior to going over Wonder Woman 3, Patty Jenkins explained that while there was a period where she left the Star Wars movie, she’s now back to working on it, although it’s not guaranteed just yet it will see the light of day. As she put it:

Rogue Squadron was officially announced in December 2020, and at the time, the plan was to release it in December 2023. However, by November 2021, Rogue Squadron’s production was halted, and that was followed by the Star Wars movie being taken off the theatrical calendar nearly a year later. However, with her time on Wonder Woman 3 over and having eventually returned to Rogue Squadron, maybe this will be just the push to finally get it off the ground, just like one of the X-wings that will be featured in the story.

Rogue Squadron is one of many upcoming Star Wars movies in development, with others including the one Taika Waititi will direct and is co-writing with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, as well the feature Damon Lindelof is writing that Ms. Marvel’s Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will direct. While Wonder Woman 3, or at least Patty Jenkins’ version of it, isn’t happening anymore. there are other upcoming DC movies to keep track of, though obviously we’ll let you know if any of them are also shelved.

The DC Extended Universe has had plenty of peaks and valleys over the years, thanks to drama behind the scenes. The studio is currently in flux, as new co-CEO’s James Gunn and Peter Safran are carving out the future of the shared universe— which apparently won’t include Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3. With so much up in the air, it sounds like there’s a ton of uncertainty– even for powerful actors and filmmakers in the DC world. While The Rock and Henry Cavill are reportedly playing nice amid the rumors, an insider shared that it’s creating a “riot” behind closed doors.

The internet was set ablaze this week, when it was revealed that Warner Bros. was reportedly scraping Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman threequel. That same report also indicated that the studio was distancing itself from Zack Snyder’s cast of characters, seemingly putting the future of Aquaman and the newly returned Superman up in the air. An anonymous insider from DC recently spoke to Deadline about the temperature of the shared universe. As they put it,

Some points were made. Although this person didn’t reveal their identity, it makes sense that tensions might be rising for those involved in the DCEU. While the movie going public is used to being in the dark, it’s another thing for the actual artists to be so confused about what’s coming next. We’ll just have to see if any other previously announced projects are going to be scrapped by Warner Bros. thanks to the new DC leadership.

These comments to Deadline ring especially true when it comes to the future of both Dwayne Johnson and Henry Cavill in the DCEU. After ten years Black Adam finally hit theaters, and its mid-credits scene revealed that Cavill was finally returning to Superman. But the report about Wonder Woman 3’s cancellation came with the news that other projects like Man of Steel 2 are far from a sure thing. We’ll just have to see if James Gunn and company are truly attempting to move on from the characters and stories that Zack Snyder put into motion with his first DC flicks.

All eyes are on the behind the scenes shake ups currently happening at Warner Bros., and if any other movies will join Wonder Woman 3 in being scrapped. A follow-up report indicated that the studio was specifically having issues with Patty Jenkins herself, so perhaps that means the future of franchises like Aquaman and Man of Steel are still hopeful. The same anonymous source is quoted again speaking about the state of the DCEU, responding to rumors about superheroes possibly being recast with new actors. As they said:

It certainly sounds like things are chaotic in the DCEU, as the new leadership maps out the future of the shared universe. Following the disappointing performance of Justice League, the franchise largely halted serialized storytelling and major crossover events. But it sounds like James Gunn and Peter Safran want more connectivity between projects, so we’ll just have to wait and see how this all shakes up. Hopefully your favorite DC franchises/actors survive this change.

The next installment in the DCEU is Shazam! Fury of the Gods on March 17t. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater in the New Year. Only time will tell if we’ll ever see certain members of the Justice League back on the big screen again. 

As if Batgirl being scrapped wasn’t already a big enough DC shakeup for 2022, yesterday brought word that Wonder Woman 3 has reportedly been cancelled. It was among numerous items concerning where we stand with the future of DC media projects that DC Studios’ James Gunn later responded to on social media. However, as far as Wonder Woman 3 is concerned, apparently its collapse involved behind-the-scenes issues with Patty Jenkins, the filmmaker behind the first two Wonder Woman movies.

After solely directing 2017’s Wonder Woman, Patty Jenkins both picked up the helming reins again for 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984 and co-wrote the script with Geoff Johns and David Callaham. Jenkins had once again intended to put pen to paper for Wonder Woman 3, and reportedly turned in a treatment to Warner Bros. Pictures. However, both Deadline and The Wrap report that studio heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy were not impressed with the threequel treatment, with the former publication specifically saying that the pitch “had character arc problems which rivaled that of Wonder Woman 1984.”

Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy allegedly gave Patty Jenkins notes for her Wonder Woman 3 pitch, but Jenkins refused to implement them, arguing that there wasn’t anything about her creative vision that needed to be improved. Although Jenkins was given the opportunity to pitch a different treatment for the next Wonder Woman movie, she decided to leave the project, not even wanting to hear what DC Studios co-chairmen/CEOS James Gunn and Peter Safran had to say on the matter, even though they had nothing to do with the decision to send back the treatment.

As for where things currently stand, Gal Gadot is still attached as Wonder Woman, whom she’s been playing since 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. There’s the possibility that Gadot will stick with the role (as she might have indicated in a social media post from a few days ago), and that Wonder Woman 3 could be reborn in a new form with a different filmmaker spearheading it. On the other hand, considering how closely she and Patty Jenkins worked together, there’s also a scenario where Gadot walks away from Wonder Woman. Either way, right now, the character’s film future is up in the air, although allegedly Gadot is cameoing in The Flash next year.

While the first Wonder Woman movie was a critical and commercial success, pulling in over $822 million worldwide and ranking at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Wonder Woman 1984 didn’t impress on either fronts. Granted, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 1984 being delayed multiple times, and when it did open in theaters, it was released simultaneously to HBO Max subscribers. So box office-wise, it only made over $169 million worldwide, and it was met with mixed critical reception, earning a 58% Tomatometer. Gadot’s Wonder Woman also appeared in both cuts of Justice League.

Should a different version of Wonder Woman 3 get off the ground, or we officially learn where Gal Gadot’s Diana of Themysicra will pop up next, CinemaBlend will pass along that news. Until then, take a look at the upcoming DC movies coming our way.

The DC Extended Universe is known for its wild twists, both in front and behind the camera. With James Gunn and Peter Safran recently given new gigs as co-CEOs, there’s some major changes happening within the studio. A new report indicates that Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3 was scrapped altogether. And Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman post from two days ago takes on new meaning after the threequel was reportedly dropped by DC.

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman was universally acclaimed when she debuted in Batman v Superman, and the first solo movie was a critical hit and box office success. Patty Jenkins’ sequel 1984 wasn’t quite as successful, but a third movie still felt like an inevitability for fans. That’s why the THR report that the movie is a bust was such a shock. What’s more, the public is re-examining a post that Gadot made on Instagram just one day before that news broke. Check it out below,

While this post originally excited fans as it teased that Wonder Woman 3 was moving forward, that isn’t the case. Instead this might have been Gal Gadot’s goodbye of sorts to the role, knowing that Patty Jenkins’ third DC movie wasn’t going to happen. Or perhaps she’s making her interest in playing Diana Prince known, in hopes that her tenure as the Amazon hero isn’t quite over yet. It all remains to be seen.

Gal Gadot’s Instagram post first seemed like a celebration of her years playing Wonder Woman in the DCEU, but it might just end up being a farewell to her signature character. The report about the third movie being dropped indicated that the salaries of both Patty Jenkins and Gadot herself were part of the decision, as the studio aims to cut costs. More specifically, she was reportedly going to receive a payday of $20 million for the now-cancelled project.

Of course, the report about Wonder Woman 3’s fate also came with a few more shocking claims about the DC Extended Universe. Namely that Gunn and Safran are aiming to move on from the characters and actors established by Zack Snyder. The rumors indicate that Aquaman 2 might be Jason Momoa’s final performance as that character, and that Henry Cavill’s future as Superman is still very much unclear. I don’t know about you, but my head is spinning.

The news about Wonder Woman 3 being scrapped comes on the heels of other wild DC updates coming from Warner Bros. and company. It all started when Batgirl was dropped, despite the movie being nearly completed. Blue Beetle recently went from a streaming release to a full theatrical experience. So clearly things are very much up in the air as the DC universe finds new direction. 

The next DC movie expected to hit theaters will be Shazam! Fury of the Gods on March 17th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theaters in the New Year. We’ll just have to wait and see if Gal Gadot ever returns as Wonder Woman. 

Star Wars fans certainly haven’t been lacking for on-screen content in recent years thanks to what’s viewable with a Disney+ subscription. From The Mandalorian to Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Star Wars franchise has been thriving in the live-action TV realm, and animation fans have also continued to be covered with offerings like The Bad Batch and Visions. Conversely, we’re now coming up on three full years since the last Star Wars movie, The Rise of Skywalker, opened in theaters, and apparently the wait for Rogue Squadron and other movies set in a galaxy far, far away will be even longer.

Officially speaking, Rogue Squadron, which is being directed by Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins, is still slated for a December 2023 release. However, in his What I’m Hearing newsletter for Puck, former THR editor Matthew Belloni shared that no Star Wars movies are expected to come out until 2024 at the earliest. If this is true, then while Disney hasn’t said anything to the public yet, evidently Rogue Squadron won’t be hitting its target date after all.

According to Matthew Belloni, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy “isn’t ready to pull the trigger on any of the Star Wars films in development,” including the rumored project being shepherded by Lost and Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof. As such, while there may be some exciting Star Wars news announced at D23 this weekend, it appears as there won’t be any movie-related news dropped. This means that given how long it takes to develop these massive movies, it’ll be at least a six-year period between The Rise of Skywalker and whatever Star Wars cinematic tale is released next, if not longer. 

Back in November 2021, it was reported that Rogue Squadron’s production had been delayed due to Patty Jenkins’ other professional obligations. The following March though, someone on Twitter shared that they’d learned that Michael A. Stackpole, who wrote the X-Wing novels set post-Return of the Jedi in the Legends continuity, had met with Jenkins, indicating that Rogue Squadron is still on the way, it’s just taking longer to put together than initially expected. At this point, it seems like only a matter of time until Disney announces that Rogue Squadron has been delayed either to a new release date or indefinitely.

Additionally, Taika Waititi is set to direct a Star Wars movie that he’s co-writing with Krysty Wilson-Cairns; Waititi previously directed The Mandalorian Season 1 finale and voiced IG-11 that same season. While we’ve also heard about projects like a Rian Johnson-helmed trilogy and a movie being worked on by director J.D. Dillard and writer Matt Owens, given the lack of updates on them, one could surmise they’ve either been shelved or are in a state of deep carbon freeze. So while the stream of Star Wars stories made for Disney+ is still flowing strongly, those of you looking forward to another theatrical experience in this sci-fi world will have to continue being patient for the next few years.

Meanwhile, the next live-action Star Wars series on the docket is Andor, which premieres September 21 on Disney+. It’s also been announced that Eman Esfandi has been tapped to play Ezra Bridger in Ahsoka, which drops sometime in 2023.

Here is a little tidbit of information that is going to come as a surprise to just about no one, but some of the best action movies of all time have been directed by trailblazing female filmmakers who have proven that the genre isn’t reserved solely for their male counterparts. Over the years, Academy Award winners like Kathryn Bigelow have come in and released a few of the most transformative action flicks, like Point Break, that we’re still talking about 30-plus years later. But, she’s not alone…

In the past, we’ve talked about all the great horror movies from female directors, as well as pointed out some of the best superhero movies told from the female perspective, and so now feels like a great time to point out a dozen badass action movies by female directors and what makes each so great.

Point Break (Kathryn Bigelow)

Although Kathryn Bigelow’s 1991 action thriller, Point Break, starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze wasn’t the biggest hit with audiences or critics upon its release (it opened just one week after her then-husband James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day came out), it has since earned a reputation as being one of the best action movies of the early 1990s, and perhaps of all time. 

The film centers around Reeves’ FBI Agent Johnny Utah, as he goes undercover to bring down Bodhi (Swayze), the leader of a group of surfers who fund their lifestyles by committing over-the-top bank heists while dressed up like former U.S. presidents. With thrilling heist scenes, daring skydiving sequences, and one of the all-time great movie villains, there’s a lot to love with this cult classic.

Wonder Woman (Patty Jenkins)

A few years after leaving the production of Thor: The Dark World, Patty Jenkins took her talents to the DCEU with the 2017 smash hit, Wonder Woman, a movie that not only made the Monster director one of the most sought after names in Hollywood, but helped take the growing cinematic universe to the next level.

Wonder Woman is nothing short of a comic book movie masterpiece, with exquisite action set pieces (especially the epic “No Man’s Land” sequence), a rich and detailed story, and an outstanding performance by Gal Gadot, who first took on the role of Diana Prince one year earlier in Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The Old Guard (Gina Prince-Bythewood)

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood and her 2020 Netflix original, The Old Guard, made great strides in Hollywood, specifically when it came to the representation of the LGBTQ+ community in an action movie. This, combined with Prince-Bythewood’s unique take on the genre and the source material, created a hellacious and thrilling action spectacle that did a lot while never feeling overstuffed or unnecessary.

In case you aren’t familiar, The Old Guard centers on a group of centuries-old warriors who all have amazing regenerative healing abilities that allow them to essentially come back from the dead over and over again. After fighting together for nearly a millennium, the group finds themselves the target of a mysterious party, while at the same time taking in a new member to the family.

The Matrix (The Wachowskis)

The landscape of action movies was forever changed in 1999 when The Wachowskis released the groundbreaking and mind-bending box office smash hit, The Matrix. With the movie, and the directors’, blend of heavy philosophical questions about truth, freedom, and identity, it’s easy to see why it’s still held in such high regard more than 20 years after its release.

On the surface, The Matrix is about one man — Neo (Keanu Reeves) — saving humanity from being enslaved by machines and used as a power source, but the more you peel back at that onion’s layers you find all kinds of statements and questions that turn it into anything but a straight-forward, run-of-the-mill action flick.

Birds of Prey (Cathy Yan)

It is easy to feel bad for Cathy Yan’s female-centric comic book movie, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), considering the global theater market came crashing down just a few weeks following its February 2020 release, but don’t let this take anything away from the criminally outrageous and fun action movie it is. Plain and simple, this movie rocks!

In the aftermath of Harley Quinn’s (Margot Robbie) breakup with the Joker, the Suicide Squad member finds herself with a big old target on her head, as just about every big bad (and just about anyone she hurt over the years) comes looking for revenge, including Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). But, don’t count her out, as Harley has some friends of her own; some very badass friends with equally great backstories.

Tank Girl (Rachel Talalay)

If you are a fan of the Mad Max movies, the punk rock mentality, and a heavy dose of feminist themes, then Rachel Talalay’s 1995 sci-fi cult classic, Tank Girl, is worth checking out. This movie is absolutely and undeniably bonkers, but this is a good thing, a very good thing. Set in 2033 where most of the planet’s fresh water is controlled by an evil corporation, Rebecca Buck, a.k.a. Tank Girl (Lori Petty), rises to the occasion to save her friends and humanity in whole fell swoop.

There’s just so much to love here, including Petty’s take on the underdog comic book character, the insane action sequences, outstanding soundtrack, and those human-kangaroo hybrids (your eyes aren’t deceiving you). But overall, it’s a fun, silly movie that isn’t afraid to tackle some big topics.

Punisher: War Zone (Lexi Alexander)

Not to be confused with the Thomas Jane-led The Punisher that came out a few years earlier, Lexi Alexander’s 2008 bonkers and very R-rated comic book movie, Punisher: War Zone, is an absurdly fun and ridiculous movie. Is a great movie? No, not really. Is it a blast? You bet!

The movie centers on Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson) as he tries to fight off the legions of criminals, goons, and psychopaths hired by Jigsaw (Dominic West) to take down the Punisher after he left the crime boss hideously disfigured. But, don’t worry about the story, because the action sells the movie, especially the parkour scene where the Punisher makes a guy explode mid-flip.

Blue Steel (Kathryn Bigelow)

A little more than a year before Kathryn Bigelow released Point Break, the future Oscar winner came out with an equally as impressive crime action thriller called Blue Steel, which happens to be one of the best Jamie Lee Curtis movies. The drama in this one picks up after rookie cop Megan Turner (Curtis) puts an end to one criminal, but inadvertently kicks off another reign of terror when a psychopath (Ron Silver) picks up the dead man’s gun.

Though more toned down (in scope, not in violence) than the movie that would come out a year later, Blue Steel isn’t for the faint of heart. The great cat-and-mouse game between cop and criminal is brilliant throughout the movie and adds a great deal of tension.

Speed Racer (The Wachowskis)

Despite being a box office bomb and not being well received by critics, The Wachowskis’ 2008 adaptation of the classic Japanese manga and anime series, Speed Racer, is a dazzling display of cinematic greatness. Sure, an appreciation (or obsession) with the intellectual property helps in this regard, but it’s never too late to give it a second chance.

The movie looks and feels just like the old animated series and features multiple aspects, including those outrageously treacherous races with danger around every corner, the identity of Racer X (Matthew Fox), and so much corporate greed, that make you think you’re watching an HBO drama.

The Peacemaker (Mimi Leder)

Mimi Leder’s 1997 political action thriller, The Peacemaker (no, not the 2022 HBO Max show starring John Cena), is one of those movies that isn’t necessarily the best the genre has to offer, but is fun and engaging enough that you’ll be glad you watched it. When a train containing nuclear weapons vanishes after a wreck in Russia, nuclear specialist Dr. Julia Kelly (Nicole Kidman) and U.S. Army Ranger Thomas Devoe (George Clooney) attempt to find the missing weapons, which is easier said than done.

The pairing of Kidman and Clooney works really well throughout The Peacemaker and adds another level of drama and contention as the two characters, who are polar opposites, learn to work together. Bickering, banter, and plenty of explosions are found throughout.

Eternals (Chloé Zhao) 

Chloé Zhao became the second female filmmaker (the first being Kathryn Bigelow) to take home an Academy Award for Best Director with her 2020 sensation, Nomadland, and immediately followed it up with one of the most ambitious entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet. That movie, Eternals, introduced audiences to some of the MCU’s most interesting and powerful heroes thus far.

Although not everyone’s favorite Marvel movie, there’s a case for Eternals being the most beautiful entry in the saga over the years, and that’s mostly because of Zhao’s eye for great shots and insistence on shooting on location whenever possible. When Zhao said she was from the "Terrence Malick school of filmmaking," she really meant it with this one.

Aeon Flux (Karyn Kusama)

A little more than a decade-and-a-half before she directed the pilot episode of the popular drama series, Yellowjackets, Karyn Kusama helmed the 2005 live-action adaptation of the MTV animated series, Aeon Flux, with Charlize Theron taking on the role of the titular heroine. Set 400 years after a deadly pathogen wiped out most of life on Earth, the movie features some flashy action and multiple plot twists before Aeon Flux can fulfill her mission.

Aeon Flux didn’t fare all too well at the box office, with critics, or fans of the original series, but Theron’s take on the iconic ‘90s character is fun enough to make it a fun cinematic experience.

Hopefully this all sheds light on some of the more forgotten movies on this list as well as the female directors who brought the stories to the big screen. And, with so many female filmmakers at the helm of some of the upcoming 2022 movies, expect this list to get longer in time.

If you’re into movies like I am, then you’ve undoubtedly seen a ton of excellent films by great directors like Quentin Tarantino, Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, etc. Not only do I love to watch films from all over the world, I also love to watch a director’s entire oeuvre, which is how I’ve seen all 6 George Lucas movies, and every Peter Jackson movie. Here’s what I’ve learned by watching the entire filmography of so many directors: Some of them make a truly great movie on their very first try. 

Now, that’s not to say that they didn’t experiment with smaller projects before their first feature length film, as even Paul Thomas Anderson cut his teeth on the short film Cigarettes and Coffee before he directed Hard Eight. But, when it comes to a first feature length film, some directors just somehow nail it, which often guides the trajectory of their entire careers. So, here are 16 such directors who undoubtedly got it right on their very first feature length film.  

Quentin Tarantino - Reservoir Dogs (1992) 

Here’s what’s interesting about Reservoir Dogs. If Tarantino’s first movie was Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs was actually his last movie, it might feel smaller in scale, sure, but I also think it would still feel like a fitting swansong to an incredible career. That’s how amazing Reservoir Dogs is. It’s so good, I could see him making it today. 

But, it was his first film, and it totally made him explode onto the scene back in the early ‘90s. He would, of course, go on to make Pulp Fiction (his best movie), Inglorious Basterds, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and many others, but Tarantino’s mark was already made with Reservoir Dogs, and it’s still legendary today.     

Robert Rodriguez - El Mariachi (1992) 

The first (and I would argue best) in Rodriguez’s Mexico Trilogy, which also contains Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, is said to have only cost $7,000 U.S. dollars to make. It’s about a guitar player who manages to get targeted because of mistaken identity, and he has to take up arms if he wants to live. 

Robert Rodriguez has had an interesting career, jumping back and forth between mature, R-rated films like Sin City and Machete, and kid-friendly stuff like Spy Kids and the hit We Can Be Heroes. That said, it was El Mariachi and its unassuming badassness that got him onto the scene, and it’s still awesome to this day. He’s still awesome to this day, no question.  

Kevin Smith - Clerks (1994) 

There's a reason why Kevin Smith keeps coming back to Clerks, what with the upcoming Clerks 3, and that's because his first movie might just be his very best film ever. The story of a clerk named Dante who shouldn't even be at work today, seems like it has nothing to say and yet everything to say at the same time. Plus, it's all in glorious black and white. 

Kevin Smith's known for movies like Mallrats, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Red State, and those movies are great and all, but I think most would agree that Smith found his voice with his very first film, and he's mostly kept that voice for the entirety of his career. I'm not complaining.   

Patty Jenkins - Monster (2003) 

Nowadays, Patty Jenkins is most known for bringing Wonder Woman to the big screen, and her future resides in Star Wars with her upcoming movie, Rogue Squadron. But, arguably more interesting is Patty Jenkins' first movie, Monster, which is about the real life serial killer, Aileen Wuornos, played by Charlize Theron, who won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance.  

How good was this movie? Well, Roger Ebert called Monster the best film of 2002, and he proclaimed that Charlize Theron's performance was one of the greatest that he’d ever seen. Not bad for a director's debut picture.  

Jordan Peele - Get Out (2017) 

Before Get Out, Jordan Peele was probably most known as the other half of Key & Peele. But, after Get Out, I’m pretty sure everybody knew who he was as a single entity, as the talented director/writer/actor exploded onto the scene with the movie that many consider the true Best Picture of 2017.  

Now, every new movie he makes is an event. Us was a creepy doppelganger film, and his next project, Nope, is shrouded in mystery, but still highly anticipated. All that white hot anticipation is all due to Get Out, which single-handedly turned this comedian into one of the most important voices in horror today.    

Steven Spielberg - Duel (1971) 

Steven Spielberg was only 24 when he directed his first feature length film, Duel, and the rest is history. Duel has a simple premise - a guy (Dennis Weaver) is terrorized by an unseen truck driver for 80 minutes, and that’s it.  

But, Spielberg, who has made some of the best movies of all time, just nailed it with Duel. The whole film is taut and unsettling, and it’s little wonder why many people pegged Spielberg as a wunderkind all the way back in the early ‘70s. He certainly was!   

Orson Welles - Citizen Kane (1941) 

The year is 2022, and some people are still saying that Orson Welles got robbed when Citizen Kane lost Best Picture to How Green Was My Valley back at the 1942 Oscars. This actually makes sense, because some critics call Citizen Kane the greatest movie of all time. Not bad for a young man's very first feature film. 

In fact, even though Welles directed other great films like The Magnificent Ambersons, and Touch of Evil, he will forever be known as the man who directed quite possibly the greatest film of all time. On his very first try, no less. Unbelievable.  

Sidney Lumet - 12 Angry Men (1957) 

Even though Sidney Lumet directed a little over 40 films, and serious classics including Network, Dog Day Afternoon, and The Verdict, it might be his first movie, the Academy Award-nominated 12 Angry Men, that might be his most accessible and enjoyable work in his filmography. 

Adapted from a teleplay of the same name, 12 Angry Men is spectacular for many reasons, one being the acting, but two being the pacing, which never lets up. In fact, quick pacing and stellar acting is emblematic of a lot of Lumet's movies, and he had it down pat with his very first film. Lumet was a legend.  

Sophia Coppola - The Virgin Suicides (1999) 

Based on the novel of the same name, The Virgin Suicides is about five sisters (one played by Kirsten Dunst) who are closely monitored after the youngest sister attempts suicide. It’s a drama, to be certain, but there is also an undercurrent of dark humor that kind of creates an almost unsettling quality to an already pretty dark story. 

This “unsettling quality” would show up in Coppola’s later films, like Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, and especially, The Beguiled. Still, if I were to jumble up all of those movies and throw The Virgin Suicides into the mix, then most people likely wouldn’t be able to tell which is her debut picture, since they’re all the marks of a professional.  

Ridley Scott - The Duelists (1977) 

Ridley Scott is probably most known for movies like Alien, Blade Runner, and the Best Picture-winning Gladiator, but his debut, The Duelists, starring Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine as warring soldiers who duel each other for decades, was already the mark of master director. 

It’s so good that one of his most recent films, The Last Duel, kind of feels similar in tone and direction. The budget is much higher for The Last Duel, but the acting, pacing, and direction in The Duelists is just as good as it is in the recent film, which is astounding to say the very least.  

Alejandro González Iñárritu - Amores Perros (2000)

The first part of the “Trilogy of Death” (with 21 Grams and Babel), Amores Perros, which roughly translates to "love’s a bitch," slammed into audiences like a car crash with this interesting narrative that connects three separate people to an automobile accident. 

Alejandro González Iñárritu would later go on to direct one of my favorite movies ever in Birdman, but a lot of the electric filmmaking that made that movie so great, was even evident in Amores Perros, which shocks and breaks your heart, sometimes in the very same scene. 

Sam Raimi - The Evil Dead (1981) 

Sam Raimi's come a long way since his debut picture, The Evil Dead. He's helming Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and he came to commercial recognition with his Spider-Man trilogy.   

But, to many, he'll always be "The Evil Dead guy," and for good reason. The first Evil Dead is a seminal entry in ‘80s horror that innovated a lot of unique techniques, such as the camera chasing the characters. Sure, his later Evil Dead movies might be more popular, but that first movie announced a fresh new director, and he'd be here to stay.   

Spike Jonze - Being John Malkovich (1999) 

If you love meta movies, then you’re undoubtedly familiar with the work of Spike Jonze. His second film, Adaptation., was perhaps even more meta than his first, and he managed to make the children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are, into a semi-meditative movie featuring James Gandolfini.   

Being John Malkovich garnered him a Best Director Oscar nomination. The film has such a unique strangeness to it that you might attribute it to Charlie Kaufman’s cerebral writing, but, you can see that Spike Jonze’s brain is definitely on a similar wavelength with his other films not written by Kaufman. Being John Malkovich is one of the reasons why some people call 1999 one of the best years in cinema, and this was Spike Jonze’s debut picture. Outstanding!    

Ryan Coogler - Fruitvale Station (2013)  

Before Black Panther, before Creed, there was Fruitvale Station, a film so infuriating that it had this writer seething in his seat when he first saw it. Chronicling the events that led up to the real life death of Oscar Grant, Fruitvale Station seems like the work of an artist who had spent years in the director’s seat, not a directorial debut.  

Coogler's next picture is the hotly anticipated sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but you could see the talent in his first picture, which he made at the tender age of 25. Damn.  

Ari Aster - Hereditary (2018) 

I think it says a lot that Ari Aster only has two feature films to his name, but he's already established himself as one of the leading voices in modern day horror. This was all due to Hereditary, which is still the scariest movie I've ever seen. 

He would later go on to make Midsommar, and one could argue that Midsommar is the better Ari Aster film. Whichever you prefer, I don't think anybody will argue the greatness of Hereditary. Making one of the scariest movies of all time as your very first feature film is no laughing matter. In fact, it’s quite terrifying to be this good.    

Rob Reiner - This Is Spinal Tap (1984) 

Rob Reiner has proven that he can be successful in any genre. He mastered fantasy with The Princess Bride, tackled horror with Misery, and dabbled in romantic comedies with When Harry Met Sally.

But, my favorite, and a lot of people's favorite movie of his, is his debut, the infinitely quotable mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap. The film is probably the funniest rock movie ever made, and it's done in such a way that Spinal Tap seems like a legit band. It's actually kind of sad that they aren't a real band, though, because some of their songs really kick ass.   

What other prominent directors do you think made a great movie on their first try? For news on today's great directors, make sure to swing by here often!   

In the world of post-Rise of Skywalker cinematic entries, the Star Wars franchise is in a bit of a holding pattern. Director Patty Jenkins’ Star Wars: Rogue Squadron film is one of the clearest examples of such a development, as production has been delayed indefinitely since last fall. At the same time, there’s been no official announcement of cancellation, with the December 2023 release date earmarked for the film still remaining on Disney’s release calendar. So is Rogue Squadron still happening? Let’s take a look at the latest mention of this hotly anticipated title, and discuss.

Twitter user “Jedi4Liberty,” a co-host of the fan run Scarif Podcast, recently attended GalaxyCon and ran into someone who would know a thing or two about the Rogue Squadron saga. Meeting with prolific Star Wars author Michael A. Stackpole, the man who helped create the X-Wing novels that detailed a post-Return of the Jedi incarnation of hot shots flying under that same banner, two promising updates came to be revealed. Here’s the text of that message: 

If Michael A. Stackpole’s knowledge is anything to go by, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron definitely sounds like it’s alive and well. What’s more, the author from the Star Wars Legends era of literary canon also confirms that Patty Jenkins has consulted him when it comes to the contents of this story. While we know we won’t see a direct adaptation of the novels in that series, it’s very clear that Jenkins and writer Matthew Robinson have a reverence to the series that fans know and love from their past.

That could be the major sticking point to the alleged script disagreements that put the production of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron on hold in the first place, but we can't say that for sure. At the moment, it sounds like we’re still going to get to see this project take flight. The only questions that need to be answered are when will production begin, and will it be with Patty Jenkins at the helm? 

When last we heard, Jenkins’ participation is still in play. This is especially pertinent as  she was reported to have dropped out of directing Cleopatra with Gal Gadot, in order to focus on both Wonder Woman 3 and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. Seeing as the DC Comics/Warner Bros sequel "probably" won't start filming until 2023, Patty Jenkins' work in the galaxy far, far away would seem to take priority. 

Of course, there’s a tantalizing prospect that sits in-between cancellation and progress, as this potential new Star Wars franchise could see itself being retooled in more ways than one. With the success of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett bolstering Disney+’s streaming offerings, there may be a mindset afoot to turn Star Wars: Rogue Squadron into a series rather than a movie. 

While that’s pure speculation, it’s hard not to think that this could be a way to clear some room for other cinematic offerings that are in development, such as the recently rumored project headed up by Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof. Not to mention, Patty Jenkins could still develop and direct episodes for the series, while also freeing herself up to further shape Wonder Woman 3 at the same time.

Currently, all that’s known for sure is that Patty Jenkins’ Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is still maintaining its release date of December 22, 2023, as part of the upcoming Star Wars release schedule. Part of the strategy to provide alternating Star Wars/Avatar offerings for the holiday box office, the date doesn’t seem to be in question, but rather the film that will fit into it. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see, while keeping a close eye on the 2022 movie releases, in hopes that nothing else decides to shift Disney’s release date landscape. (We’re looking at you, Avatar 2.)

There are few movie franchises quite as popular as Star Wars. Entire generations were brought up on the galaxy far, far away, which has been expanding thanks to shows on Disney+. But the franchise’s future on the big screen is more unclear, as a number of projects are in the early stage of development. Both Patty Jenkins and Taika Waititi seemingly have Star Wars movies in the works, but now rumors are swirling about another.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ended the nine-film Skywalker Saga, leading Lucasfilm into a break from movie production. While there are a few projects expected to come down the line, there’s been some reports that a third movie might be in the early stage of development. Specifically the rumor claims that Watchmen and Lost’s Damon Lindelof would be the one working on this new Star Wars project. And my mind is blown.

This story about Damon Lindelof and Star Wars comes to us from Twitter of journalist Jeff Sneider who reportedly has sources close to Lucasfilm. So far the claim has been unconfirmed by the studio or anyone from Lindelof’s team. Still, his pedigree on projects like The Leftovers have proven that the celebrated screenwriter has a way of telling larger than life stories that still feel real and emotional. And that’s exactly what the Star Wars franchise needs at this time.

Following The Rise of Skywalker, a variety of Star Wars movie projects were announced to be in development. Unfortunately, there’s been some bumps in the road, and it’s unclear when the science fiction staple will return to theaters. Game of Thrones writers David Benioff and DB Weiss were attached to develop their own trilogy, but those plans were scrapped as they signed a development deal with Netflix. And that’s not the only setback that’s come to the galaxy far, far away.

As previously mentioned, Wonder Woman filmmaker Patty Jenkins was going to direct her own Star Wars flick, titled Rogue Squadron. But production was put on indefinite hold, seemingly as a result of creative differences. It’s currently nuclear if that project is still happening. Then there’s Taika Waititi’s movie, but that won’t happen until after he’s finished his work on Thor: Love and Thunder. Clearly things are up in the air, which is why news about Damon Lindelof’s possible movie is so dizzying.

Damon Lindelof was able to put his own spin on the comic book genre with HBO’s Watchmen, which also told an emotional story about racism and generational trauma. It’s fascinating to think about what he might do with the Star Wars IP, especially now that future movies don’t have to be connected to the main Skywalker Saga. Hopefully this rumor is confirmed or denied sometime soon, before fans like myself get our hopes up.

In the meantime, new Star Wars content is coming out in quick succession over on Disney+. The Mandalorian became a sensation when it was released, and The Book of Boba Fett quickly followed. Fans are eager to see Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which will help fill in the character’s mysterious years on Tatooine. Hopefully plans for a movie come together, especially the rumored project with Damon Lindelof. 

Obi-Wan Kenobi will premiere on Disney+ May 25th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Star Wars is one of the most popular franchises of all time, with entire generations brought up on the galaxy far, far away. While the property continues to expand thanks to shows on Disney+, the big screen future is a bit more ambiguous-- especially after Rogue Squadron was put on hold. But could Patty Jenkins’ Star Wars flick still happen? Here’s the latest.

Following the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm shifted its focus away from movie projects and onto shows for Disney+. Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron was expected to be the first movie installment since the Skywalker Saga ended, which is why fans were disappointed when the project was delayed over creative differences. But there may be some hope for the movie, as a recent report indicated that she’s still attached to the project.

This latest update comes to us from Deadline, where it was confirmed that Patty Jenkins dropped out of directing a Cleopatra movie for Gal Gadot. While this may be disappointing news, there’s a silver lining for Star Wars fans out there. Because according to the report, she departed so she could remain focused on both Wonder Woman 3 and Rogue Squadron. 

While the timeline on Rogue Squadron’s production is completely up in the air, Star Wars fans will likely be excited to learn that the project isn’t dead in the water. If Patty Jenkins is still invested in making the flick into a reality, then perhaps we could see the project coming together after all. We’ll have to keep our fingers and lightsabers crossed.

Considering how much Star Wars content has been released since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, news of Rogue Squadron still being a possibility is sure to excite the generations of fans out there. The Rise of Skywalker hit theaters back in 2019, so it’s already been two years since the space opera has occupied theaters. So if/when Jenkins’ movie actually arrives, smart money says the fandom will be eager to dive back into George Lucas’ beloved property.

Of course, Rogue Squadron isn’t the only possible Star Wars movie that’s in the works by Lucasfilm. Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi is also expected to bring his own flick to the galaxy far, far away. What that story will be about remains a mystery for the time being, but the Oscar winning filmmaker’s involvement has thrilled moviegoers.

Since the nine-film Skywalker Saga has been wrapped up with a bow, it should be fascinating to see which stories come from Star Wars in the future. Filmmakers like Patty Jenkins and Taika Waititi should be able to have some freedom story-wise, as it won’t have to be connected to the main narrative. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes to the big screen, and if any beloved characters are included in future installments.

For now, the Star Wars franchise continues to grow on the small screen with projects like The Book of Boba Fett. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins had seemingly become an inseparable team. The two had made a pair of Wonder Woman movies together and in addition to planning to make a third film in that franchise, the pair were also set to team for a new movie about the life of Cleopatra. But now Gal Gadot will have to get used to working with a new director. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's Kari Skogland is now set to take over directing duties on the film now that Patty Jenkins has decided not to direct the movie. 

Patty Jenkins isn't leaving the Cleopatra project entirely, as she will remain on in a producer role. Neither is she planning to leave Gal Gadot's side anytime soon. Deadline reports that the reason that Jenkins is stepping down as director here is so that she can focus on her next two directorial efforts, including the aforementioned Wonder Woman 3, and the Star Wars film Rogue Squadron. 

This will be the first feature film directed by Kari Skogland in several years, and by far the highest profile film of her career. Having said that, Skogland has put together an impressive resume directing numerous high profile television series including episodes of The Handmaid's Tale, The Walking Dead, and the six episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, so she's basically directed a Marvel movie. 

Since Patty Jenkins is still producing Cleopatra, Jenkins is ultimately the one picking her own replacement as director.  It's being reported that it was Skogland's work on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier specifically that sold the production on her to take over for Jenkins, as the scope of that series was what Cleopatra is aiming for. 

And while seeing Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins work together again on something that  wasn't Wonder Woman certainly was appealing, there's every reason for fans to actually be excited by the fact that Jenkins has decided to focus on her other projects. 

Whatever your feelings on Wonder Woman 1984, most would agree that it was a step down from the original, and so one certainly hopes that the third film will regain the glory of the first movie. It's also great news to hear that Jenkins will have more time to focus on Rogue Squadron. There had been fear recently that this movie was having significant problems, and it's fate had been in question. It seems rumors of its demise had been exaggerated, as Patty Jenkins is still working on the movie.

And certainly, there's little chance that a Cleopatra movie was going to take anything less than a director's full attention. When a Cleopatra film was made in the 1960s it became one of the most expensive film productions ever, and it's difficult to imagine a modern version being anything less than a massive tentpole production. 

As far as film franchises go, there are few quite as massively popular as Star Wars. The galaxy far, far away has been passed down across generations, but it’s currently in a unique place. While the universe continues to expand thanks to shows on Disney+, it’s taking a break from theaters. And now we know why Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron movie was allegedly put on indefinite hold.

Star Wars fans were thrilled to learn that Wonder Woman filmmaker would be dipping her toes into the franchise with a Rogue Squadron movie. Unfortunately there’s been a major speed bump, with production recently being indefinitely delayed. And now we may have more information regarding that decision, as Patty Jenkins and Lucasfilm have reportedly been having creative differences.

This latest update about Rogue Squadron ceoms to us from Puck, with journalist Matthew Belloni citing unnamed contacts close to production. According to the report, Patty Jenkins simply hasn’t been able to agree on a script for the upcoming blockbuster with Lucasfilm execs. While fans are hoping the project still comes to fruition, it’s unclear if/when that’ll actually happen given this setback.

Given how in-demand Patty Jenkins is, this situation with Star Wars could take years to be cleared up. If Jenkins instead pivots to other projects like Wonder Woman 3 she’ll be extremely busy, and will have to put Rogue Squadron on the back burner. One thing that’s clear is that it’ll be even longer than expected before Star Wars returns to theaters.

While reps from Disney, Patty Jenkins, and Kathleen Kennedy declined to comment on this latest update about Rogue Squadron, the production’s delay will likely continue to make headlines. The discourse online has already begun, with some fans citing the creative differences that ultimately led to Phil Lord and Chris Miller to depart in the midst of filming Solo: A Star Wars Story. Because while moviegoers are treated to shiny finished products with Star Wars, there are still internal dramas that occur along the way.

It remains to be seen when Star Wars will return in movie form, but Patty Jenkins isn’t the only superhero director attached to join the beloved space opera. Oscar winning Thor filmmaker Taika Waititi will also put his spin on the galaxy far, far away. Although the story he’s tackling remains am mystery for the time being.

As previously mentioned, a number of new Star Wars are coming over on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian. Fans are eager to see shows about fan favorite characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and Boba Fett. Let’s just hope the film side of Lucasfilm shapes up as well. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Nearly one full year ago at Disney’s Investor Day presentation, it was announced that Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins was jumping into the Star Wars universe to direct Rogue Squadron, the space opera franchise’s next theatrical movie. As things stand now, Rogue Squadron is still technically slotted for a December 22, 2023 release. However, word’s just come in that production on the movie has been indefinitely delayed.

This update comes from THR, with the outlet sharing that despite Patty Jenkins and writer Matthew Robinson having developed Rogue Squadron for over a year with the goal of getting cameras rolling by 2022, Jenkins’ busy schedule has resulted in this not being a realistic option. Rogue Squadron was supposed to have begun preproduction by this year, but now the next Star Wars feature has been taken off the production schedule, with the new plan being for Jenkins to return to it once her other professional obligations are fulfilled.

As such, even though Rogue Squadron is still holding onto its late 2023 release date, it’s not unreasonable to assume it could be pushed back to 2024 or beyond. It also wasn’t clarified specifically what Patty Jenkins currently has on her plate that prevented her from focusing on Rogue Squadron. That said, we already knew that the filmmaker has two movies in the works with Gal Gadot: Wonder Woman 3 and Cleopatra. Regarding the former, THR’s sources noted that while originally Wonder Woman 3 was originally supposed to follow Rogue Squadron, now it’s possible it could arrive beforehand.

Rogue Squadron was supposed to be the first Star Wars movie following 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker, which concluded the Skywalker Saga. Star Wars fans certainly won’t be lacking for live-action stories anytime soon thanks to Disney+ shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi. That said, because Rogue Squadron’s shoot has been  postponed, it’s unclear if one of the other Star Wars movies in development could now serve as the first post-Skywalker Saga theatrical tale instead, such as the one Thor: Love and Thunder’s Taika Waititi is directing and co-writing with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, or maybe the one that Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige is producing from a script written by Loki’s Michael Waldron.

In any case, Star Wars fans can take comfort knowing that Rogue Squadron hasn’t been scrapped entirely, it’ll just be a longer wait to see it in its completed form. Naturally we’ll keep you updated on the project’s progress as more details come in. For now, be sure to look through our upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows guide to catch up on what the galaxy far, far away has in the works. You can also stream plenty of Star Wars content over on Disney+.

When Wonder Woman 1984 director Patty Jenkins criticized straight-to-streaming movies, she reignited a conversation about the merits (or lack thereof) of movies hitting Netflix instead of a multiplex. While some film industry veterans have been famously pro-cinema, one of Freaky's screenwriters has now spoken up in defense of that model. His personal story about how the film benefited from a streaming release seemed to be in response to Jenkins’ comments -- but it also provided another perspective on an increasingly complicated conversation surrounding movie distribution.

It’s been awhile since we debated whether movies made for or distributed by streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max are as good as those that hit the big screen. Before COVID-19, the argument for seeing a movie in a theater was compelling -- it’s what we’ve always done, it arguably creates a more memorable experience. But a lot has changed in the last year and a half. Some films that were scheduled for theatrical releases ended up on streaming platforms without ever seeing a theater projector. Though Christopher Landon’s horror comedy Freaky, starring Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton, did have a brief theatrical run, it was simultaneously available on VOD. The film eventually made its way to HBO Max -- and, according to its screenwriter, Michael Kennedy, that was actually a good thing:

While Kennedy didn’t directly reference Patty Jenkins, it seems likely that his tweet was in response to her recent comments that movies that are put out by streaming services look like “fake movies.” It’s a controversial opinion but not surprising given her well-documented frustration at Wonder Woman 1984 being released on HBO Max. She was vocal about her feelings that the streaming release, while necessary due to the pandemic, was detrimental to the movie’s success.

It’s interesting that Kennedy’s experience was so different, then. While he acknowledges that Freaky receiving a full theatrical release would have been ideal, he doesn’t seem to think there was a downside to its run on HBO Max. He sees the benefit in the movie providing a reprieve to viewers in a difficult time and makes a case for the potential longevity of a film’s popularity when it hits a streaming service.

While Patty Jenkins’ frustration is understandable, it’s also fair to argue that films produced and distributed online are increasingly being seen as legitimate works of art. With every passing year, Netflix sees an increase in the number of accolades its films receive.

Even in the post-COVID era, streaming platforms will keep making movies and attracting big stars with lucrative offers. Even when the line between which movies are and are not streaming releases becomes clearer again, it may become increasingly difficult to argue that a movie is less real because it doesn’t play in a movie theater. If nothing else, it’s good to hear from a screenwriter who seems to have embraced the positive side of this strange period in movie history.

In November 2020, a month before Wonder Woman 1984 was slated to come out, Warner Bros announced that in addition to releasing the sequel in theaters, it would also be made available on HBO Max for a 31-day period. This was done in response to the pandemic , and the studio would soon adopt this release strategy for all its 2021 movies. While Wonder Woman 1984 director Patty Jenkins understands why WB decided to do this, she doesn’t want this to happen to one of her movies again, and now she’s shared her thoughts about movies that are meant to go straight to streaming.

Last week, Patty Jenkins described the decision to put Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max as “heartbreaking,” and while she’s open to making TV show for a streaming service like Netflix, she wouldn’t want to make a movie for them because she’s a big proponent of the big screen experience. More recently, in a panel discussion hosted by The Los Angeles Times, along with echoing her thoughts on day-and-date premieres, the filmmaker said the following about movies that are made specifically for these platforms:

That’s a pretty big blanket statement for movies that only play on streaming services. Are all the flicks platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon deliver to the world quality products? No, but the same can be said for a lot of ones that play in theaters. Plus, when you have movies like Roma, The Irishman and Mank (all of which were released on Netflix) that are scoring recognition at the Academy Awards and other ceremonies, clearly at least some of these cinematic tales are being talked about by both film fans and the general public. Of course, let’s not forget that it’s hard work making any type of movie, regardless of the venue where it’s shown.

Still, it’s all a matter of personal preference, and for Patty Jenkins, she would rather both watch and make movies meant for the big screen. As far as Warner Bros sending its theatrical movies to HBO Max this year, that was done to combat extreme circumstances, and the studio has already struck a deal with AMC Theatres to ensure that all of its 2022 movies play exclusively in theaters for 45 days. Presumably this plan, or one similar to it, will stay in effect in the years to follow, so Jenkins won’t need to worry about WB implementing a day-and-date release with Wonder Woman 3.

Before Patty Jenkins helms another solo adventure starring Gal Gadot’s Diana of Themyscira, she’s spending time in a galaxy far, far away by directing the next Star Wars movie, Rogue Squadron. That will be released on December 22, 2023. Jenkins and Gadot are also re-teaming for a movie about Cleopatra, and that will be distributed by Paramount Pictures. I suspect if the director hasn’t already talked with the studio about ensuring that Cleopatra doesn’t go straight to Paramount+, she will in the near future.

Warner Bros. has been under constant scrutiny over its hybrid release plan. Multiple filmmakers have spoken out against the simultaneous theatrical-HBO Max approach. One voice moviegoers haven’t heard from in this debate has been Wonder Woman 1984 director Patty Jenkins. As the Wonder Woman sequel was one of the first to test out this strategy, Jenkins had never really spoken up on the sudden shift until now. The director shared her "heartbreaking" experience releasing the sequel on HBO Max.

Patty Jenkins aired out her thoughts on Wonder Woman 1984’s hybrid release, according to Deadline. Jenkins finally spoke up on what it was like to release the sequel during a panel at CinemaCon. Despite the reported pay-out she and Gal Gadot received, the director wasn’t as content with the situation as moviegoers may have believed. The Wonder Woman 1984 director said about the sequel’s same-day theatrical-streaming release:

Jenkins’ words gave a peek into what she was dealing with surrounding Wonder Woman 1984’s hybrid release. Her thoughts on the HBO Max deal echoed the same sentiments as fellow directors Denis Villeneuve and Tenet's Christopher Nolan. Patty Jenkins seemed to place the blame on Warner Bros. over the Wonder Woman sequel’s disappointing box office reception. So, in Jenkins’ perspective, she doesn’t want to deal with the same situation again. Even though, current situations may make that scenario a recurring strategy for the time being.

Jenkins further expanded on her feelings with streaming movies. The director mentioned her work as a filmmaker was strictly for “the big-screen experience” before Netflix was brought into the equation. Patty Jenkins gave a strong “no” to making films for the streaming giant. She gave her reasons for her stance on not making films for streaming by saying:

But the Wonder Woman 1984 director wasn’t done airing out her grievances. She reportedly aimed her biggest criticisms at the studios and movie theaters. Patty Jenkins took issue with the waning quality of the moviegoing experience in recent years (i.e., ticket prices, seating, food costs, etc). When it came to Hollywood studios, Jenkins blamed them for a lack of diverse content at the cinema while criticizing their deals for blockbusters and extended-release windows. Months after the Wonder Woman sequel’s release, Jenkins finally felt okay speaking her piece on the current state of cinema.

Hopefully, Patty Jenkins won’t have to worry about the same-day approach when her next releases are unleashed onto the world. But if you want to see Jenkins and Gal Gadot continue their Wonder Woman exploits, you can watch Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max.

The pandemic has led to movie studios needing to get creative with releasing its movies. For Warner Bros, this resulted in launching a day-and-date release plan, with all of its 2021 movies being released on HBO Max for a 31 day-period at the same time as they premiered in theaters. This approach was first implemented with Wonder Woman 1984 in December 2020, and while director Patty Jenkins understands why this needed to be done, she also hopes that she never has to deal with such a release plan ever again.

During a panel at CinemaCon on Thursday (via The Wrap), Patty Jenkins acknowledged that putting Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max as it was playing in theaters was “best choice in a bunch of bad choices at the moment” since COVID-19 vaccines hadn’t become widely available yet. The Wonder Woman 1984 filmmaker continued:

So on the one hand, Patty Jenkins is well aware that Warner Bros was in a tough spot, and Wonder Woman 1984 had indeed been ready to go for a long time. Ahead of COVID-19 becoming widespread, the plan was to deliver it to the masses on June 5, 2020, but then it was delayed to August 14, followed by a push to October 2 and then finally settling into its Christmas Day slot. Warner Bros announced in mid-November that the movie would be accessible on HBO Max too, and just a few weeks later, the studio decided to do the same with its 2021 movies.

On the other hand, just like fellow directors/Warner Bros contributors Christoper Nolan and Denis Villeneuve, Patty Jenkins values the big screen experience, and seeing another one of her movies go up on streaming at the same time as they’re in theaters is something she hopes to avoid “forever.” She said it was “heartbreaking” that many people would see Wonder Woman 1984 on a TV or laptop screen first instead of a movie theater, then added:

As far as Warner Bros is concerned, Patty Jenkins can take comfort knowing no one will have to deal with this kind of day-and-date approach next year. Earlier this month, the studio struck a deal with AMC Theatres to ensure that all of its 2022 movies will play exclusively in theaters for 45 days, which looks like it’s becoming the new theatrical window norm. Regarding Wonder Woman 1984, due to the extreme circumstances in which it was released, the sequel only made $166.5 million worldwide off a $200 million budget, and was met with mixed critical reception.

Fortunately for fans of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Patty Jenkins has signed on to make Wonder Woman 3, and she’s also executive producing an Amazons spinoff that will be linked to events between Wonder Woman 1984 and the upcoming threequel. Elsewhere in the cinematic space, Jenkins is working on the Star Wars movie Rogue Squadron, which will be released on December 22, 2023.

The love between an actor and a director can be very strong. We’ve heard Mark Hamill discuss his working relationship with Star Wars’ George Lucas, and Michael B. Jordan has spoken highly of his Black Panther and Creed director Ryan Coogler on plenty of occasions. Patty Jenkins is another director who has managed to forge lasting relationships with her stars. Pedro Pascal recently had the pleasure of working with her on Wonder Woman 1984, and he also seems to have formed a bond with her. This was evidenced by his recent birthday post to her, which includes an incognito Gal Gadot sporting her tiara.

That brief description alone should tell you that Pedro Pascal found a pretty distinct way to mark Patty Jenkins’ recent birthday. And not only does the photo feature Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot, but it also features Pascal himself who’s in costume as Maxwell Lord. You can see the post for yourself down below:

I don’t know what I love more: the photo itself or Pedro Pascal’s sweet caption. And what’s even sweeter is that Gal Gadot even provided a loving response in the comments. So it’s pretty clear to see that there’s plenty of love among the Wonder Woman collaborators.

Gal Gadot also wished Patty Jenkins well on her special day and did so by sharing a number of sweet photos on her Instagram account. That post is available to check out down below:

The Wonder Woman crew is known for showing each other love, especially on their birthdays. A few years back, Patty Jenkins actually celebrated Gal Gadot’s day by dropping an image from Wonder Woman 1984. At this point, Jenkins and Gadot almost feel like a package deal and are solidifying themselves as a powerful creative duo. At present, they’re even developing a Cleopatra movie.

Considering the positive things people say about Patty Jenkins, it’s easy to see why Pedro Pascal had no problem becoming friends with the filmmaker. And from what we’ve learned about his work on the film, it would seem that he was given free rein when it came to developing his villainous character. Like his role on Disney+’s The Mandalorian, Maxwell Lord seems to have been a dream come true for Pascal and, for that, he certainly owes a great deal to Jenkins.

Hopefully, the relationship between Patty Jenkins and Pedro Pascal endures for years to come. It would definitely be great to see the two creatives team up for another movie. But until that happens, fans can check out their work in Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.

It seems like it wasn’t all that long ago the world was anticipating the arrival of Wonder Woman 1984 in theaters (and on HBO Max), but with each passing day we are further away from the second entry of a proposed trilogy of one of DC Comics most famous and prolific characters. And while the March 2021 release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League gave us an extra dose of Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) in all her glory, you may be wondering what’s next and what’s going on with Wonder Woman 3.

The truth is, there is already a lot we already know about the upcoming DC movie, but at the same time, there are a few unknowns at this stage in the game. And while we don’t yet know when we’ll actually get to see the movie, what it’s about, and who will be joining Gal Gadot on the big screen, what we do know about Wonder Woman 3 is pretty freaking exciting. That being said, let’s jump into everything we know about the return of Wonder Woman…

Gal Gadot Will Lead The Wonder Woman 3 Cast

No surprise here, but Gal Gadot will be returning to take on the role of the Amazon princess Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman in the next set of adventures. The rest of the Wonder Woman 3 cast, however, remains a mystery at this time. Even though Asteria (Lynda Carter) made a brief cameo in the Wonder Woman 1984 end credits scene, it was never made all that clear if this was just a one-off appearance by the legendary Amazonian warrior and Wonder Woman TV show actress or the start of something that will be explored at some point in the franchise’s future. We will also have to wait and see if Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor is actually finished as well.

Writer-Director Patty Jenkins Will Be Back For Wonder Woman 3

Trying to imagine a world in which Patty Jenkins doesn’t return to finish what she started with the Wonder Woman franchise is something no one wants to do, and luckily we won’t have to either. Although Jenkins initially made comments during an interview with Vanity Fair that made it unclear about her role as a director for the upcoming threequel in addition to penning the script, it has since been revealed that she will return for a third go (as well as the mysterious Amazon-centric spinoff).

Warner Bros. Officially Greenlit Wonder Woman 3 In December 2020

Just as Wonder Woman 1984 was on its way to becoming the most-streamed movie of the year in December 2020, Warner Bros. made the franchise’s future official and gave the series’ third movie the green light to proceed with development. A statement from Warner Bros. Pictures Chairman Toby Emmerich broke the news, saying that Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins would be back to bring the trilogy to a close but didn’t provide any information about a timeline or any other details about the highly-anticipated DCEU superhero movie.

Wonder Woman 3 Will Not Be Set In The Past Like The First Two Movies

The first two entries in the Wonder Woman trilogy were set in 1918 and 1984, respectively, but the final entry in the franchise will not be set in the past, instead during contemporary times. Patty Jenkins touched on this during a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter where she talked about Diana Prince’s story will end, saying:

With Wonder Woman 3 being a more contemporary story than it’s predecessors that could place it around the same time as Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Zack Snyder’s Justice League depending on how the DCEU timeline works out.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Forced Patty Jenkins To Re-Evaluate The Wonder Woman 3 Story

At this point it has become a cliche to say the world is a different place now than it was in 2019, but the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way it changed people’s perspective on everything is something we will all continue to deal with for quite some time. This also happened to Patty Jenkins, who told Total Film in June 2020 that the health crisis affected the Wonder Woman 3 story:

How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Wonder Woman 3 remains to be seen, but Patty Jenkins did stress that she wanted to make sure the movie was influenced by what’s going on in the world.

Wonder Woman 3 Will Have A Traditional Theatrical Release

When Wonder Woman 3 is eventually released, it won’t take the same route as Wonder Woman 1984 which say the superhero sequel opened in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously in December 2020. Instead, the upcoming threequel will likely have a traditional theatrical release, according to Variety. This should come as no surprise especially considering how Warner Bros. has already announced that the studio will return to its theater-first model in 2022, bringing an end to the groundbreaking yet divisive streaming model.

There Could Be A Long Wait Before Wonder Woman 3 Is Released

Those hoping to see Wonder Woman 3 in 2021, 2022, and possibly even 2023 may be setting themselves up to be disappointed as it could be quite some time before it actually happens. During a December 2020 interview with CinemaBlend’s Reelblend Podcast (just a couple of weeks before Warner Bros. gave the threequel the greenlight), Patty Jenkins revealed she had a story in mind that she and Wonder Woman 1984 writer Geoff Johns were fired up about but wasn’t sure when it was going to get made, if that actual version of the story gets made at all.

Although she didn’t reveal any specifics about the story, Patty Jenkins explained that she wanted to wait and see where we are in the world when she gets around to working on Wonder Woman 3. This could be quite some time considering the other projects Jenkins is working on, most notably the Rogue Squadron movie scheduled to be released December 22, 2023.

Gal Gadot Has Called Wonder Woman 3 ‘A Nice Closure’

With the current state of the DCEU, Wonder Woman 3 could very well be the end of the road for Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the iconic comic book character. This is something the actress addressed during an interview on Variety’s The Big Ticket Podcast (which was recorded prior to Wonder Woman 3 being greenlit), saying:

How this talk of ‘a nice closure’ will affect the Wonder Woman 3 story remains to be seen, but with the franchise always thought to be concluding following its third installment, this could have major ramifications on its narrative. We’ll have to wait and see.

And while we wait, now is the perfect time to get caught up to speed on all the other upcoming DC movies coming our way the next couple of years. And don’t forget to check out CinemaBlend’s 2021 movies schedule for even more cinematic adventures.

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Star Wars is one of the most popular franchises of all time, and Disney has consistently been releasing exciting new content. With The Rise of Skywalker in the rearview, the next time the galaxy far, far away will return to theaters is Patty Jenkins’ developing Rogue Squadron movie. And the Wonder Woman director’s latest update is sure to please fans.

Patty Jenkins has had a long and successful career, and moviegoers are thrilled to see her dive into Star Wars with Rogue Squadron. She should presumably have some freedom with the story, especially since the nine-film Skywalker Saga has come to an end. Jenkins was recently asked about that mysterious project, saying:

Well, that’s certainly exciting. It looks like development for Rogue Squadron is going swimmingly, with Patty Jenkins wrapping up the story and assembling the crew. So as soon as said script is polished, development will hopefully move to light speed with some highly anticipated casting updates.

Patty Jenkins’ comments to THR will no doubt help to satiate the generations of Star Wars fans as Rogue Squadron continues coming together. While Star Wars will continue expanding thanks to shows on Disney+ like The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch, moviegoers are eager for any information regarding the property’s big screen future.

Star Wars fans can re-watch the franchise so far on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

As Patty Jenkins mentions, Rogue Squadron has the ability to be a new start for the Star Wars franchise. While the sequel trilogy was released, the property experimented here and there with standalone movies like Rogue One and Solo. But now that the main narrative has wrapped up, the time has come for the galaxy far, far away to break new ground.

Since Star Wars’ security is notoriously tight, the details of Rogue Squadron’s story remain a mystery for the time being. Considering Patty Jenkins’ resume and experience working with genre and big concepts, she seems like a killer choice to bring the fans into this new era.

Of course, moviegoers are also excited to see Patty Jenkins’ inevitable return to the DC Extended Universe with Wonder Woman 3. The acclaimed filmmaker has also expressed interest in an Amazon prequel, so it should be interesting to see how she balances responsibilities of both the DCEU and Star Wars.

Rogue Squadron doesn’t currently have a release date, although there are a number of live-action Star Wars shows coming to Disney+. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience

It's always sad when somebody great that so many people admire passes away, but if there's anything that lessens the blow, it's hearing people talk about how much the dear departed meant to so many. That makes the passing of the great Richard Donner, the director of Superman, The Goonies, and the Lethal Weapon franchise, among so many others, a little easier to accept. It seems that every voice in Hollywood is speaking right now about how much they admired him, whether or not they ever worked with him.

Richard Donner died on Monday, July 5 at the age of 91. After directing primarily in television throughout the 1960s, Donner directed The Omen in 1976 and from there moved on to direct Christopher Reeve in Superman, a movie that would have lasting implications on Hollywood in ways that certainly nobody could have conceived of at the time. Among those paying tribute to Donner was the man who took up the mantle of Superman behind the camera, Zack Snyder.

While Richard Donner would make his name directing movies on the big screen, Donner got started in television and he would occasionally return there, directing episodes of Tales From the Crypt as late as 1992. He directed a lot of westerns, like The Rifleman and Have Gun, Will Travel, but he also directed several episodes of Rod Serling's original Twilight Zone, including many of its best known episodes. In 1962 he would direct Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, starring a then largely unknown William Shatner.

William Shatner wouldn't be the only major name that Richard Donner would work with before they were a household name. Star Wars star Mark Hamill joined the chorus of those remembering Richard Donner, as he also worked with the director, on a made-for-TV morality tale called Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic. Donner would go on to make The Omen afterwards, while Hamill would make Star Wars a couple years later.

While Superman and its sequel would be the superhero movies Richard Donner will forever be known for, they certainly weren't the only ones he would actually be involved with. Donner and his wife Lauren Shuler Donner would produce the original X-Men movie in 2000 as well as X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009. Hugh Jackman also posted his feelings, sending love to Donner's widow and remembering the director's love for rescuing dogs.

That first X-Men movie would also be a major movie for a man who would become an iconic producer in his own right. Kevin Feige's career with Marvel movies would begin with X-Men where he worked with the Donners. However, his connection to them predates even that, as Feige worked as an assistant to Lauren Shuler Donner for a time in the late 1990s.

If there's a movie even bigger than Superman in Richard Donner's career it has to be The Goonies. The film is something of a rite of passage and a film that it seems nearly every young person sees at one point growing up. The script would be one of the first films made from the work of a young Chris Columbus, who credits working with Donner on that film for teaching him how to work with writers after Columbus himself would become a director.

The cast of The Goonies have also reacted to the loss of their director. Sean Astin remembered what it was like working with the man at the age of 12, while Josh Brolin recalled what he called Donner's "perpetual awe."

Certainly, for a man who was part of so many iconic movies, Richard Donner was an inspiration for a host of future directors. One of those is Wonder Woman's Patty Jenkins, who knew Donner personally, but was just in awe of him professionally, considering he put together an impressive body of work in a remarkably short period of time.

For many the legacy of Richard Donner will be a man who could fly. For others it will be a childhood adventure, but it all started with an iconic horror movie, and for Scott Derrickson, it all started with a kid's terrifying smile.

Whether you love horror movies, superhero movies, action movies or family films, Richard Donner left his mark on all of them. The man may be gone, but his work will live on after him, likely inspiring future generations to follow in his footsteps.

Since Lucasfilm's Star Wars wrapped up its Skywalker Saga in 2019, it’s been nearly quiet on the film front aside from some exciting filmmakers taking on secret movies, including Taika Waititi, Kevin Feige and Rian Johnson. The next movie set in a galaxy far, far away will be Rogue Squadron from Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, and we’ve finally learned who the writer is penning the script.

Rogue Squadron was announced back in December, and early this year, Patty Jenkins shared that there was a writer already attached to her fighter pilot movie, but she decided to keep it close to the vest. Now we’ve learned that Matthew Robinson, who previously wrote Love and Monsters and 2009’s The Invention of Lying with Ricky Gervais, is working away on the script, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Back in January, Patty Jenkins shared that she did have a writer she was working on the project with, but she wanted to wait for him to get a “proper announcement.” Well, I’m not sure this is it (it was reported by a trade rather than the studio itself), but hey, now we know the writer behind Rogue Squadron. In early 2021, the pair had almost finished the treatment for the movie, and now Robinson is reportedly in the middle of writing up the script ahead of a 2022 shoot.

Rogue Squadron already has a December 22, 2023 release date, and it looks like the movie’s development is moving right along as it eyes starting pre-production this fall. Matthew Robinson might seem like an unexpected choice for a Star Wars movie, but he does have quite a diverse resume under his belt. The writer also adapted Dora the Explorer in 2019’s live-action adventure and is attached to the screenplay for the up-in-the-air Edge of Tomorrow sequel and the upcoming Little Shop of Horrors remake starring Chris Evans and Taron Egerton.

Aside from the good news that Rogue Squadron has a scribe and is moving along through development, we really don’t know much about the movie itself. We’ve made our guesses about where it could fit in the Star Wars timeline, but because the universe is moving forward into a world that is no longer all about the Skywalkers and Darth Vader, there are plenty of new paths to go down.

As revealed during last year’s Disney Investor Day (above), Patty Jenkins is the daughter of a fighter pilot herself, who died while serving his country. The Wonder Woman 1984 director was inspired by his passing to make “the greatest fighter pilot movie of all time.” It’ll be exciting to see what her and Matthew Robinson envision for Rogue Squadron as the production begins to transform into something more concrete.

When it was finally released to theaters and HBO Max last Christmas, Wonder Woman 1984 had a year’s worth of hype surrounding it from being pushed back so many times. Even though a number of critics loved it, once fans started watching the film either in theaters or via streaming, there was some disappointment, especially when compared to the first Gal Gadot-led Wonder Woman film. Connie Nielsen, who plays the role of Wonder Woman’s mother Hippolyta, reveals why she thinks the sequel wasn’t as well received as the original.

Connie Nielsen believes that Wonder Woman 1984's less than favorable reception was due to the unfair expectations put on the film after it had been delayed for over a year due to the pandemic. Nielsen also spoke on the weight director Patty Jenkins had to carry in terms of making a worthy follow-up. Here it is in the Gladiator actress’ own words:

In addition to the director taking on more expectations, Connie Nielsen says fans also felt like they were holding out for more from the film with having to wait so long to see it. Usually when delays happen with films in the pre-pandemic world, it's because the film needs fine tuning or it is getting improved in some way. That just hasn’t been the case since COVID hit and, in the same interview with Den of Geek, Nielsen says she believes Wonder Woman 1984 was put under abnormal judgement - even more so than your typical sequel would have been. She said:

Connie Nielsen does make a lot of sense, especially when you consider that Wonder Woman 1984 was one of the first big releases to make it back to theaters since the onset of COVID other than films like Tenet and Unhinged, which released right at the beginning of theater re-openings. Needless to say, Patty Jenkins’ film was the biggest and most anticipated Christmas film, and it was hoped that it would spark the box office after shutdowns.

Even though Wonder Woman 1984 may not have hit as hard as Patty Jenkins and the cast would have hoped with fans, it wasn’t all bad, especially considering the unpredictable time it was released in. The cause isn’t lost, either, as Jenkins will have another crack at it. A third Wonder Woman film has been announced and, by the time it's released, these issues that Connie Nielsen believes to be at the root of Wonder Woman 1984’s dissatisfactory reception may be significantly lessened.

For many Wonder Woman fans, seeing Gal Gadot in action was great, but a major highlight was seeing the inhabitants of Themyscira in their full glory. And with this, the casting of Connie Nielsen as Diana’s mother, Queen Hippolyta, was a great move for the DC film. As you would expect, Nielsen worked closely with director Patty Jenkins to craft the character. And according to Nielsen, this character development nearly included a tragic backstory for Hippolyta and the Amazons, which Jenkins fought against.

Patty Jenkins was able to convince big stars like Connie Nielsen and Robin Wright to join the Wonder Woman franchise, but it sounds like she had some more convincing to do when it came to the execs at Warner Bros. It is well known how passionate the director is about the source material, and Nielsen witnessed this firsthand. While speaking with Collider, Nielsen explained how Jenkins kept the Amazons from becoming tragic figures:

After revealing Patty Jenkins’ fight for the Amazons, Connie Nielsen divulged how Jenkins kept things going on the set. And as you would expect, the filmmaker's clarity helped guide the film:

Given Robin Wright’s recent sentiments about Patty Jenkins, Connie Nielsen’s account of working with the Wonder Woman director matches up perfectly. The actress showed admiration and respect for the director as she witnessed Jenkins keep the film from going in a not-so-positive direction. Because of Jenkins' insistence, the Amazons became warriors not because of a tragedy but because of inherent heroism. It's easy to see why the cast has so much respect for Jenkins, and her relationship with them won't be ending any time soon.

There have been talks about an Amazonian spinoff since Patty Jenkins first mentioned the notion in 2019, and Connie Nielsen recently hinting at it being a potential origin story. With so little information about the spinoff, only time will team if the actress will reteam with Jenkins before or after the upcoming Wonder Woman 3 kicks off production. But what we can say is that given the reception to the Amazon, any story involving them is sure to draw high interest from the general public.

Robin Wright has made a career out of playing diverse roles, although whether it’s in House of Cards or Land, she has remained very selective about which characters she decides to play. One of her more memorable performances in recent years was playing Antiope in 2017’s Wonder Woman, but it took some convincing to take the role. Wright recently explained how director Patty Jenkins convinced her to join the DCEU.

While Gal Gadot was the main draw in Wonder Woman, getting Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen to participate in the female-led superhero film was a major coup. At the time, Wright had won over audiences and critics as Claire Underwood in Netflix’s House of Cards, so having her in the superhero film was a big deal. With Patty Jenkins teasing a spinoff based on Themyscira, Wright revealed to Collider how enthusiasm for Wonder Woman convinced her to join the first film:

After giving her reasons for doing the film, Robin Wright was asked what qualities she would take from Patty Jenkins if given the chance to direct a blockbuster. She gave Jenkins praise for her being a good leader on set with the following words:

Given Robin Wright’s track record before Wonder Woman, she was an excellent choice to play Antiope, and she seemed to channel previous roles into her character. Even though she was on-screen for an abbreviated period, she stood out in every scene she was in. I especially enjoyed the training scenes between Wright and Gal Gadot in the DCEU film. Alas, given Antiope's fate in Wonder Woman, Wright only momentarily reprised the role in Wonder Woman 1984 through a flashback.

Robin Wright’s Antiope was a true badass in both Wonder Woman films. The actress took a beloved side character in the Wonder Woman mythos and made her a standout. Hopefully Patty Jenkins’ Themyscira-set Amazons film will happen so audiences get to learn more about Antiope.

Robin Wright’s Hollywood career is, in a word, impressive. She’s taken on so many iconic roles over the years at this point that her legacy is already solidified. That also means she can choose her roles carefully these days. It seems like Patty Jenkins must have been aware of that fact when she pitched Wonder Woman to Wright, since she had a pretty bold approach to trying to get the actress on board.

In Wonder Woman, Robin Wright brought undeniable gravitas to her portrayal of Antiope. The actress’ performance was a big selling point for Patty Jenkins’ 2017 film, and fans were thrilled to learn she’d be reprising the role in Wonder Woman 1984. The role of Antiope was essential to making the Wonder Woman story work -- despite limited screen time, the character’s death needed to carry a lot of weight, in order for Diana’s character arc to be convincing.

Patty Jenkins clearly knew Robin Wright was the right woman for the job -- and apparently she knew exactly what to say to convince the actress that was the case. Robin Wright told Collider that despite her busy schedule at the time, she was compelled by the director’s pitch:

Given Robin Wright’s previous roles, in movies like The Princess Bride and Forrest Gump, it’s not a surprise that she was drawn to Wonder Woman’s themes. She clearly has a sense of adventure and isn’t afraid to back down from a challenge, which made her an even more perfect fit for the role. It’s also cool to know that Patty Jenkins knew how to appeal to the actress and get her to see the value in joining the franchise.

It sounds like Robin Wright’s tenure with Wonder Woman has proven to be well worth her time. She’s made it clear she’d be on board for future chapters too, including that rumored Amazons spinoff, if the opportunity presented itself. In the meantime, she’s kept herself busy with a new challenge since House of Cards and Wonder Woman 1984 wrapped. This year, she also starred in her directorial debut, Land.

Anyone looking to revisit Robin Wright's role as Antiope can stream Wonder Woman on HBO Max now.

As we look to the future, the world of Wonder Woman is set to have a growing influence in realm of DC Comics movies. Obviously the presence of Gal Gadot’s Princess Diana is already significant, as the star has played the role in four films over the last five years, but not only does she have Wonder Woman 3 in the works, but the franchise is also moving forward with a spinoff centered on the Amazons of Themyscira.

We’ve heard some interesting things about the latter project in recent months, as director Patty Jenkins (who is producing the film) said late last year that the story will chronicle events between Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, but now Connie Nielsen has provided us with an update revealing that the scope is actually significantly broader than that.

I had the pleasure of interviewing the actor yesterday during the virtual press day for her upcoming film Nobody, and it was at the end of our conversation that I asked her thoughts on the recent developments with the Amazons film. My curiosity was particularly driven by the emotional circumstances that arise for Nielsen’s character, Queen Hippolyta, during the aforementioned time period (namely dealing with her daughter leaving Themyscira), but she surprised me by revealing that the movie won’t just take place in the aftermath of Wonder Woman. She said,

If that doesn’t provide an extra kick of excitement for the project, I’m not really sure what to tell you. While Patty Jenkins’ description of the timeline for the Amazons movie suggested that the project would on some level function to answer the question, “What’s been happening on Themyscira while Wonder Woman has been gone?” but Connie Nielsen’s tease hints that the film will also be doing a bit of digging into the history of the island and its residents.

What’s particularly thrilling about this update is that it means that we may wind up seeing the film having a deeper engagement with all of the mythology surrounding the magical island paradise that is Themyscira – including all of the various legends involving the Greek gods. Both Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984 feature flashback sequences and have plot points that have given audiences a taste of the history, but because of their respective stories the focus has more been in “Man’s World.” Amazons will have the chance to do a much deeper dig, and Connie Nielsen makes it sound like the production isn’t missing the opportunity.

We’ve known about Patty Jenkins’ plans to produce a Wonder Woman spinoff about the Amazons since late 2019, and while the gears seem to be turning somewhat slowly, they definitely are turning. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it won’t be too long before the project gets an official slot on the slate and a release date – but for now you can check out what’s in the immediate future for DC films by checking out our Upcoming DC Movies guide.

As for Connie Nielsen, you’ll next be able to see her in Nobody – also starring Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd, and RZA – when it arrives in theaters on March 26.

Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman films have been monumental to the expansion of Warner Bros’ DC universe. The introduction and deeper dive into Diana Prince’s homeland of Themyscira is an especially exciting aspect of the films that Jenkins hopes to continue to explore with a spinoff focused on the Amazons. Could Robin Wright reprise her role as the late Antiope following an appearance in Wonder Woman 1984?

Robin Wright spoke to CinemaBlend while promoting her directorial debut, Land, a drama she also stars in about a woman who decides to live off the grid in Wyoming after facing tragedy. During the conversation, I asked the House of Cards actress if she has been part of any conversations with Patty Jenkins about returning for the Amazons. In her words:

That’d be the correct answer! How does one even say no to returning to the female-run island that the production filmed on the Italian coast? According to Robin Wright, she has not been involved in conversations with Patty Jenkins about it, and she seems to have heard about it in the same way we did. But if Wright does receive the call to reprise her role as Antiope, she’s ready to go.

The main thing that could stand in the way of Robin Wright’s return as Antiope is the fact that the character died in the first Wonder Woman movie when the world of men and war broke into the island’s invisible barrier. Even so, Antiope did get to return for the sequel in a key flashback sequence during the Amazon Olympics that ended up being pivotal to the film’s themes and messages.

Patty Jenkins has certainly resurrected a main Wonder Woman character before with Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor. What’s dead is dead isn’t necessarily in the rulebook for the DCEU. Robin Wright has opened up before about how much she loves playing Diana Prince’s aunt, citing her excitement about being part of an “iconic time” introducing badass female superheroes to Hollywood.

Patty Jenkins has been talking about her plans to make an Amazons movie since late 2019, initially detailing that she already has the entire story of the spinoff laid out. More recently, Jenkins said the movie will take place after Diana leaves Themyscira. She also teased some “twists and turns linked to what will happen between Wonder Woman 1984 and Wonder Woman 3.”

There are a ton of possibilities for the Amazons spinoff if it does happen, and either way, it does feel like Antiope really lives in the fabric of that world. Wonder Woman’s mom, Queen Hippolyta, could be key to the film, or it could introduce new Amazons like Donna Troy or Nubia. We’ll keep you posted on any and all Wonder Woman updates.

Robin Wright’s directorial debut, Land, comes to select theaters on February 12.

Since Wonder Woman 1984 hit theaters and HBO Max a few weeks ago on Christmas Day, the movie world basically hasn’t stopped talking about it. The reviews are pretty mixed and there are some strong opinions on the superhero sequel. Some people love the campy vibe director Patty Jenkins added to the film, saying it is reminiscent of older DC movies. The naysayers, however, have made note of the length of the film, saying it moves too slow and that the plot doesn't justify the runtime. With Wonder Woman 1984 clocking in at a whopping two and a half hours, one can understand where they're coming from. But how much was cut from the Gal Gadot-led film? Well according to director Patty Jenkins, only one scene.

Patty Jenkins is a very skilled director, who has a specific way of handling things. This includes her editing process, which is typically pretty sharp. During a recent interview with Collider, Jenkins explained that she actually only cut one whole scene from Wonder Woman 1984:

Say what you will about the film's length, but the runtime allowed Patty Jenkins really bring her vision for Wonder Woman 1984 to life. There are a lot of things to love about the superhero flick, ranging from the '80s aesthetic and the invisible jet to the two awesome villains and the emotional return of a beloved character.

It's actually impressive that Patty Jenkins managed to fit so much into the film. And with so much time on her hands, Jenkins was able to insert things into the movie without them feeling rushed. And this seems to have been the filmmaker's intention.

In the same interview, Jenkins talks about the pace of films now and how slowing things down a little bit, at least to her, brings a little bit more feeling to a film. Here’s what she had to say about the creative choices she made for Wonder Woman 1984:

Whether you agree with Patty Jenkins’ choices for the film, there is no denying that the film has seen success in an otherwise slow year for the film industry. The film has become one of the top-grossing films since the pandemic shutdowns began, and it's also seen high viewership numbers on HBO Max.

Wonder Woman 1984 is far from the last project we will see from Patty Jenkins, who has a number of big films in the works right now, including another Wonder Woman sequel. CinemaBlend will keep you updated on all of Jenkins’ future projects and will continue to be your source for movie and TV news.

Wonder Woman 1984 has only been available to fans for a couple of weeks, but the team behind the movie already seem to be looking toward the future of the franchise. That’s especially true for Gal Gadot, who seems to be hinting that Wonder Woman 3 could mark a turning point for Diana Prince. But when she talks about the third installment of the series being a "nice closure" for her character, what does she mean?

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman has seen tremendous character growth since we first met her. By the end of Wonder Woman 1984, she’s charting a course toward a seemingly optimistic future. Patty Jenkins and the rest of the Wonder Woman team definitely left the story open for future development -- and it looks like Wonder Woman 3 is all but a certainty at this point.

What comes after, though, is much less clear. During a recent visit to Variety's The Big Ticket podcast -- recorded prior to the announcement of Wonder Woman 3 -- Gal Gadot and Marc Malkin discussed the future of the franchise. Both seemed to be in agreement about the necessity of a third chapter in Wonder Woman’s solo journey on film -- but the actress had an intriguing perspective on what that might look like:

Framing Wonder Woman 3 as a film that will create closure is definitely something to pay attention to. Of course, when Warner Bros.’ chairman announced late last year that they were fast tracking the third film, he alluded to the fact that Patty Jenkins and co. have long planned for this series to be a trilogy. In other words, this isn’t the first we’re hearing about Wonder Woman 3 being the last in the standalone franchise for Diana Prince.

Still, hearing those words from Gal Gadot calls into question how finalized the plans for Wonder Woman 3 are -- and whether that will also mean the end of the actress’ tenure as the character. There seem to be numerous possibilities for the character’s future -- Gal Gadot could appear in other films in the DCEU multiverse, and there could be spin-offs that focus on other characters we’ve met in the Wonder Woman films.

If Gal Gadot is ready to move on, though, then maybe Wonder Woman 3 is her and Patty Jenkins’ way of sending off the character as they know it in the best way possible. We know there’s nothing stopping Warner Bros. from recasting the role in the future, but there’s no denying it would be the end of an era if the actress decides to hang up her lasso for good.

What do you think about the future of Wonder Woman? Let us know in the comments!

Just when you thought you couldn’t get any more excited about Star Wars, a great, big bombshell landed at Disney’s Investors Day that changed everything. With Wonder Woman 1984 director Patty Jenkins being announced as the director of an upcoming film centered around the Rogue Squadron, the ensuing weeks have seen tons of speculation. One of the biggest questions happens to be a natural fit in the current era of the franchise, as fans are wondering just when in the Star Wars timeline Ms. Jenkins’ movie could take place.

There are a lot of options, and even some minor background, as to when it looks like Star Wars: Rogue Squadron will take place already out in the world. With all of that floating around in the air, and the story for the film already pretty far along in the development process, we can begin to piece together what the scenarios in play might entail. So, let’s take a look at where this next chapter in the extended Star Wars universe might take us; starting with the information we have on just what’s going into this project.

What Do We Know About Star Wars: Rogue Squadron’s Story

During the Disney Investor’s Day presentation that put Star Wars: Rogue Squadron on the map, executive producer Kathleen Kennedy was on hand to explain the next steps in the landmark franchise’s game plan. Now more than ever, the future of Star Wars is in question, with The Mandalorian making some pretty huge connections to the main line franchise in its second season. In her initial pitch pertaining to Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Kennedy talked the project up with the following details:

There are two specific conditions mentioned in Kathleen Kennedy’s outlining of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron that should be highlighted. With “a new generation” and “a future era” both being outlined clear as day, there seems to be a pretty defined path for where the adventures of Rogue Squadron could be heading. However, those terms are pretty malleable, and the perfect amount of vague to keep the public in the dark about this new adventure. Let’s discuss all of the possibilities on hand, starting with the earliest point on the Star Wars timeline that Rogue Squadron could take place.

Before A New Hope

After the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the legendary origin of the squadron’s iconic naming landed in the Star Wars history books rather effectively. With a couple of squadron members who would be showcased in A New Hope already present, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron could see itself further laying down the groundwork for the squad we’d come to know and love through various tie-in projects that told tales of their exploits. Of course, this is one of several possible scenarios that bank on that remark about a “future era” pertaining to the film franchise, and not the actual period in which Rogue Squadron takes place.

Between A New Hope And Return Of The Jedi

Another possibility that takes the past of Star Wars and uses is it as the future is that of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron becoming a new project that chronicles the squadron’s development throughout the original trilogy era. This particular option feels rather unlikely, as anyone who focused on this span of time would obviously want to chronicle the progression of Wedge Antilles’s career throughout those years. That counts out the “future era” claim, as well as the “new generation,” as we might just see a lot of other familiar faces popping up. Although, this time period could introduce us to some other pilots that we’ve never met yet, with Wedge as a central character that helps explore this new and adventurous Patty Jenkins story.

Between Return Of The Jedi And The Mandalorian

With the recent video game Star Wars: Squadrons, we’ve seen another story of fighter pilots waging war in the name of their respective causes make Star Wars history. That story’s post Return of the Jedi time frame could make for an interesting gap to pull inspiration from, and might even be able to tie into the events of The Mandalorian. With the Season 2 sighting of Trapper Wolf (Dave Filoni) and Captain Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) reminding us that even the New Republic needs crack fighter pilots, the characters introduced in the Disney+ series form a great potential basis for the next stage in Rogue Squadron’s history.

Between The Mandalorian And The Force Awakens

Our new pilot friends from The Mandalorian might serve another purpose, though, as there’s a possibility that Star Wars: Rogue Squadron could be another new project that explores the gap between The Mandalorian and the eventual rise of the First Order. Telling the stories that happen between Mando’s quest with The Child and our introduction to Daisy Ridley’s Rey, the New Republic’s finest starfighters would combat the remaining Imperial forces that will eventually become Kylo Ren and General Hux’s first lines of defense. Which could lead to another era of Star Wars storytelling opening up.

Between The Force Awakens And The Rise Of Skywalker

As we saw Denis Lawson’s Wedge Antilles make a surprise return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, one of Rogue Squadron’s historic aces didn’t offer a lot of background to explain how or why he rejoined the fray of combat. While technically a future era of storytelling, particularly when you consider it’s the story of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron that’s advancing, the Patty Jenkins project could be a good place to reintroduce Wedge properly throughout the sequel trilogy’s events. The endgame of this particular scenario would see a new slate of post-war pilots carry the banner, giving the Rogue Squadron legacy its new beginning.

After The Rise Of Skywalker

Much as Star Wars: The Force Awakens used the tactic of reintroducing the franchise through some familiar story beats, the future of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron could be doing the same exact thing in its own story. It may finally give the world a post-war cleanup story, but without being saddled with a preset timeline to work within. This option is, most likely, the time period we’ll see Rogue Squadron working in. An open road of excitement would put the starfighters of the legendary flying force of the New Republic against those who remain after the Battle of Exegol that closed Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker; leaving our heroes to match wits with an ever desperate enemy that officially has nothing to lose.

This is, naturally, pure speculation, and in the coming run up to Star Wars: Rogue Squadron’s eventual production, we’ll see more of the particulars revealed in due time. But, for now, the multiple possibilities keep things interesting, as the uncertainty will inspire fans to have their say, which could, ultimately, influence the finished product. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron hits theaters on December 25, 2023, so be sure to stick around with us here at CinemaBlend to get breaking news as it develops.

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After a number of delays Wonder Woman 1984 is finally here. Patty Jenkins' second DCEU blockbuster arrived in both theaters and on HBO Max December 25th, and was watched by a massive number of people. The sequel brought Diana Prince to the 1980s, and Chris Pine's Steve Trevor was mystically revived for the project. And it turns out that his trick to staying in character was at least partly due to rocking a sweet fanny pack.

Shortly after Steve Trevor is brought back in Wonder Woman 1984, he and Gal Gadot's title character have an adorable montage where he tries on various over the top '80s fashions. Chris Pine's character shows a certain affinity for fanny packs, and it turns out that extended to the actor himself. Gadot recently spoke about once again working with Pine, and shared a delightful story about his love for that iconic accessory. As she put it,

Talk about immersing yourself into a character. One of Wonder Woman 1984's lighter moments came when Steve Trevor was given the tour of 1984 Washington D.C., and is amazed by the wonder of "modern" technology. And it looks like Chris Pine was similarly excited by all the '80s gear, and was seen rocking fanny packs and the like off set.

Gal Gadot's comments come from her recent appearance on the podcast The Big Ticket. The 35 year-old actress obviously has chemistry with Chris Pine, as their romantic storyline for both Wonder Woman movies really pays off on the big screen. 1984 reversed their fish out of water dynamic, and it seems that Pine was just as enamored by the film's time setting as his character.

Wonder Woman 1984 is currently streaming on HBO Max. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

Indeed, Steve Trevor did rock a fanny pack throughout the majority of Wonder Woman 1984's 151-minute runtime. But who can blame him? The possibilities of the accessory's pockets were too great to pass up.

Spoilers ahead for Wonder Woman 1984.

Steve's resurrection was one of the biggest mysteries going into Wonder Woman 1984, and the macguffin for his return was one other than the Dreamstone. While fans (and Diana) were delighted to have him back, it seems like Chris Pine's signature character is gone for good. Diana was forced to renounce her wish, and say goodbye to her love a second time.

Since Wonder Woman 1984 became available to stream as well as screen in theaters, Warner Bros. obviously took a financial loss on Patty Jenkins' blockbuster. It should be interesting to see how this factors into the franchise's future, and if a threequel comes next. Jenkins has also expressed interest in an Amazon spinoff, although first she'll be working on Star Wars: Rogue Squadron.

Wonder Woman 1984 is streaming and screening now. Be sure to check out our 2021 release list to plan your next movie experience.

The future of Star Wars on the big screen was a nebulous cloud of questions following the end of the newest trilogy. While numerous projects had been announced and rumored over the years, the only project that had been confirmed by Lucasfilm, a Star Wars movie from the creators of the Game of Thrones series, fell apart when they left the movie. Now, however, we finally know something about what the future of Star Wars will look like in theaters, it will look like Rogue Squadron and it will be directed by Patty Jenkins.

Of course, at this point, that's just about all we know about the movie. We know Patty Jenkins is inspired to make a fighter pilot movie set in the galaxy far, far away, and that the movie is set to debut in theaters in 2023, and that's really all the detail we have. This leaves us with a number of big questions about the movie. Here are the biggest ones.

When Will Rogue Squadron Be Set?

The first time we saw the fighter group Rogue Squadron as an organized team under that name in Star Wars was when Rogue Two discovered Han Solo and Luke Skywalker on Hoth at the beginning of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. According to modern Star Wars continuity, Rogue Squadron was formed by Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles, and others in the years following the destruction of the first Death Star and it continued at least through the end of the Empire. This means that the most likely place for a Rogue Squadron movie is probably actually during the original trilogy, which would make it the first movie to take place concurrently with another film.

However, we could just as easily see the film take place post-Return of the Jedi which would also make it the first big screen adventure to be set in between the original and sequel trilogies. We've seen this era in The Mandalorian, but not from the New Republic's perspective. which could make for an interesting story.

Who Will Be In Rogue Squadron (The Characters)?

Nearly every Star Wars movie ever made has been a true ensemble piece. While the stories of people named Skywalker tend to be the ones that get the most attention, there are always other stories happening that are, if not as important, still key to the overall story. Rogue Squadron would seem likely to be an ensemble story as well, but one of a different sort, where all the characters are dedicated to the same objective. There may be a single character who will act as the main protagonist, but more than likely, based on the name of the movie, the core fighter squadron will all share the story, which leads to the question, what will they be like?

Will they all be human? Will we get our first aliens that are real main characters in a Star Wars movie? Could our "main" character, assuming there is one, actually be a non-human? Will characters like Wedge or Luke play a part or will this be an entirely new cast of pilots?

Who Will Be In Rogue Squadron (The Actors)?

Whoever we get as characters in the film, they will -- CGI performances notwithstanding -- need to be played by actual actors. We haven't any idea what sort of cast could be considered. The major question, however, isn't what big names might be considered for roles, but whether or not big name actors will be considered at all. Generally, the main cast of the Star Wars movies have been made up mainly of actors that are not well known. Will that be the case with Rogue Squadron as well, or will we see some A-list stars joining Patty Jenkins crew of pilots?

Of course, as mentioned above, a Rogue Squadron movie could potentially include the likes of Luke Skywalker or Wedge Antilles. Could we see them played by new actors, or with some CGI assistance? That bridge has already been crossed, so it certainly could happen.

What Kind Of Movie Will Rogue Squadron Really Be?

In the announcement video for Rogue Squadron that stars Patty Jenkins, the director talks about the desire that she's had, for years, to make an epic, exciting, fighter pilot movie. Rather than make a more traditional combat movie, Jenkins will make her movie in the galaxy far, far away, but will that ultimately change the way Jenkins' fighter pilot movie comes across? Will Rogue Squadron really feel like a traditional Star Wars movie as we have known them, or will it feel more like a "war movie?"

The Marvel Cinematic Universe movies are all superhero films, but they have done a good job of at least dipping their toe into other genres, like making Ant-Man a classic heist movie or Captain America: The Winter Soldier an espionage thriller. Will Rogue Squadron feel like a fighter pilot movie that happens to be set in the Star Wars galaxy, or will it be a Star Wars movie that happens to be about pilots. There's a difference.

Will Rogue Squadron Be A New Franchise?

The Star Wars sequel trilogy was, whatever you think of the films themselves, a massive box office success. In fact nearly everything named Star Wars tends to be quite popular. However, the last movie outside of the trilogy, Solo: A Star Wars Story, is the closest thing the franchise has seen to a flop, and the fact that Lucasfilm put the brakes on movies after that is somewhat telling. So what exactly is the plan for the first big movie after the trilogy ended? Is this a new stand alone story, or is this the beginning of a new franchise?

Of course, the film's ultimate success, or lack thereof, will likely determine that, but one has to assume Lucasfilm already has thoughts in that regard. Will this script be written with an ending that makes a second film possible, or will it be written in a way that makes a second film necessary? With Patty Jenkins apparently sharing her time between Star Wars and Wonder Woman, she might not be entirely available to helm future installments, which is not to say others might not take up the reins.

Who Wrote Rogue Squadron?

We know that Patty Jenkins is directing Rogue Squadron and the fact that Lucasfilm has announced the movie at all, including its name and director, means that the studio is confident that this movie will happen, but one key piece of information that we are, so far, lacking, is who is writing the screenplay. Patty Jenkins has been intentionally vague on the topic of the writer, which seems to make it clear she's not handling the screenplay. So if not her, then who?

We know that the Star Wars movie being written by Taika Waititi is a separate project, so it isn't him. Could Rogue Squadron be the Star Wars project Rian Johnson was writing? He's the only other person that Lucasfilm has officially announced as writing any Star Wars movies, so it's possible. There's been no confirmation that Johnson's Star Wars project was dead, but neither has there been any news on it. Of course, it could just as easily be anybody else. Considering how far out the movie itself will be, the script likely isn't done, so Lucasfilm may simply be waiting to announce the writer until the studio is sure it's happy with the script.

Will Rogue Squadron Connect To Disney+'s Star Wars Series?

While the first batch of shows aren't even out yet, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is fully embracing a method of storytelling that combines theatrical films with regular series. We know, for example that the actress playing Ms. Marvel on Disney+ will appear on the big screen in Captain Marvel 2 as well. And so, one has to wonder if Disney is looking to recreate that success with their other blockbuster franchise. Could we see characters introduced in Rogue Squadron appear on a Disney+ series, or vice versa?

At the moment, all the Disney+ live-action Star Wars series are set in the same post-Return of the Jedi time period, and so whether Rogue Squadron will connect directly may depend largely on when the movie is set, and we don't know that yet. Of course, with Rogue Squadron still three years away, there's plenty of time for a new Star Wars series, or more than one, to get off the ground that might connect to this new story.

With Rogue Squadron still years away, we probably won't have answers to most of these questions for quite some time. Odds are even Disney and Lucasfilm don't know the answers to most of them. There will need to be a finished script before anybody will know what characters need to be cast, and nobody will be developing even a wish list of actors until there are roles for them to inhabit.

Still, it's exciting to even have a new Star Wars movie to look forward to at all. The franchise's life under Disney has clearly had some growing pains as it has attempted to find its footing. While the movies have all made big money at the box office, they haven't all been warmly received, leading to an intentional slow down of releases. Rogue Squadron will be Lucasfilm's attempt to show the audience what it has learned. What little we do know about Rogue Squadron makes it a movie worth looking forward to, even if we'll all be waiting until Christmas 2023 to actually see it.

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The DC Extended Universe ha a unique life in theaters, including both peaks and valleys. When the studio was still getting its footing, Patty Jenkins' 2017 blockbuster Wonder Woman proved exactly what the shared universe was capable of. She and Gal Gadot returned for Wonder Woman 1984, which had an unprecedented release in both theaters and HBO Max. Jenkins has been open on social media and interviews about her work on the sequel, and she recently shut down a rumor about a supposed feud with Warner Bros.

Patty Jenkins became a household name thanks to her work on the original Wonder Woman movie, going on to work on a TV series as well as her new gig directing Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. Fans were eager to see her dive back into the DCEU with 1984, but there were recent reports of the filmmaker's beef with the powers that be at Warner Bros. Now Jenkins has taken to social media to clear things up, posting:

And there you have it. While some outlets covered a story about a "war" between Patty Jenkins and the studio over Wonder Woman 1984, the filmmaker herself has seemingly put them to a rest. In fact, Jenkins went so far as to say she felt very supported by Warner Bros. when working on her pair of superhero movies.

Patty Jenkins' response to those Wonder Woman 1984 rumors comes from her personal Twitter, which she often uses to speak directly with DC fans out there. Jenkins has amassed a whopping 261K followers on the social media outlet, and she used this platform to shut down a rumor about what it was like working with Warner Bros. on her DC blockbusters.

Both Wonder Woman movies are currently available on HBO Max. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

This tweet by Patty Jenkins about the support she felt from the studio does make a great deal of sense. After all, Wonder Woman 1984 clocked in at 151 minutes upon its release. The story was a lengthy one, and Jenkins previously admitted that not many scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. So if there was a "war" there isn't any evidence of it in the film itself.

It should be interesting to see if/how Patty Jenkins' collaboration with Warner Bros. continues moving forward. As she mentioned she felt supported by the studio when making Wonder Woman 1984 and its predecessor, and fans are already hoping that a third movie is green lit. Additionally, Jenkins has also expressed interest in making an Amazon spinoff, allowing her to further delve into Diana Prince's homeland on Themiscyra.

Whatever future Wonder Woman plans Patty Jenkins has, they'll likely be put on the back burner as the 49 year-old filmmaker dives into the galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. This will mark the first Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker, and Jenkins seems like a great choice as director. Until then, DC fans will have to hope and wait for any word about the future of Diana Prince's life on the big screen.

Wonder Woman 1984 is in theaters and on HBO Max now. Be sure to check out our 2021 release list to plan your next movie experience.

Today, superhero movies are the most popular genre in Hollywood and it seems that every actor and director of note is either part of a major franchise, or rumored to be in talks to join one. Of course, there was a time when that wasn't necessarily the case. While superhero movies are almost always blockbusters that bring in an audience, there was a time when certain directors would have been seen as making movies outside that sphere, and Patty Jenkins was once one of those people.

In 2000, Patty Jenkins directed Charlize Theron to an Academy Award in her role as a serial killer in Monster. In a recent appearance on Mark Maron's WTF podcast, the director reveals that following Monster she was offered a slew of films about women, but that she made it clear what she wanted to do was actually to make a superhero movie. Jenkins says this idea "confused" people...

It's not all that surprising. The year 2000 was when the first X-Men movie was released and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man wouldn't hit until 2002. Comic book movies were certainly on an upswing, but they weren't the all-encompassing genre that they are today. Plus, Patty Jenkins had just made her name at the Oscars. It wouldn't have been shocking to see the director look for future films that might be considered awards darlings.

Instead, she wanted to make a superhero movie. She initially got her chance when Marvel asked her to helm the sequel to Thor. She says she's grateful that the studio asked her considering the project didn't need a woman in the director's chair. Interestingly, however, the reason Jenkins left that project did have a lot to do with her being a woman. She says she knew the story of Thor 2, which became Thor: The Dark World wouldn't work, and she also knew that if she directed it, it would harm her future prospects in a way that it wouldn't for a male director.

In the end, Patty Jenkins would find Wonder Woman and it would all work out. Wonder Woman 1984 is now available on HBO Max and in theaters.

Every now and then, the world of comic book movies needs its own set of heroes, especially when they’re people like Wonder Woman 1984 co-writer/director Patty Jenkins and Thor: Raganrok director Taika Waititi. With Jenkins delivering a resounding hit when the DCEU needed it, and Waititi reviving the middling Thor franchise, both creatives can be seen as kindred spirits in their approaches to their respective four panel backlots. It’s a scenario that’s even more interesting to contemplate after reading Patty Jenkins thoughts on Thor: Ragnarok, which praise the film for that innovative spirit.

Fresh off of the debut of Wonder Woman 1984, which shares somewhat of the lighter tone when contrasted against Wonder Woman, Jenkins picked the right time to discuss the 2017 MCU fan favorite. Appearing on WTF with Marc Maron, that comparison was drawn in more specific terms that signal how she can appreciate a good key change in the tonal language of a comic franchise. Patty Jenkins raved about Thor: Ragnarok during her interview as follows:

While the first two Thor films were by traditional definition successful films, they weren’t the sort of home run hits that the Marvel Cinematic Universe grew to expect. Chris Hemsworth’s portrayal of the lead character still endured through other entries in the Infinity Saga, and became beloved by fans; but it wasn’t until Thor: Ragnarok that his individual franchise landed a massive hit. And as Patty Jenkins acknowledged, it was all thanks to the off-kilter wit and colorful talents that Taika Waititi brought from his own comedic background into the world of Thor.

It’s that sort of approach that feels dominant even in Patty Jenkins’s own work as of late. With an opening and set-pieces that harken back to the classic days of Richard Donner and Richard Lester’s Superman films, Wonder Woman 1984 underwent a slight course correction and turned into a film that was more about love than war. Even thinking back to the colorful marketing campaigns that both Thor: Ragnarok and this particular film have employed to sell their wares at a theater near you just hammers home the fact that Jenkins’s appreciation of Waititi’s work is truly game recognizing game.

What’s even more exciting is both Patty Jenkins and Taika Waititi are heading off into the Star Wars universe, as the two directors have landed crucial installments that are intended to help enrich the post Skywalker Saga landscape in that galaxy far, far away. If their future is as bright as their past, we might see a totally different Star Wars coming down the road. But for now, you can enjoy Patty Jenkins’ latest adventure two different ways, as Wonder Woman 1984 is playing in a theater near you, and on HBO Max until January 24th.

Wonder Woman 1984's journey to the big screen was no easy feat. With numerous delays and a pandemic to contend with, some fans probably felt like they’d never get a chance to see the movie. But despite all these obstacles, Wonder Woman 1984 has already hit a major box office milestone -- and director Patty Jenkins was quick to thank fans for their support.

Deadline recently reported that Wonder Woman 1984 had officially banked $100 million at the worldwide box office. Patty Jenkins shared the article with her followers on Twitter, along with a grateful message:

Patty Jenkins’ tweet is a perfect reminder of numerous factors that went into Wonder Woman 1984’s chaotic release. Originally scheduled to hit theaters in June, it was pushed back to due to COVID-19. Eventually, Warner Bros. chose to release the movie simultaneously at movie theaters worldwide and on HBO Max.

According to Deadline, the bulk of the revenue came from countries outside the United States and Canada, where more than half of movie theaters are currently shut down. While the US is still seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, other parts of the world have been able to get the pandemic under control. In those places, it’s much more common for fans to head to movie theaters.

In pointing out that fans are renting out theaters in order to view the film safely, she’s highlighting this unique scenario while also subtly advocating for the continued existence of movie theaters. This has become a hot topic since Warner Bros. announced they will be releasing several high-profile projects on streaming platforms this year.

Patty Jenkins has also been open about how Wonder Woman 1984’s release strategy will affect the film’s success from a financial standpoint. She said that they had to make the decision to “give up the money” in order to make sure the film could be enjoyed by fans. In truth, the numbers are telling: in 2017, Wonder Woman made over $100 million in its first weekend in the United States alone.

Still, cracking $100 million worldwide in the midst of a pandemic that has shuttered movie theaters and kept fans at home is nothing to scoff at. Wonder Woman 1984 has also seemingly done impressive numbers in its streaming run -- a good sign that the film found an audience outside of movie theaters as well.

It’s hard to guess what the world will look like if and when Wonder Woman 3 premieres -- but it seems likely that no matter what, there will still be plenty of fans ready and waiting to support it.

Wonder Woman 1984 is not the first high-profile Hollywood project to bring the 1980s back into the (neon green) limelight. However, some fans have wondered if it makes the most of the era it’s set in, especially where some of our most beloved ‘80s artifacts are concerned. Now that Wonder Woman 1984 is finally available in theaters and on HBO Max, director Patty Jenkins has been answering some of fans’ biggest questions -- including whether or not she thinks it’s '80s enough.

Wonder Woman fans know that a huge stretch of time passes between the first film and the 2020 sequel. Diana Prince trades in her World War I-era duds for some decidedly more fabulous fashion -- and she also has to battle a much different set of cultural issues. There’s no denying Wonder Woman 1984 reflects the year it’s set in -- the fashion, technology, and backdrop are all undeniably ‘80s. Still, Patty Jenkins’ definitely didn’t lean into the ‘80s aesthetic in the way some may have expected -- and she told Syfy Wire that this was a conscious decision:

There’s an understandable logic behind Patty Jenkins’ decision to not lean too much into the ‘80s vibes. If you go too hard in that direction, then the experience of watching the movie becomes more about picking out all the pop culture references and less about following the story.

As it is, fans have spent a lot of time dissecting Wonder Woman 1984’s developments, as well as what works and what doesn’t. The film has been praised by critics and seems to be holding up well among many DC fans, if its Rotten Tomatoes audience score is any indication.

Despite the challenges that have come from getting Wonder Woman 1984 in front of fans, it seems as though Wonder Woman 3 is indeed in the works. Should the movie go forward, it looks like we’ll be meeting Diana in the present day once more. That means she’ll be leaving the 1980s behind -- though given the recent nostalgic resurgence in interest in fashion and music from that time period, perhaps we won’t see too much of a change on screen.

Did you think Wonder Woman 1984 was ‘80s enough? What would you have liked to see that didn’t make it into the movie? Let us know in the comments!

Like so many superhero movies, while the recently-released Wonder Woman 1984 told an original story, it pulled from decades of source material, with the titular protagonist having debuted in 1941’s All Star Comics #8. As such, along with William Moulton Marston being credited as Wonder Woman’s creator, Wonder Woman 1984, which was directed and co-written by Patty Jenkins, also thanked various other creators who’ve worked on the superheroine over the years, including George Pérez, Alex Ross and Nicola Scott. However, artist Liam Sharp, who’s worked on both Wonder Woman and Cheetah in the comics in recent years, was not listed in the credits.

Liam Sharp addressed being left out of Wonder Woman 1984’s “thank you list” on social media, noting how he was the primary artist on Wonder Woman’s Rebirth run, in which Barbara Minerva, a.k.a. Cheetah, was featured heavily. Eventually this absence caught the attention of Patty Jenkins, who issued the following apology to Sharp:

To be clear, the Rebirth era of the Wonder Woman comic book did influence Wonder Woman 1984, as evidenced by writers Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott, who collaborated on that run’s earliest issues, being listed in the credits. According to Patty Jenkins, Liam Sharp being left off the list was an error, and she was indeed thankful for his work on Cheetah in particular. Sharp thanked Jenkins in a follow-up tweet for clearing up that this was an oversight, as well as expressed appreciation for “all the kind feedback” he received on Twitter.

Although the original version of Cheetah, whose real name is Priscilla Rich, debuted in 1943’s Wonder Woman #6, the Barbara Minerva incarnation wasn’t introduced until 1987’s Wonder Woman #7. That said, since being created by George Pérez and Len Wein, Barbara has become the principal person to hold that mantle, with recent tellings of her origins having her originally start out as one of Diana Prince’s friends, but then becoming the heroine’s enemy after being corrupted by power. That dynamic is on full display in Wonder Woman 1984, with Kristen Wiig playing the DCEU’s Barbara.

Warning: SPOILERS for Wonder Woman 1984 are ahead!

In the DCEU continuity, Barbara Minerva’s supervillain journey began when she wished upon the Dreamstone to be like Diana Prince, her new friend. As a result, she became more confident and strong, but it came at the cost of losing her kind heart. However, it wasn’t until Barbara expressed her desire to Maxwell Lord to become an apex predator later in Wonder Woman 1984’s story that she transformed into The Cheetah.

Once Maxwell Lord relinquished the power of the Dreamstone, Barbara Minerva reverted back to her human form, although it was unclear if her original personality also returned or if she still had an axe to grind with Gal Gadot’s Diana. Because Wonder Woman 3 is expected to be set in the present day, it’s hard to say if we’ll see Barbara again, but for now, Kristen Wiig’s performance has been one of Wonder Woman 1984’s chief sources of praise.

We here at CinemaBlend will keep you apprised on how both Wonder Woman 3 and the Amazons spinoff are coming along. In the meantime, keep track of other DC movies in development with our handy guide.