Wonder Woman 3: Patty Jenkins Wouldn't Return Without Theatrical Release

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Patty Jenkins says she would be very hesitant to direct Wonder Woman 3 movie unless it had a proper theatrical release. Wonder Woman 1984, the sequel to Jenkins’s massively successful original film, is set to release in theaters and on HBO Max on Christmas Day. Jenkins has been widely praised for her work on the franchise, which stars Gal Gadot in the titular role. Wonder Woman 1984 will also feature Chris Pine, Pedro Pascal, and Kristen Wiig.

After a string of middling-to-panned releases in the DCEU film franchise, Jenkins’s Wonder Woman finally delivered a hit when it released in 2017. The film was celebrated for making positive steps for gender equality both onscreen and behind the camera, but also for its strong writing, compelling characters, and stellar action. As the DCEU has continued to struggle for a foothold in its wake, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, has been hotly anticipated by fans. Though the split theater/streaming release it’s bound for isn’t quite what many had hoped, it’s also become the norm for blockbusters in the covid-19 era.

The promise of a proper theatrical release might be necessary for Jenkins to return for a third film, however. Speaking recently with The New York Times, the director discussed her work on the upcoming film, her career, and her perspectives on pay inequality for women in the film industry. When asked about the possibility of directing a third entry in the Wonder Woman franchise, Jenkins was hesitant to commit. “We’ll see what happens,” she said. “I really don’t know. I know that I’d love to do the third one if the circumstances were right and there was still a theatrical model possible. I don’t know that I would if there wasn’t.”



Unfortunately, a proper theater release in the future no longer seems like a sure thing, especially given that Wonder Woman is produced by Warner Brothers. The studio has come under fire in recent weeks for its announced plan to release all its major 2021 films for streaming on HBO Max on the same day as their theatrical debuts. That plan has drawn harsh criticism, both from filmmakers and from the theater owners whose industry is already struggling during the pandemic.

Jenkins has quickly become a major name in the field, and her voice on such issues certainly holds weight. Disney recently announced that she will make her Star Wars debut by directing the upcoming Rogue Squadron movie, which is planned to release in 2023. By then, COVID-19 will hopefully be just a bad memory, but the ramifications it’s had on the film industry could remain. Whatever Jenkins’s future holds regardless of Wonder Woman 3, fans will be able to enjoy her latest work when Wonder Woman 1984 releases on December 25th.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Release Date: Dec 25, 2020