Although Kristen Wiig is known mostly for her roles in comedy films and being a cast member on Saturday Night Live, she has shown a darker side in indie dramas such as The Skeleton Twins and Hateship, Loveship. But it’s still a (pleasant) surprise that she is reportedly in talks to play the villain in Wonder Woman 2.
Wiig is reportedly the top choice to play Cheetah in the highly anticipated sequel, which will pick up with Gal Gadot‘s Diana Prince in the 1980s during the cold war. Director Patty Jenkins, now officially signed on, has reportedly always had Wiig high on her list to play the villain and expressed interest to the actress before leaving to location scout for the film.
It’s unknown if Wiig is completely on board yet, but a recent meeting with top executives “began to move things in the right direction”.
Cheetah was created by William Moulton Marston in 1943 when she debuted in Wonder Woman #6. A number of comic book characters have taken on the Cheetah mantle in the comics, including Barbara Anne Minerva, which is reportedly who the film will focus on. She’s an archeologist and heiress who leads an expedition to Africa where she stumbles upon a ritual that gives her the powers of a cheetah god.
Wiig is always a dynamic presence on screen whether she’s doing comedy or not, and would surely be a more memorable villain than David Thewlis‘ forgettable turn in the first film. The idea of Wonder Woman 2 being the first superhero film to contain both a female protagonist and antagonist is also exciting as the franchise continues to break new ground in Hollywood.
We’ll wait and see if Wiig does indeed sign on. Wonder Woman 2 hits cinemas November 1, 2019.
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