DC Comics and Warner Brothers are reportedly developing a Wonder Twins live-action film at HBO Max, with Adam Sztykiel being hired to write and direct the project. Sztykiel is no stranger to the DC Universe, as he has recently co-written the screenplay for Dwayne Johnson anti-hero movie Black Adam, which is currently scheduled to arrive this summer.
Sztykiel’s other work includes comedies Project X, Due Date, and We’re The Millers, along with another Johnson film – Rampage. He recently wrote the screenplay for the Scooby-Doo franchise reboot Scoob!, which was for Warner Animation Group and likely helped get him on their radar.
The Wonder Twins are a pair of quirky alien siblings named Zan and Jayna. They’re best known for their introduction in Hanna-Barbera’s The All-New Super Friends Hour where the young heroes acted as counterparts to established heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Arguably in an attempt for the 80s cartoon show to skew towards an even younger demographic.
The duo also appeared in the Super Friends comics before being introduced in the DC Universe proper in their own various comic book lines. They have also appeared on shows like Smallville, Teen Titans Go!, and The Flash.
They’re best known for their catchphrase “Wonder Twins power, activate!”, which sees Jayna turn into an animal, and Zan disappointingly turn into various forms of water. In fact, the duo have often been the butt of jokes within the comic book world, so this is likely an attempt to rebrand them and introduce their new, cooler form to a whole new generation.
Nothing is known about the plot of the film yet, but with the DC Universe leaning into comedy in projects like The Suicide Squad, Doom Patrol, and Peacemaker, the Wonder Twins and their quirky personalities should fit right in. Which makes Sztykiel’s background in comedy even more valuable.
The twins join Batgirl as the latest DC film to receive the straight-to-HBO Max treatment. As with any superhero project nowadays, there will no doubt be plenty of hand-wringing over who gets cast, who directs, etc. So we’ll wait and see who is eventually announced to be coming aboard.
#Peace.Love.WonderTwins
