Patty Jenkins isn’t ready to hang up the Lasso of Truth just yet.
The director, who helmed both the blockbuster Wonder Woman and its polarizing sequel Wonder Woman , is officially sparking conversation about a potential return to the DC Universe. Despite a massive leadership overhaul at DC Studios, Jenkins is making it clear that her love for Diana Prince hasn’t faded.
During a recent press chat, Jenkins dropped a bombshell when asked if she’d ever collaborate with the new regime, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Playing it coy but confident, she teased, “You never say never because I love Wonder Woman.”
The comment has sent social media into a tailspin. While Jenkins mentioned she is currently enjoying her work on other projects, industry insiders suggest this “never say never” attitude is a strategic move to keep her name attached to the character she helped define.
The timing is particularly juicy given that James Gunn is currently hard at work “rebooting” the entire DC slate. Just a year ago, it seemed Jenkins was effectively “evicted” from the franchise when her plans for a third film were scrapped during the studio’s massive restructuring.
However, Jenkins’ legacy at DC is a tale of two very different box office stories. Her first outing was a $ million home run that turned Gal Gadot into a global icon and redefined the female superhero genre.
In contrast, the sequel, Wonder Woman , struggled significantly. While it faced the uphill battle of a mid-pandemic release, it was also hit with critiques regarding its lengthy runtime and tonal shifts. The “cleanup job” that followed led to the cancellation of Wonder Woman , leaving Jenkins as a casualty of the new DC era—until now.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok are deeply divided over the prospect of her return. “James Gunn, please do not do this,” one fan pleaded online. “We need a total reboot with no ties to the old mess.” Others, however, remain loyal to the magic Jenkins captured in the first film, hoping for a redemption arc.
Meanwhile, the DC machine is already moving forward. Writer Ana Nogueira has been tapped to pen a Supergirl film, and the prequel series Paradise Lost—set on Themyscira long before Diana’s birth—is currently in development.
Names like Alexandra Daddario and Adria Arjona have even surfaced in fan-casting circles as the studio looks for a “clean slate.” By speaking up now, Jenkins is effectively inserting herself back into a conversation that many thought was closed.
The biggest question mark remains Gal Gadot. The actress has remained largely quiet while her longtime collaborator does the talking. If Jenkins were to return in some capacity—perhaps as a producer—would Gadot follow? It’s a complicated puzzle for Gunn, who is reportedly looking for younger talent to lead his new vision.
Whether this is a genuine creative overture or a high-stakes game of PR chicken, one thing is certain: Patty Jenkins isn’t going into that good night without a fight. The ball is now in James Gunn’s court to decide if the future of Wonder Woman involves a blast from the past.
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