Movies

WONDER WOMAN 2 Casts Kristen Wiig as Cheetah

by Eric Diaz
Mar 1 2018 • 4:21 AM

What with the sequel to director Patty JenkinsOpens in a new tab’ blockbuster hit Wonder WomanOpens in a new tab heading into production this coming summer, we’re beginning to hear scattered rumors about what the new film will look like. In a surprise bit of casting no one predicted, according to DeadlineOpens in a new tab, actress Kristen WiigOpens in a new tab is in talks for the role of the CheetahOpens in a new tab, considered by many to be Wonder Woman’s most well known adversary. This news comes after the recent revelationOpens in a new tab that Cheetah could become the main villain for the sequel.

UPDATE, 3/9/18 – On Friday morning, director Patty Jenkins herself officially confirmed that Kristen Wiig would be joining the DC Extended Universe to play archvillain Cheetah in Wonder Woman‘s developing sequel. Jenkins hit Twitter with the following message:

This may be bad news for Themyscira, but it’s great news for us!

3/1/18 – According to the original report, it appears that Wiig was always close to the top of Jenkins’ short list for the role, and that Jenkins had let Wiig know she wanted her for the part before the director had begun scouting locations for the Cold War-era sequel. Although many fans were hoping that Charlize TheronOpens in a new tab might be playing the Cheetah (makingthe connection due to the actress’ previous Oscar-winning work in Patty Jenkins’ Monster), it now looks like it’s Wiig’s role to lose.

Although in the original DC ComicsOpens in a new tab it’s safe to say that Ares is Wonder Woman’s main villain, the larger pop culture scene has catered to the perception that Cheetah is  Diana’s #1 foe, thanks to her role in the classic Super FriendsOpens in a new tab cartoon series and in several other animated offerings.

There have been several versions of the character over Wonder Woman’s 75-year history. The first Cheetah was Priscilla Rich, a criminal suffering from a fictionalized split personality disorder who wore a cheetah print cat costume when committing crimes, similar to Catwoman. Her niece, Debbie Domaine, inherited the name and costume decades later.

The most popular version of the character—and the one said to be used in the upcoming film—is Dr. Barbara Minerva. This version of the Cheetah was a top-to-bottom reinvention of the character by George PerezOpens in a new tab for Wonder Woman’s mid ’80s reboot. Minerva was an archaeologist who learned about an ancient cat god while on a dig in Africa. She became the host body for this ancient god, but the ritual that transformed her into a were-cat practically crippled her in her human form. The later DC RebirthOpens in a new tab version of Cheetah added a new wrinkle to her backstory by making her a former friend of Diana’s.

Although Wiig is know primarily as a comedic actress thanks to her work on SNL and in films like BridesmaidsOpens in a new tab and Ghostbusters,Opens in a new tab she’s landed several dramatic acting parts too, like her turn in The MartianOpens in a new tab and most recently, Mother!Opens in a new tab Although it seems at first like an offbeat choice, she could definitely nail this role under Jenkins’ direction.

What do you think of Kirsten Wiig potentially taking her claws out on Gal GadotOpens in a new tab in the Wonder Woman sequel? Be sure to let us know what you think down below in the comments.

Images: DC Comics / Warner Brothers / Sony 

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