Patty Jenkins says that Warner Bros. initially hired her for Wonder Woman as a token female director, rather than for what she could bring to the film. During her time promoting Wonder Woman 1984, Jenkins has detailed the behind-the-scenes problems she has had with WB, including battling over the ending of 2017’s Wonder Woman. She also fought back against the studio’s suggestion to change the beginning of Wonder Woman 1984.
Jenkins pushed back and saw her vision through even though she was forced to tack on an ending that she didn’t necessarily envision. Wonder Woman went on to become one of the most successful films in the DCEU yet. The film was critically acclaimed and it is currently the third highest-grossing DCEU film, behind Aquaman and Batman vs Superman. Despite that, though, Jenkins almost didn't go on to make Wonder Woman 1984 because of a pay discrepancy.
Speaking to WTF with Marc Maron (via The Playlist) Jenkins detailed even more behind-the-scenes turmoil with WB. She says that the studio was not interested in what she could bring to the table. Rather, they wanted her on board simply because she was a woman directing a female-led superhero film. Jenkins says that the studio didn't even want to read her script - they wanted here merely as a symbolic figurehead, while other people (most likely men) did the work behind-the-scenes.
They wanted to hire me like a beard; they wanted me to walk around on set as a woman, but it was their story and their vision. And my ideas? They didn’t even want to read my script. There was such mistrust of a different way of doing things and a different point of view.
It's a shame to hear that WB treated Jenkins this way early on in the process of her creating Wonder Woman, not only because of the massive success it would become but because of Jenkins' history. Jenkins may have not had any blockbuster experience when she entered the DCEU, but she knew how to make a good movie. 2003's Monster, starring Charlize Theron, was her feature directorial debut. Theron went on to win Best Actress at the 2005 Academy Awards for the critically acclaimed film, which Jenkins also wrote. 2020 saw more Hollywood films directed by women than ever before, but it's clear the sexism that has run rampant in the industry will not just go away.
Still, Jenkins has gone on to prove to be a more than formidable director of blockbuster films. Despite Wonder Woman 1984's mixed reception, by all accounts, the film is a hit. The sequel had the most successful pandemic box office weekend yet and its launch on HBO Max saw millions of people watch it the day it was released. Disney clearly recognizes the director's talents - she will be the first woman to direct a Star Wars film when her upcoming Rogue Squadron hits theaters in December 2023. Wonder Woman was just the beginning for Jenkins and while it may have been a rocky start, Jenkins has gone on to become a Hollywood powerhouse that no one can doubt.
Source: WTF with Marc Maron (via The Playlist)
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