Nicolas Winding Refn Pitched Warner Bros. a WONDER WOMAN Movie Starring Christina Hendricks

When Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy came out, I'd often see stories about other possible Batman movies that were pitched between Batman & Robin and Batman Begins that never quite took hold or were rejected for various reasons. As we approach the upcoming release of the solo Wonder Woman movie next year, I'm sure we'll start to see stories like that pop up too — especially since the character hasn't received her own live-action solo film in her 75 year history. Joss Whedon famously pitched Warner Bros. his take on a movie about the Amazonian princess, and now it's been confirmed that five years ago, around the time Drive came out, director Nicolas Winding Refn also officially spoke with the studio about an idea for a Wonder Woman movie.

At the time, it was unclear if Refn was just speculating or answering off the cuff about a movie he'd like to direct one day, but on the Happy Sad Confused podcast to promote his new movie The Neon Demon, the director spoke about his would-be version of the film:

At one point, [Warner Bros.] did come to me in a very early conversation. I was like, "I love Wonder Woman, but I would only do it with Christina Hendricks."

Apparently the WB people didn't take to that particular idea, and obviously five years later they finally got their act together and cast Gal Gadot in a Wonder Woman solo film directed by Patty Jenkins. As much as I like Hendricks and I'm curious about what Refn's vision for the character would have been, I think it's important that the first incarnation of a live-action solo Wonder Woman movie comes from a woman's perspective because the character has been such an inspiring figure and has meant so much to women over the years. Once we get two or three films in, sure — I can imagine a male director putting his spin on it. But right now, it just feels right to have a Wonder Woman movie being directed by a woman. I'd say the same thing applies to Batgirl, which Refn is (jokingly?) trying to get off the ground at WB now.

What do you think?