Wonder Woman is one of the most enduring superheroes in popular culture. First introduced in comic books in 1941, the character has since appeared in television, animation, and blockbuster films. The 2017 movie Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot, brought the Amazon warrior to a new generation of audiences and became a defining entry in the DC Extended Universe.
The film tells the origin story of Diana of Themyscira, an Amazon princess who leaves her hidden island home to fight in World War I. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $820 million worldwide. A sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, followed in 2020.
This article covers the character’s biography, the cast and plot of the 2017 film, her powers, the sequel, and key facts about DC’s most iconic female superhero.
Who Is Wonder Woman? The Origin of Diana Prince
Wonder Woman at a Glance
- Real Name: Diana of Themyscira / Diana Prince
- First Appearance: All Star Comics #8 (1941)
- Actress (2017 film): Gal Gadot
- Key Powers: Superhuman strength, flight, combat skills, Lasso of Truth
- Creators: William Moulton Marston, H. G. Peter
Key Insights
- Wonder Woman is one of the most enduring DC superheroes, first introduced in 1941.
- The 2017 film starring Gal Gadot became a critical and commercial success, grossing over $820 million worldwide.
- Wonder Woman’s origin has multiple versions: originally sculpted from clay by Hippolyta and given life by the gods, later retconned as daughter of Zeus.
- The sequel Wonder Woman 1984 was released in 2020 and received mixed reviews.
- Gal Gadot’s portrayal is widely credited with redefining the character for modern audiences.
Quick Facts About Wonder Woman
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Debut | All Star Comics #8 (December 1941) |
| Alter Ego | Diana Prince |
| Home | Themyscira (Paradise Island) |
| Affiliation | Justice League, Amazons |
| Movie Debut | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) |
| Solo Film | Wonder Woman (2017), directed by Patty Jenkins |
In the DC Extended Universe, Diana’s full name is Princess Diana of Themyscira, with Diana Prince as her civilian name and Wonder Woman as her superhero identity. The 2017 film was designed to include Diana’s origin story and presents her as an Amazon warrior raised on the hidden island of Themyscira. The film’s version of her origin differs from the classic comic-book WWII setup: the movie places her first major mission during World War I. Sources describing the character in the broader Wonder Woman lore note that the comics originally gave her a clay-and-goddess creation origin, while later continuity and adaptations vary.
Diana is portrayed as an immortal Amazon warrior and, in DCEU descriptions, an Amazon warrior princess and demigoddess. DCEU character descriptions identify her as the daughter of Hippolyta and Zeus, which is the version of her divine parentage used in this continuity. The broader Wonder Woman character profile describes her as an Amazon-Olympian princess and warrior from Themyscira.
Who Plays Wonder Woman? The Cast of the 2017 Movie
Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot portrays Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in the 2017 film and its sequel. Gadot first appeared as the character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) before headlining her own solo film. Her performance was widely praised and helped establish Wonder Woman as a central figure in the DC Extended Universe.
Main Cast
- Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, the American pilot who crashes near Themyscira and brings news of the war.
- Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Diana’s mother and ruler of the Amazons.
- Robin Wright as Antiope, Diana’s aunt and the Amazons’ general.
- Danny Huston as Erich Ludendorff, a German general during World War I.
- David Thewlis as Sir Patrick Morgan / Ares, the god of war.
Additional Cast
Other notable cast members include Elena Anaya, Lucy Davis, Ewen Bremner, and Saïd Taghmaoui. Each contributed to the film’s depiction of the World War I setting and Diana’s journey.
Patty Jenkins directed the 2017 film, making it one of the highest-grossing superhero movies directed by a woman. The film’s success was a milestone for female-led superhero films.
What Is the Plot of Wonder Woman (2017)?
The Opening
The film opens with a modern-day frame involving Diana in Paris before shifting into a flashback to her upbringing on Themyscira. Diana is raised by the Amazons, who train for the eventual return of Ares, the war god.
The Call to Adventure
A pilot, Steve Trevor played by Chris Pine, crashes near Themyscira and tells Diana about the outside world and the war. Diana leaves the island with him and goes to the Western Front during World War I, where she confronts the human reality of conflict and the threat of Ares.
The Climax
The 2017 film follows her leaving home to fight a war and discovering her full powers and true destiny. The story culminates in a confrontation with Ares, who has been manipulating humanity from behind the scenes.
Unlike the traditional comic-book origin, which places Wonder Woman’s first major mission during World War II, the 2017 film relocates her debut to World War I, offering a fresh historical backdrop for her journey.
What Happened in Wonder Woman 1984?
Wonder Woman 1984 is the sequel to Wonder Woman (2017) and is the ninth film in the DCEU. It again stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman, with Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright, and Connie Nielsen. The sequel is set in 1984 during the Cold War and follows Diana and Steve Trevor as they face Maxwell Lord and Cheetah.
The film was released in the United States on December 25, 2020. It received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its performances and visual style.
The timeline of Wonder Woman’s appearances in the DCEU can be confusing. The 2017 film is set during World War I, while the sequel jumps to the Cold War era. The character also appears in Batman v Superman (set in the present day) before her solo film chronologically.
Wonder Woman: A Timeline of Key Events
- 1941 — First appearance in All Star Comics #8, created by William Moulton Marston.
- 1975–1979 — Wonder Woman TV series starring Lynda Carter airs.
- 2016 — Gal Gadot first appears as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman.
- 2017 — Solo film Wonder Woman released, directed by Patty Jenkins.
- 2020 — Sequel Wonder Woman 1984 released worldwide.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: Clarifying Common Misconceptions
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Gal Gadot is the actress who played Wonder Woman in the 2017 film and its sequel. | Whether Diana is a demigoddess (daughter of Zeus) or a golem created from clay varies between comic continuities. |
| The 2017 film is set during World War I. | The exact nature and extent of her powers have been retconned multiple times. |
| Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth forces anyone caught to speak honestly. | The timeline of her appearances in the DCEU versus the standalone films can be confusing. |
Analysis and Cultural Impact
Wonder Woman was created as a positive feminist role model during a time when female superheroes were rare. Her enduring popularity led to numerous adaptations. The 2017 film broke box office records for a female-directed superhero movie and was praised for its portrayal of Diana’s strength and compassion. The character’s shifting origin story reflects broader changes in DC Comics’ editorial direction and audience expectations.
Key Quotes and Authoritative Sources
“Wonder Woman is the most iconic female superhero of all time.”
— Patty Jenkins (director)
For further reading, consult the Wonder Woman character article on Wikipedia, the Wonder Woman (2017 film) article on Wikipedia, the official DC Comics character page, the DC Database wiki entry, and the Box Office Mojo page for the 2017 film.
What’s Next for Wonder Woman?
A third Wonder Woman film is reportedly in development, though details are unconfirmed. The character continues to appear in DC comic series and animated projects. Fans can explore other DCEU movies featuring Wonder Woman, such as Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. For more about the character’s cinematic journey, read the Diana Prince (DC Extended Universe) profile. To learn about the sequel, see Wonder Woman 1984.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wonder Woman’s real name?
Her birth name is Diana of Themyscira; she uses the alias Diana Prince.
Who plays Wonder Woman in the movies?
Gal Gadot portrays Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films.
Is Wonder Woman a goddess?
In some comic iterations, she is the daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta, making her a demigoddess. In others, she is a clay statue brought to life by the gods.
When was ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ released?
The film was released in the United States on December 25, 2020.
What are Wonder Woman’s powers?
She possesses superhuman strength, speed, durability, flight, combat skills, and the Lasso of Truth.
Who created Wonder Woman?
The character was created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter.
What is the Lasso of Truth?
It is a magical lasso that forces anyone caught in it to speak honestly.
Where is Themyscira?
Themyscira, also known as Paradise Island, is a hidden island home to the Amazons in DC Comics.
Is the 2017 film set in World War I or World War II?
The 2017 film is set during World War I, unlike the traditional comic origin which used World War II.
Who directed the 2017 Wonder Woman film?
The film was directed by Patty Jenkins.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.