WONDER WOMAN Director Patty Jenkins Talks Ares’ Motivation, Possible Sequel, and More

We’re a little over a month away from the release of DC Films’ Wonder Woman, and the marketing campaign is in full swing. Recently, director Patty Jenkins spoke with Toronto Sun about creating the superhero movie. During the interview, she shed some light on the big bad’s motivation, along with what she hopes to see in a sequel.

By now, it’s no secret that Ares is the main villain of Wonder Woman. Jenkins previously confirmed him, while we’ve seen him in toys based on the film. Now, she explains what Ares’ mission is. (Some potential MILD SPOILERS ahead.) “The villain just wants the war to continue. He’s infiltrated himself into the war and he’s leading a movement to create a type of mustard gas to keep the war going forever. He’s just a war monger and a classic character from Wonder Woman lore.”

Assuming the film is a success, Wonder Woman will likely spawn a new superhero franchise for Warner Bros. (even though a sequel hasn’t been confirmed yet). When asked what she’d like to see in a second movie, Jenkins shares her ideas for the story and setting. “I’m excited for her to come to America and become the Wonder Woman we are all familiar with from having grown up around her as an American superhero. I’d like to bring her a little farther along into the future and have a fun, exciting storyline that is its own thing. Wonder Woman 1 is so much about her becoming the person she is. I can’t wait to spring forward with who she is and have another great standalone superhero film.”

However, Jenkins says she has “no idea” when (or even if) Wonder Woman 2 will come, and she definitely doesn’t want it to be rushed. “These movies take a lot of time. If it’s successful, I think it would be a mistake just to try and speed it up to cash in. I don’t think that’s how great movies are made. So when it’s possible, it’ll happen.” Not to mention, WB/DC already has several films in development, with three films slated for 2019, two for 2020, and who knows how many more beyond that.

Jenkins goes on to talk about the multiple directors working in the DC Extended Universe, citing their different stories and tones. “I think there’s a lot of directors doing cool things. I know the storylines for a lot of the films they are working on and they are all vastly different, with very different tones and very different styles of storytelling. I think there’s a treasure trove of great characters here. Jason (Momoa) is off to shoot Aquaman right now and that’s such a cool story. It’s got its own separate vibe. I’m excited to see each of these films.” One of those directors is Joss Whedon, who recently signed on to write and direct Batgirl. Jenkins is “super” excited by the idea of Whedon joining the DCEU, saying, “The tone of Joss’ work is great for female superheroes. He takes such a fun approach and I think he’ll have fun in the DC universe, which will be excited to have him.”

For more from Patty Jenkins, where she talks about CGI vs. practical effects and why Wonder Woman absolutely had to be PG-13, click HERE.

Wonder Woman is scheduled to hit theaters June 2nd. The fourth installment in the DC Extended Universe stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Ewen Bremner, Saïd Taghmaoui, Elena Anaya, Lucy Davis, Lisa Loven Kongsli and Connie Nielsen. Patty Jenkins directs and co-wrote the script with Geoff Johns and Allan Heinberg.