Last year, we heard a bit about “TheDeadpoolEffect” following the surprise success of the R-rated superhero movie. The film’s success likely made Fox more bullish on the prospects forLogan, and producers started being asked more often if they would pursue R-rated superhero projects now thatDeadpoolshowed you could have a hit superhero movie without a PG-13 rating. There werefresh developments onLobo, anR-rated “Ultimate Version”ofBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and it looks like R-rated superhero movies, while not an overwhelming part of the marketplace, are here to stay.
Earlier this week,Wonder Womanout-grossedDeadpoolat the domestic box office. It’s alsoholding better than any superhero moviein the last15 years.And yet, surprisingly, there’s been no talk of a “Wonder WomanEffect”. In light of a massive female-led superhero film, studios have responded with…almost nothing. In light of one of the biggest blockbusters of the year being helmed by a female director, studios have responded with…almost nothing.Wonder Womanshould be a game-changer, and yet its success is largely being treated as an anomaly rather than a new frontier.
Keep in mind, there are plenty of female superheroes out there. Wonder Woman may be the most well known, but asIron Manproved, name-recognition isn’t a barrier if the film is good and well-received. While Marvel likes to play its future movies close to the vest and doesn’t jump just because other series have success, it’s still surprising that right nowCaptain Marvelremains the only female-led superhero film on the studio’s slate. What’s more surprising is that during the press tour forSpider-Man: Homecoming, producerKevin Feigewas getting inundated with questions aboutAvengers: Infinity Warwhile no one was really pressing him on howWonder Woman’s success changes the calculus for female-led superhero movies, even though Feige has the keys to hundreds of Marvel superheroines.
Even Warner Bros. seems like it’s dragging its feet a bit. To their credit, they’ve got aBatgirlmovie in development as well asGotham City Sirens(although to be honest, I think aBatgirlmovie fromJoss Whedonhas a lot more potential than aSuicide Squadspinoff fromDavid Ayer), but again, there’s a much deeper roster of characters ready for films. One could argue that the studio is being cautious because they’re sharing characters with the DC TV universe, but that’s not stopping them from making aFlashmovie. So why should it stop them from makingSupergirlorBirds of Preywith Black Canary and Huntress? Why not make a heist film featuring Catwoman?
There’s so much room for other studios to chase Wonder Woman’s success, and yet it seems like they’re dragging their feet. What’s more upsetting is that we haven’t seen studios look at the success of directorPatty Jenkinsand realize there’s a gigantic pool of talented female directors ready to take on blockbuster properties. Where’sLesli Linka Glatter’s film? Where’sJennifer Kent’s film? Where’sKaryn Kusama’s film? The talent is out there, but studios aren’t making any changes.
The only noticeable changes in the superhero genre (and why I said “almostnothing”) is that Sony is moving forward on theSpider-Manuniverse movieSilver & Black, which will feature female characters Silver Sable and Black Cat withGina Prince-Bythewood(Beyond the Lights) directing. While that movie has its work cut out for it (I’m still not sure how Sony is going to manageSpider-Manspinoffs without Spider-Man), I’m at least glad that the studio is moving forward with female superheroes and female directors. Additionally, you haveReed Morano(The Handmaid’s Tale)set to directBlake Livelyin a spy thriller, andLucy Liuishelming the Season 2 premiereforLuke Cage. Progress is being made, but at nowhere near the level one would expect whenWonder Womanhas been such a massive success.
It’s worth noting that studios might want to make some big announcements at D23 and Comic-Con, and that perhaps this article is premature, in which case I will be among the first to celebrate studios moving forward with female-driven properties from female directors. It’s also worth noting that Warner Bros. has slowed down development a bit, realizing that in their haste to catch up to Marvel, they weren’t putting out a lot of good movies. It’s possible that when they announce their post-Aquamanplans, there will be more female superhero movies lined up.
Wonder Womanis a bona fide hit, and studios are always eager to chase the successes of other studios because it gives them a rationale on which they can base their decisions.Wonder Womanhas smashed open the door, and now it’s time to see who’s willing to walk through it.
