This isn’t even remotely news now, but Joss Whedon is no longer doing the Wonder Woman movie.
On the one hand, this is disappointing: I like Whedon’s style, and Wonder Woman could have been a fun movie. True, there would have been the inevitable “They cast who for the part?!?!” but that would probably happen anyway. Also, this completely crushes any remote hopes I had for Eliza Dushku taking the part.
On the other hand, it’s kind of a blessing. Whedon might be able to make the best Wonder Woman film, but Wonder Woman almost certainly wouldn’t be the best Joss Whedon film. The nature of a big-budget, mega-property film like this means that individual artistic vision takes a back seat to marketing and financial concerns. Just like Christopher Nolan on Batman Begins and Bryan Singer on X-Men and Superman: Good films, sure, but nowhere near the quality of their more independent and personal projects. There’s little doubt Wonder Woman would have turned out similarly: Probably with Whedon’s distinct touch, but altogether feeling like the product of a committee.
Studios say they want the quality and vision of a great filmmaker, but what they really want is someone who’ll stay on budget, do what they’re told, and produce a competent yet marketable film.
What this means, of course, is that Brett Rattner should probably be expecting a phone call any minute now.