Ranking all the reasons to get hyped for ‘Wonder Woman 1984’

If you’ve got Marvel mania or you’re a dedicated member of the DC fandom, you’ll be stoked to know there’s one superhero from the DC Extended Universe preparing for an almighty comeback: Wonder Woman. It’s no surprise we’re getting a sequel, since the standalone Wonder Woman revival saw such success in 2017. Although Wonder Woman 1984 won’t be dropping until 2020, Warner Bros. Pictures has already roused our inner warriors with the release of some first-look production photos. Let’s jump aboard the hype train with a ranking all of the reasons to get excited for the movie’s release.

Gadot returns

Yes, Gal Gadot will be reprising her role as Wonder Woman. You could argue this is the most exciting news. But since we already knew this, we think it deserves to be at the top of this list to make way for more exciting updates.

Jenkins returns too

Patty Jenkins (who was at the helm for the first Wonder Woman) will also direct the sequel after having crafted the story and screenplay with Geoff Johns and Dave Callaham. In a tantalizing tease of the sequel, Jenkins described it as an enjoyable, fun movie which turns to some very big issues in the third act that aim to add profundity because that’s a formula that she really likes, and she likes the idea of taking somebody on a very solid, great journey but that arrives at a bigger question being answered. The finished film delivered on the fun tone while raising larger questions, yet it received mixed reviews overall. Jenkins’ involvement ended after DC Studios restructuring canceled the planned third film.

Wonder Woman’s got stiff competition

Captain Marvel arrived in 2019 while Wonder Woman 1984 opened in late 2020. Both projects achieved significant visibility for female-led superhero films at the time, even as external circumstances shaped their releases.

Wonder Woman, meet Javier

You’ll be pleased to know Narcos’s Pedro Pascal landed a role in the Wonder Woman sequel. His character details are being kept under wraps, but either way we have no doubt he will slay next to Gadot’s character.

A Cheetah never changes its Wiig

In Wonder Woman 1984, the titular character will be up against her comic book enemy Cheetah. You should also know the role of Cheetah will be filled by none other than comedy star Kristen Wiig (Downsizing). No doubt she’ll bring some lighthearted humor to the role.

First-look photos reveal Pine’s return

The first-look photos released by Warner Bros. reveal the movie will indeed feature the return of Chris Pine (Star Trek) as Diana’s love interest from the first film, Steve Trevor. The news we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived via some photos of Pine looking rather sheepish in some 80s getup. Speaking of which…

The sequel’s set in 80s America

Jenkins did a fantastic job portraying the WWI setting next to the lush hidden paradise of Themyscira in the first installment, so we can only imagine what she’s got in store this time round at a time when the turmoil between the United States and the Soviet Union is brewing. As Refinery29 pointed out, the logo clearly echoes George Orwell’s dystopian classic 1984, suggesting the film could well cover themes of authoritarianism and government control. Either way, this new setting and time frame will give the movie the chance to explore new ground and serve up a fresh batch of challenges for Wonder Woman to overcome. The finished story centered on the Dreamstone granting wishes amid 1980s consumerism and geopolitics. The visual style captured the vibrant, neon 1980s aesthetic.

Wonder Woman’s an important role model for women worldwide

The main reason we’re so excited about Wonder Woman’s return is that she’s an important role model for women worldwide. For years, female superheroes have taken a backseat to the male leaders, with 2017’s Wonder Woman being the first ever female-led superhero movie of the modern era. The character is a fresh, new cinematic protagonist who inspires audiences by breaking social norms and showing women can have just as much strength, determination, and confidence as their male counterparts. The 80s setting will make for the perfect time period, as Gadot’s character will be given the chance to excel as a woman in a male-centric world. Once again boys and girls will be shown the true value of her character. The future of justice begins with Wonder Woman! The character continued as an empowerment symbol across media and merchandise after release. Gadot’s portrayal reinforced global visibility for female strength and agency.

Box Office and Pandemic Release Context

Wonder Woman 1984 reached theaters and HBO Max simultaneously on December 25, 2020, after repeated delays tied to the pandemic. The worldwide gross of roughly 169.6 million dollars fell short of its reported 200 million dollar budget. The film posted the highest pandemic-era opening weekend domestically at the time, reflecting the unusual distribution landscape.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

The film earned a 57 percent Tomatometer score, with the consensus citing vibrant escapism amid sequel fatigue. Audience scores landed near 73 percent on major aggregator sites. Strong streaming numbers on HBO Max in late 2020 showed viewers still engaged with the material even when theatrical options narrowed.

Franchise Legacy and DCU Transition

Plans for a third Wonder Woman film with Gadot and Jenkins did not move forward after the 2022 DC Studios restructuring. A new Wonder Woman project entered development inside the rebooted DCU. An Amazon-focused series titled Paradise Lost also moved into active development, shifting the franchise’s immediate future away from a direct sequel.

Hans Zimmer Score and 1980s Aesthetic

Hans Zimmer returned to the franchise and supplied both new themes and callbacks to the original motifs. The production leaned into bright, excess-driven 1980s visuals and a tone of optimism that matched the era’s surface glamour. Reviewers singled out the score’s action cues and romantic passages as standout elements.