Last week it was reported Kristen Wiig (Ghostbusters) was in talks to star in Wonder Woman 2 as Diana’s nemesis, the Cheetah, but now director Patty Jenkins has come out and fully confirmed Wiig is the first new addition to the film.
Jenkins revealed the news on her Twitter page, saying “So incredibly lucky to welcome the sensationally talented Kristen Wiig to our Wonder Woman family. Can’t wait to finally work with one of my favorites. And SO excited by what we have planned.” She went on to include Cheetah in the hashtag, confirming Wiig will be facing off against Gal Gadot’s Diana in battle.
So excited to confirm the most thrilling news. Yes! It’s true! So incredibly lucky to welcome the sensationally talented Kristen Wiig to our Wonder Woman family. Can't wait to finally work with one of my favorites. And SO excited by what we have planned. #Cheetah!!! @GalGadot pic.twitter.com/Gn0jICiIAH
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) March 9, 2018
There have been several Cheetahs in the comics, but the one that will appear in the film is said to be the current one, Barbara Ann Minerva. She made her first appearance in 1987 and is a British archeologist who is granted the power of the cheetah by the ancient plant god Urzkartaga. The most recent run of the Wonder Woman comics in DC Rebirth by Greg Rucka and Liam Sharp saw Wonder Woman and Cheetah have an enlarged backstory where they used to be friends before Minerva was transformed and have an uneasy alliance as ‘frenemies’ in the present day.
Wonder Woman 2 is rumoured to take place in the 19080s during the Cold War. The film is set for release on November 1st, 2019, and sees Jenkins directing from a script she has written with DC’s Geoff Johns and Dave Callaham (The Expendables, Ant-Man).
