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Writer's pictureAnnie Banks

'Wonder Woman 1984' Doesn't Fully Mean to Reference Trump, But Does

Wonder Woman stands as a symbol of peace, justice, and truth, it's interesting for Wonder Woman 1984 to step away from political overtones of just that while addressing modern and past issues in society. Director Patty Jenkins claims otherwise, as she says that the next installment in the DC Extended Universe isn't intended to be political - or about Donald Trump.

Comics have always been a political form of fiction, translating hot-button issues and slipperly-slope topics through a softened, more appealing medium. From Captain America to the X-Men, from Superman, andThe Watchmen, comic books have always circulated around some variation of unrest. It's a bit disappointing to hear that Jenkins won't be using her platform to fully speak out through the mouthpiece of Diana Prince, otherwise known as Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot.

Wonder Woman 1984 has been caught up in pandemic delays, with fingers still firmly crossed for an October 2 release, though Warner Brothers Studios advise for fans not to hold their breath and to expect another postponement, even with DC FanDome around the corner.

Jenkins had admitted that there was no true or explicit decision to make her next film political as we reunite with the nominal heroin and Steve Trevor (Chris Pine). Joining them on their second adventure will be Pedro Pascal as Lord, and Kristin Wiig as Cheetah, whose full look has still yet to be seen on-screen.

Pascal's character, Lord, whose character will be a new addition to the DCEU, follows his comic origins as a powerful businessman. In an interview with Screenrant, Jenkins was asked about any influence being drawn from Trump.

"[Trump] is one of [the influences]. I mean honestly, the funny thing is he is [an influence], but I'm not trying to make [it]. We even have the president in this movie, and I've gone out of my way not to make it look like Ronald Reagan. I don't want to get political, it's not about being political. Actually, the huge influence of this movie was also Madoff. Those young Madoff stories fascinate me, because I'm like, ‘How do you end up being Bernie Madoff?’ And when you really start tracking that story, it's like, it all started out in a way that made sense, and he was paying it off, and then doing this, and then paying it off again. And then you just become an evil dude when you don't even realize that it's happening." She then went on further, elaborating on her statement and applying it to context for Wonder Woman 1984 and how this character would be woven into her vision.

"Trump's definitely one of the people that we looked at, but it's any of those [types] of mavericks of business success that was big in the ‘80s. Who went on to be major players in our world in potentially questionable other ways. Yeah, I don't have an agenda to have a political message to send to the world, but I think that the world all needs the same political message. Everybody needs to look at themselves right now, and our politics, our belief system of excess."

Taking in the consideration of the time frame of the film, the era it places itself in, and how the director will tip-toe around the current political climate from a modern stance, it's logical to question how contemporary the movie will be. Seeing that Jenkins nor Warner Brothers have been too vocal about the plot so soon to potential release, there's no telling what could be expected from Pascal's Lord on-screen, and how true to the influential inspiration he may land.


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