'Wonder Woman 1984' Producer Says Film Is "Not A Sequel" But That Is Just Silly Word Play

Okay, what’s so bad about sequels? Honestly, there are some great sequels (“The Godfather Part II,” “T2: Judgment Day,” “The Dark Knight,” “Aliens,” etc…). However, there’s this idea that if something is a sequel then it must automatically be terrible. And it appears that the folks over at Warner Bros. are adopting that idea with their upcoming slate of superhero films. We already know that James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad” isn’t a sequel (and honestly, we’d also want to try to get away from the stink of David Ayer’s 2016 film, if we had the chance). Now, according to a DCEU producer, the upcoming “Wonder Woman 1984” isn’t a sequel, either. Say what?

Charles Roven, who has basically been involved in just about every modern DC superhero film, including ‘The Dark Knight’ Trilogy, recently spoke to Vulture and wanted to clear the air about ‘WW84,’ particularly stressing that Patty Jenkins’ second entry in the “Wonder Woman” franchise isn’t a sequel.

READ MORE: Warner Bros. Executive Talks Limiting The DC Film Continuity & Says The Superhero Films Are “On The Right Track”

“She was just determined that this movie should be the next iteration of ‘Wonder Woman’ but not a sequel,” Roven said. “And she’s definitely delivering on that. It’s a completely different time frame and you’ll get a sense of what Diana-slash–Wonder Woman had been doing in the intervening years.”

He continued, “But it’s a completely different story that we’re telling. Even though it’ll have a lot of the same emotional things, a lot of humor, a lot of brave action. Tugs at the heartstrings as well.”

The report even features a quote from a “source” close to production that said, “It’s a stand-alone film in the same way that ‘Indiana Jones’ or ‘Bond’ films are, instead of one continuous story that requires many installments.”

Not to be that guy (as I adjust my glasses), but when you look at the dictionary definition of “sequel,” it says, “a published, broadcast, or recorded work that continues the story or develops the theme of an earlier one.” So, by that logic, “Wonder Woman 1984,” “The Suicide Squad,” and yes, all the ‘Indiana Jones’ and James Bond films are, in fact, sequels.

READ MORE: ‘The Suicide Squad’: Here Are The Characters Reportedly Joining Idris Elba’s Deadshot In James Gunn’s DC Film

I think what Roven and Jenkins want everyone to know is that these films are stand-alone stories and don’t require a deep understanding of the DCEU to appreciate. That’s all well and good, but let’s not confuse film fans in the process, okay?

Here’s one thing we know about “Wonder Woman 1984.” The film is actually going to feature Chris Pine in a return to a franchise that featured him literally blowing up last we saw him. So, obviously, this is a plot point that will be resolved in the new film, which would connect it to the first film, which would make it a sequel.

READ MORE: James Gunn Reinstated As The Director Of Marvel Studios’ ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’ 

Semantics aside, I do understand the difference that Jenkins and Roven are trying to make. I just think it’s silly, and could be expressed in a different way. In the age of click-bait headlines and fans trying to read between the lines in interviews, the last thing we need is silly misinformation like this.

But I digress.

/rant