‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Director Patty Jenkins Finally Admits Why She Doesn’t Want to Work with Marvel

With both 2017’s Wonder Woman and forthcoming sequel Wonder Woman 1984, Patty Jenkins has proven herself a major creative force in modern superhero cinema. Yet, she said she doesn’t have any interest in tackling a DC Extended Universe team-up anytime soon. Moreover, Jenkins isn’t keen to jump to that other superhero franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Patty Jenkins at San Diego Comic Con | Charley Gallay/Getty Images for DC EntertainmentPatty Jenkins nearly directed ‘Thor: The Dark World’ for Marvel Studios

Ironically, Jenkins very nearly made her superhero debut within the MCU. In Phase 2, she was set to direct Thor: The Dark World. But in 2012, she left the project due to “creative differences,” and Marvel turned to Game of Thrones director Alan Taylor instead.

Most fans agree Thor: The Dark World is a weaker entry than most MCU movies. Yet, at the time, Jenkins’ exit stirred up some controversy on the Thor sequel. Star Natalie Portman was reportedly very unhappy with the directorial shake-up. And some fans speculate this affected her absence in Thor: Ragnarok.

Given Marvel Studios’ focus on the big picture, it’s easy to see why the project might not be appealing to Jenkins. The director seems more drawn to focused, intimate character stories than setting up what comes next. And in case there was any doubt why she doesn’t want to join the MCU, Jenkins set the record straight once and for all.

RELATED: ‘Wonder Woman’: Zack Snyder Had to Fight With Patty Jenkins for This ‘Tough’ Actress to Star

The filmmaker prefers how DC makes its superhero movies

The Wonder Woman movies are unique in the DCEU in that they are — at least so far — period pieces. By exploring World War I and the 1980s, Jenkins tells stories almost completely disconnected from the larger DCEU. Gal Gadot’s hero gives her the opportunity to have much more autonomy. And while Jenkins respects Marvel’s creative team, she balks at its process. 

“I really like the people who work there, but they want full control over their movies. The director is under control,” Jenkins told Premiere (via ComicBook.com). “But with Wonder Woman 1984, I think I did exactly what I wanted. And then, everything a superhero movie needs comes naturally to me: I love shooting great action scenes versus great sets. I really enjoy it.”

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the theatrical release of Wonder Woman 1984 was pushed from June 2020 to August 2020. But it sounds like audiences could have something special to look forward to. Unburdened by establishing Wonder Woman’s origin story, the sequel could take the character to even more exciting and completely new places.

RELATED: Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins on ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ New Release Date: Believe in ‘the Power of Cinema’

Patty Jenkins’ DC future is unclear beyond ‘Wonder Woman 1984’

Of course, Zack Snyder’s Justice League could be a sign of things to come. After the road to Justice League temporarily derailed the DCEU, the franchise turned to more self-contained solo projects like Aquaman and Shazam! But the Justice League Snyder cut could be the DCEU’s ticket back to shared universe storytelling.

If that’s the case, there’s a possibility Wonder Woman 3 will be forced to fit into that tapestry. Considering Jenkins’ aversion to shared universes, what approach the next Wonder Woman movie takes could affect her ties to the series. Will Warner Bros. be willing to keep Diana Prince siloed off from her fellow heroes? Or will Jenkins walk away from the character?