He's got a date with an Angel... Chris Pine IS Steve Trevor!

[Axl Van Sixx]

Did you actually read the article though, Spidey? He doesn't seem doom and gloom at all about the DC movies, he's just making what I believe are some astute points about the gender politics of Hollywood and where this particular bit of casting news fits into it.

If anything, he's positively optimistic:

A halfway decent Wonder Woman movie, one that doesn’t compromise because of the gender of its superhero, will not only make a fortune at the box office but will earn Warner and its various licences untold bazillions in new merchandise sales. One way to do that is by not bending over backwards to make sure that its male love interest isn’t presented in the way we have grown accustomed to for female love interests. If The Hunger Games can be a mega smash with a somewhat demasculated love interest, then so too can Wonder Woman.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Listen I am always concerned about the representation of women in cinema and especially genre films. I have complained about many things regarding women's treatment in comic book films. In a general way of course I am "worried" about Wonder Woman's representation and the Steve is not going to be completely useless stuff is eye rolling but I'm not worried about that. Trevor can be as strong as possible as long as Wonder Woman focuses on Wonder Woman and makes her awesome and the hero of her own story. And no they better not sideline her in the finally or anything dumb like that.

I'm not a head in the sand person, if I hear troublesome stuff that's not bs rumors I will talk about it. The Steve Trevor is this or that stuff doesn't bother me really. I'm just going to wait for us to get some more info, I don't think that is unreasonable. If it bothers other people that's fine but I just want to see what's happening first before reading too much into something and getting up in arms about anything. I already did that with the Wonder Woman could be set in the past thing and I'm over it. I hope that it isn't set in the past but if it is I will give the setting a shot.

 

[Axl Van Sixx]

That's a good point - no sense in worrying about stuff we don't really know anything about (although given that the "no mere love interest" thing was quoted in the story from TheWrap, I thought it worth bringing up). In terms of how they could have a "strong love interest", feel like a good analogy might be Wonder Woman/Captain America and Steve Trevor/Peggy Carter.

That said, setting the movie in the past is a whole other can of worms. I really hope they don't do that. But I'll find the appropriate thread to voice my concerns.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

That's a good point - no sense in worrying about stuff we don't really know anything about (although given that the "no mere love interest" thing was quoted in the story from TheWrap, I thought it worth bringing up). In terms of how they could have a "strong love interest", feel like a good analogy might be Wonder Woman/Captain America and Steve Trevor/Peggy Carter.

That said, setting the movie in the past is a whole other can of worms. I really hope they don't do that. But I'll find the appropriate thread to voice my concerns.

It would be such a waste of Pine for it to be set in the past. Don't waste Pine!

I want to be clear that I do think that the "he won't be a mere love interest" stuff is sexism fueled and I totally get people being bothered by that line and the double standards. I am not trying to sweep that under the rug. That is a quote to appeal to the dudes in the audience and it's obnoxious but I just don't think that it should be blown out of proportion...yet. I know that's impossible to ask of the internet but lets hold the knives for a moment. lol

Personally I don't want any love interest to be completely useless regardless of gender and it would be odd for a military guy or girl to be as useless as a reporter like say Lois Lane during a crisis. Lois Lane should be a strong, intelligent and resourceful woman but lets not go outside of what the character actually is to prove some point that I might agree with. Trevor shouldn't be treated as super human either. He can't take on the threats that Wonder Woman can.

 

[Willi Berg]

Trevor can be as strong as possible as long as Wonder Woman focuses on Wonder Woman and makes her awesome and the hero of her own story. And no they better not sideline her in the finally or anything dumb like that.

Personally I don't want any love interest to be completely useless regardless of gender and it would be odd for a military guy or girl to be as useless as a reporter like say Lois Lane during a crisis. Lois Lane should be a strong, intelligent and resourceful woman but lets not go outside of what the character actually is to prove some point that I might agree with. Trevor shouldn't be treated as super human either. He can't take on the threats that Wonder Woman can.

Agreed.

And I want to see Pine tied to modern WW, Suicide Squad and the JL movies as well, not left behind in the past.

I am not really digging this WW trilogy idea that Faraci brought up, where we have to wait until the third movie to get to modern day. Even if true, he does say it was a "director or two ago" and WW has obviously gone through huge changes. Flashbacks would be great to see where WW has come from and how long her history is but I say let us not leave WW in the past for too long and lets bring her to present day and give us the modern WW we've been waiting for.

 

[DlAMONDZ]

That report bout him winning over Gal and Patty was on the money.

Trades> Master Scoopers

All day.

Lol seriously. That whole "he gets to choose" was a nice fallback doe not gonna lie. Lots of fanboys ate it up

I'd imagine the only actors that get to choose their roles at WB are guys like Ben

 

[NoLaNitE007]

I think that's because of the gender double standard though. Lois Lane, despite being one of the most famous female characters in comics, is still basically a love interest, the template for every female superhero love interest ever. So there was never any chance that Lois would had that kind of a "co-starring" role in what was first and foremost a Superman movie.

And while I hope I'm wrong, there's a chance we might see that double standard rear its head in Wonder Woman. The story from TheWrap that broke the news of Pine's casting noted (emphasis mine):

While actresses have to play the role of "love interest" all the time, Hollywood seems to have an aversion to showing a male actor in that same kind of reductive role. My worst fear would be similar to what happened in the film Insurgent, where Shailene Woodley's character, despite being the main protagonist of the Divergent series, is effectively sidelined while Theo James' character gets all the action and drives the story.

Granted, that's a worst-case scenario, but I wouldn't be surprised if they try to make Steve Trevor into something more than a "damsel in distress". I haven't read any of the ARGUS stories, but just speaking personally, I would be more interested in seeing a male character take on that role, rather than taking attention away from Gadot's Wonder Woman in a misguided attempt to appeal to young male audiences (as if it were impossible for them to root for a female action lead). Save the ARGUS stuff for sequels.

(Note: A lot of these points were made by Scott Mendelson in his typically excellent analysis of this casting news.)

You lost me by hating on ARGUS New 52 version of Steve Trevor and saying Mendelson always has excellent analysis?

 

[Willi Berg]

The ARGUS stuff could be saved for sequels or the Justice League anyway, since it is about when the JL is more established and Trevor is the liaison between the government and the League. The League would have to be established more and so would Trevor's relationship with WW.

But as for Trevor being a "damsel in distress" I have never even seen him portrayed that way in WW's origin stories. He was always that tough military guy, the "everyman" that guides us through the stranger aspects of WW and her world. In the 2009 animated movie, he is still the arrogant hotshot pilot, a little sexist, and it is through meeting WW that he changes. He then helps WW as she battles Ares. This doesn't take away from WW and the Amazons and what they do.

The prospect of Waller perhaps forcing him to choose sides with ARGUS can be a test for him, and I'm sure that will all play out more with the JL movies, as these characters are more intertwined, and if Trevor is involved in all that.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Trevor needs to be more than a "damsel in distress" because otherwise, what would a badass warrior like Wonder Woman see in him? As a matter of fact, ALL superhero love interests (male or female) should be written to be more than just damsels in distress. That's why I love Amy Adams' Lois Lane and despised Kim Basinger's bland Vicki Vale. There needs to be something beyond good looks that attracts the hero to him/her.

 

[Willi Berg]

I watched the Justice League episode again- "The Savage Time". WW goes back in time and meets Steve Trevor in an alternate timeline. He is pretty badass in the ep- he steals a plane, he parachutes out of the plane when it explodes but gets hit in the head and last second is rescued by WW as he falls to the ground. He and WW then work together to help defeat Vandal Savage.

This is pretty typical of Trevor's characterisation. I don't see why they should change it to prove some point about role reversal. They have to still stay true to Steve Trevor's character.

 

[Loki882]

Well he's pretty much played up as a "damsel in distress," albeit for comedic effect, in BTBATB. Heck Batman even has a quip "what does she see in him?"

I tend to find love interests who are ONLY love interests to be rather boring (unless the writing is REALLY good). There's a reason why Amy Adam's Lois, or most of my favorite Marvel "love interests" (Peggy Carter, Pepper Potts, Claire Temple on DD, etc) have other stuff going on. It's just more interesting, and they can still be love interests to boot.

 

[terry78]

I think what WW genuinely likes about Trevor, and in other universes, Batman, is that these are just normal guys with no powers whatsoever who attempt to take on battles alongside these gods, and not give up even when they know they're outclassed. Bravery is a panty dropper.

 

[Mad Love]

I don't buy that. It's insinuating Superman is less brave and even Wonder Woman herself. I think WW is more inclined to side with Superman like in the Trinity book.

I also think Wonder Woman will help redeem Superman's image in BvS.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Well, I don't think that WW thinks less of someone like Superman or herself because they have powers. But I would agree that when she is attracted to a normal, flesh-and-blood human, it's because he is someone who is tough as nails and doesn't back down even when confronted by people who are clearly more powerful.

 

[Willi Berg]

Well he's pretty much played up as a "damsel in distress," albeit for comedic effect, in BTBATB. Heck Batman even has a quip "what does she see in him?"

Oh God, that's right. At least that show is deliberately cheesy. Imagine if they portrayed Aquaman in live action the way he's portrayed there. The movies are trying to ground these characters, not play up their comedic value.

 

[terry78]

Basically Trevor would jump in front of a bullet meant for WW knowing full well she could probably deflect or survive it on her own, but it's just his chivalry showing, and she finds it endearing probably.

 

[Willi Berg]

Basically Trevor would jump in front of a bullet meant for WW knowing full well she could probably deflect or survive it on her own, but it's just his chivalry showing, and she finds it endearing probably.

What a guy.

 

[NoLaNitE007]

I'm pretty sure Pine's characterization as Trevor will be more along the lines of the New 52 version where he is much like Cruise's Ethan character from the Mission Impossible franchise.

Stop worrying and overanalyzing folks about him just being a "damsel in distress" to Gadots WW. t:

 

[Mad Love]

Basically Trevor would jump in front of a bullet meant for WW knowing full well she could probably deflect or survive it on her own, but it's just his chivalry showing, and she finds it endearing probably.

Amazons would probably find that foolish. Chivalry is a western concept based on a sexist system.

 

[Willi Berg]

I'm pretty sure Pine's characterization as Trevor will be more along the lines of the New 52 version where he is much like Cruise's Ethan character from the Mission Impossible franchise.

Stop worrying and overanalyzing folks about him just being a "damsel in distress" to Gadots WW. t:

You're right.

 

[Vonter-Voman]

Female romantic interests these days also do plenty of stuff to help the protagonist, and I think it will be basically the same for Trevor. Not to mention that, at least pre-crisis, a lot of times he was the one that lead the adventures. I mean, specially in Golden Age and the TV show, Wonder Woman was generally there to help him in his missions, or to save him because someone was trying to hurt him. And he helped her with her stuff too. He never was useless.

The only thing that the New 52 did for him was to separate him from Diana and tell stories about him without her, and then he could have some things to do on his own. But he was always capable. He was always called a war hero, after all. Even if he needed help or saving a lot of times, he always at least TRIED to do things. Basically, not a passive damsel in distress.

I read somewhere that his role was more of a "wounded soldier" archetype. He's trying to fight, but needs to be rescued by an "angel".

 

[haephestus]

I would be happy to see Steve Trevor in the somewhat "traditional" love interest role.

Although, typing that, of late the "love interests" have had some pretty critical roles. I still can't remember the reasoning for it, but for some reason Lois Lane was on that plane that dropped Superman's baby capsule into Zod's terraforming machine from memory. Lois Lane also, for some reason, ended up on Zod's spaceship as his captive before that and got to chat to Superman's dead dad's hologram. Similarly, Pepper Potts' role in the Iron Man films expanded up to the point where she arguably saved the day in Iron Man 3 (albeit while in a bra).

I think that rather than "love interest" or "damsel in distress", I would prefer to see Steve Trevor in more of a "sidekick" role. Kind of like being Wonder Woman's version of Robin. He's never going to be as good or strong as Wonder Woman. And he may get injured or kidnapped or whatever else while fighting the good fight, but he'll act heroically and he'll stand by Wonder Woman to the bitter end. Of course, the point remains that he's primarily there to serve Wonder Woman's character.

And just like Batman and Robin, they can retire to their secret base at night to spend quality time together.

 

[Axl Van Sixx]

You lost me by hating on ARGUS New 52 version of Steve Trevor and saying Mendelson always has excellent analysis?

[shrugs] Maybe you have difficulty reading? I didn't say Mendelson always has excellent analysis, I said he "typically" does. A lot of it is liberal identity politics stuff, but in that regard, when it comes to analyzing race and gender issues in Hollywood I feel he's one of the best voices out there. And that's leaving aside his superlative analysis of box office results, which I assume is the main reason they have him at Forbes.

I wouldn't say I was hating on ARGUS New 52 Steve Trevor for the simple reason that I haven't read it. If you'd like to tell me a good book to start, I'm more than game to give it a try. My point was more that this movie should be about Wonder Woman, first and foremost. If the ARGUS stuff can be incorporated seamlessly into the plot in a similar way to Peggy Carter's SHIELD work (or whatever they call the organization in CA:TFA), then I say by all means, include it in the film.

Trevor needs to be more than a "damsel in distress" because otherwise, what would a badass warrior like Wonder Woman see in him? As a matter of fact, ALL superhero love interests (male or female) should be written to be more than just damsels in distress. That's why I love Amy Adams' Lois Lane and despised Kim Basinger's bland Vicki Vale. There needs to be something beyond good looks that attracts the hero to him/her.

Agreed. And if I may make a massive sweeping generalization, women tend to be more interested than men in qualities other than looks anyway, so it makes sense for Diana's relationship with Steve Trevor. Which leads me to ...

Well, I don't think that WW thinks less of someone like Superman or herself because they have powers. But I would agree that when she is attracted to a normal, flesh-and-blood human, it's because he is someone who is tough as nails and doesn't back down even when confronted by people who are clearly more powerful.

Exactly! I think you've nailed down perfectly what Diana sees in Steve Trevor and the way they should portray him in the film. While it would be interesting to see a male actor play a "damsel in distress" if purely for the role reversal, I agree that neither male nor female "love interests" should be totally useless, in a perfect world. Just give us interesting, well-written characters with their own inner lives who aren't mere plot devices through which the hero(ine) can learn something about themselves or have someone to kiss at the end of the movie.

 

[Web-Head]

Who could turn down the chance to be Gal Gadot's love interest? Still would have liked to see Pine play Barry Allen though.

 

[NoLaNitE007]

[shrugs] Maybe you have difficulty reading? I didn't say Mendelson always has excellent analysis, I said he "typically" does. A lot of it is liberal identity politics stuff, but in that regard, when it comes to analyzing race and gender issues in Hollywood I feel he's one of the best voices out there. And that's leaving aside his superlative analysis of box office results, which I assume is the main reason they have him at Forbes.

I wouldn't say I was hating on ARGUS New 52 Steve Trevor for the simple reason that I haven't read it. If you'd like to tell me a good book to start, I'm more than game to give it a try. My point was more that this movie should be about Wonder Woman, first and foremost. If the ARGUS stuff can be incorporated seamlessly into the plot in a similar way to Peggy Carter's SHIELD work (or whatever they call the organization in CA:TFA), then I say by all means, include it in the film.



Agreed. And if I may make a massive sweeping generalization, women tend to be more interested than men in qualities other than looks anyway, so it makes sense for Diana's relationship with Steve Trevor. Which leads me to ...



Exactly! I think you've nailed down perfectly what Diana sees in Steve Trevor and the way they should portray him in the film. While it would be interesting to see a male actor play a "damsel in distress" if purely for the role reversal, I agree that neither male nor female "love interests" should be totally useless, in a perfect world. Just give us interesting, well-written characters with their own inner lives who aren't mere plot devices through which the hero(ine) can learn something about themselves or have someone to kiss at the end of the movie.

I read it just fine thanks! "Typically" means most of the time which can mean "always" in some respects.

Mendelsons stuff is "typically" garbage IMO...with his doom and gloom and long winded tone, thinking he is actually saying something of any real significance.

I gave him a chance and I stopped a while back because his stuff became predictable and he just seems to reach way too often.