WB buying a spec Wonder Woman script?

[ultimatefan]

From the main page: According to Hollywood Reporter, WB is quietly buying a WW script set in World War II, written by two newcomers, as a measure to prevent possible legal actions against the movie they´re developing with Joss Whedom - set in present day - due to any possible similarities. I dunno, a WW movie set in World War II sounds interesting to me...

 

[Kevin Roegele]

How annoying, and typically Hollywood. These new writers finally sell a script - but rather than being bought to be made into a picture, it's bought to stop it being made.

Hopefully it (or elements of it) will be considered for a sequel.

 

[Casius--J]

Are they even makin this film anymore?? Geeze feels like its been in the early stages for years!!!

 

[ultimatefan]

Are they even makin this film anymore?? Geeze feels like its been in the early stages for years!!!

I know. Whedom has been bitsching and moaning about struggling with the story forever... He´d better deliver a masterpiece...

 

[Dr. Fate]

Are they even makin this film anymore?? Geeze feels like its been in the early stages for years!!!

I'm just giving up on ever seeing this film get made.

 

[Philly Phanboy]

A New Wonder Woman at WB?
Source: The Hollywood Reporter February 1, 2007

Warner Bros. Pictures and Silver Pictures are quietly in the process of buying a Wonder Woman spec script from newcomers Matthew Jennison and Brent Strickland, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The studio and producer Joel Silver have been developing a big-screen version of the DC Comics superhero, with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon writing the script and attached to direct.

The trade says the purchase is a pre-emptive measure aimed at taking the script off the market to protect itself against the possibility that any similarities between the scripts could be fodder for future legal action.

It is understood that the Jennison-Strickland script is set against the backdrop of World War II, while Whedon's script is set in the present day.

Silver has no interest in making a period Wonder Woman, however. But as the spec script made the rounds, it landed at Silver Pictures, and executives there were impressed by Jennison and Strickland's writing.

Not sure what to make of this.

The last sentence with the execs being impressed might be a sign that Whedon's days are numbered; or who knows, it could have been Whedon that was impressed with the script and wanted to incorporate some aspects into his own script.

The whole wanting to avoid future legal issues is b.s. though because Wonder Woman's original creator, licensed the character to the extent that any use outside the comics is very well defined as to what is and isn't allowed...no opposing lawyer would dare challenge this with a knock-off. Another interesting possibility though could be that Silver and company might have done this to prevent this from being done as a parody. This would have circumvented the legal issues for the faux Wonder Woman and could damage the real Wonder Woman in much the same way the Incredibles made Fantastic Four look bad (or worse... ).

 

[JackBauer]

hopefully this encourages Whedon to get the f***in job done.

 

[jrpstarwars]

I know. Whedom has been bitsching and moaning about struggling with the story forever... He´d better deliver a masterpiece...

This movie has been in-work for nearly 10 years. Whedon says his main problem is he thought Batman was perfect as a superhero film and now he has to write his own but with a woman as the main character in much different sttings and circumstances.

I am starting to think they should have a woman have her hand at writing this script.

 

[Mother_Askani]

This stories makes absolutely no sense.

Wonder Woman is copyrighted by DC Comics. Writing a Wonder Woman spec script an unlicensed use of their intellectual property and copyright infringement.

Warner Bros and Silver Pictures would frequently reject unsolicited specs.

Rewarding someone for writing a spec script with their property seems completely backwards.

 

[jj9126]

Agree with others who think this is spin...I'm betting Whedon is headed out.

 

[dnno1]

This stories makes absolutely no sense.

Wonder Woman is copyrighted by DC Comics. Writing a Wonder Woman spec script an unlicensed use of their intellectual property and copyright infringement.

Warner Bros and Silver Pictures would frequently reject unsolicited specs.

Rewarding someone for writing a spec script with their property seems completely backwards.

The guy's admitted that the doesn't know anything about the character. Maybe the put these guys on retainer to give Whedon some ideas. Or maybe the just wanted to let him know that they had other options as well so he better get to work. In any case I think it doesn't bode well for his writing expertise.

 

[Primal Slayer]

well its not like Joss has to do this project, he was approached about it.

But I dont think they are thinking about replacing Whedon. if they were going to they wouldve done it already.

 

[Manic]

If they're so impressed, maybe Joss and Joel will think about hiring these guys as co-writers.

I love Joss' writing, but the man clearly needs some help on this one.

 

[Lestat74]

The guy's admitted that the doesn't know anything about the character. Maybe the put these guys on retainer to give Whedon some ideas. Or maybe the just wanted to let him know that they had other options as well so he better get to work. In any case I think it doesn't bode well for his writing expertise.

Joss Whedon never said that he "didn't know anything about the character", only that he was never a big fan of the comics themselves, but always liked the character based on her appearances elsewhere. Same way I've never bought a Captain America, Thor or Iron Man comic in my life but know plenty about them based on their appearances elsewhere in the Marvel Universe. Joss Whedon turned in a draft last year, and has since been doing another draft. I'm not sure if he's gonna stay with the project or not, it is possible they are not happy with whatever he's doing. ( not based on quality, but based on it being not commercial enough ) But remember also, there is a precedent for buying scripts that the studio doesn't plan on using; back in 1998, a novice writer named Alex Ford sold his script for Superman: The Man of Steel to Warners. Warners had no real intent on making it, but liked enough things about it they thought they could use in future Superman films, so they just outright bought it. It sounds like what is happening with Wonder Woman. Cheaper to buy it than spend a lot more money later in litigation.

 

[GNR]

I'm all for a WW period piece set in WW2.

Then again,it would make it difficult if they ever wanted to do a JLA movie.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Not really. She is immortal and never ages....

But frankly I wouldnt be that interested in seeing WW if set in WW2, the trailer would have to blow me away.

 

[Manic]

I wouldn't dig a WWII-set Wonder Woman movie. The tie-in videogame would be enough to drive me insane.

 

[Motown Marvel]

damn, im gonna write up a rad WW script so WB has to buy it too, to avoid any lawsuits! i could use the money!

 

[Cmill216]

Any cool points Joss had before his involvement in this film began are completely gone.

 

[Mister J]

My hopes for seeing this movie as a kickass incarnation are steadily fading.

 

[Manic]

damn, im gonna write up a rad WW script so WB has to buy it too, to avoid any lawsuits! i could use the money!

Goyer's Flash is in pre-production hell, too, right?

*starts typing away*

 

[Kebab gud]

stop *****ing about joss taking a long time.. you cant do a movie script over night and its the bosses at WB who keeps sending the script back to him ..

he has only been on the project now for what? 18months?

 

[Cmill216]

stop *****ing about joss taking a long time..

Why? He's b****in' himself.

you cant do a movie script over night and its the bosses at WB who keeps sending the script back to him ..

he has only been on the project now for what? 18months?

18 months IS a long friggin' time.

 

[Manic]

Really? It's only been a year and a half? Anticipation, months of speculation, and general internet nerd *****ebaggery make it seem like so much longer.

 

[dnno1]

Joss Whedon never said that he "didn't know anything about the character", only that he was never a big fan of the comics themselves, but always liked the character based on her appearances elsewhere. Same way I've never bought a Captain America, Thor or Iron Man comic in my life but know plenty about them based on their appearances elsewhere in the Marvel Universe. Joss Whedon turned in a draft last year, and has since been doing another draft. I'm not sure if he's gonna stay with the project or not, it is possible they are not happy with whatever he's doing. ( not based on quality, but based on it being not commercial enough ) But remember also, there is a precedent for buying scripts that the studio doesn't plan on using; back in 1998, a novice writer named Alex Ford sold his script for Superman: The Man of Steel to Warners. Warners had no real intent on making it, but liked enough things about it they thought they could use in future Superman films, so they just outright bought it. It sounds like what is happening with Wonder Woman. Cheaper to buy it than spend a lot more money later in litigation.

Ok, I take back my statement. He went on record to say he didn't love the comics and he never watched the TV series (the one which revolutionized the spin and probably brought a lot of fans to the comics -- namely me). That sounds like two strikes against him already. Could this acquisition of the Jennison-Strickland spec script be strike three? Lets just hope the put it away and use it for a future Wonder Woman film (giving Whedon the benefit of the doubt).