Image Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.comNBC has found its Wonder Woman!
Friday Night Lights star Adrianne Palicki has landed the coveted lead role in the broadcaster’s reboot of the classic 1970s series.
In addition to having won praise for her performance on FNL, Palicki looks, well… spot-on perfect for the part, yes?
Wonder Woman is being remade by Boston Legal writer David E. Kelley, who has incorporated the superhero’s signature lasso, cuffs, and plane in the script. The script is a serious, non-campy take on the DC Comics character that pays homage to TV’s original WW Lynda Carter, but it should satiate those fans of Kelley’s memorable soapbox moments his legal dramas: At one point, Diana gives a speech on Capitol Hill.
For years, various writers and producers (including Joss Whedon) have tried to bring back Wonder Woman and the character has proved difficult to resurrect. But NBC is all about taking big swings next fall under new entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt, who’s greenlit high-concept pilots such as 17th Precinct (cops solve crimes in magical world) and Playboy (lives of Playboy bunnies in the 1960s).
Palicki will star in the upcoming feature-film remake of Red Dawn, and also starred in the horror film Breaking the Girl and most recently in Fox’s short-lived series Lone Star.
Here’s the official Wonder Woman description:
The series pilot is a reinvention of the iconic DC Comics title in which Wonder Woman — a.k.a. Diana Prince — is a vigilante crime fighter in Los Angeles but also a successful corporate executive and a modern woman trying to balance all of the elements of her extraordinary life. Kelley and Bill D’Elia (Boston Legal, The Practice) are the executive producers. The pilot was written by Kelley and will be directed by Jeffrey Reiner (NBC’s The Event). Wonder Woman is from David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
Read more:
EW Special Report: Wonder Woman: The Missing Superhero
Who should play Wonder Woman?
‘Wonder Woman’ project finds a home at NBC
Wonder Woman TV show ‘not moving forward’
Joss Whedon’s Wonder Woman fantasy: Angelina Jolie
Although I absolutely adored her in FNL, I don’t know if I buy her as Wonder Woman. But no matter what, I’ll be there to watch and support!
I’m not sure I buy her either. I really, really want a Wonder Woman with a lot of muscle, the way she’s supposed to be…so I’m hoping this actress will do plenty of lifting and bulk up a little. But I kind of doubt it’ll happen. At least she’s tall.
While wonder woman should be buffed up, who is going to want to watch that? I’m not going to want to watch a manish woman beating up guys, she’s got to be physically attractive.
I would want to watch it, Joe! I like seeing a strong woman. And I’m not talking about bulking up like a female bodybuilder. I just want her to have SOME solid muscle in there, rather than stick-straight arms and legs. I mean, it’s part of the way Wonder Woman is drawn, and I don’t think her sex appeal on the page or in the animated movies is lessened by having muscles. If you’re looking for eye candy, that’s what the enormous rack and absurdly skimpy outfit are for!
I don’t think I buy her either. My ideal vision of Wonder Woman is more along the lines of the way she was portrayed in Justice League Unlimited. That being said, I’ll give it a chance. But I’m skeptical.
Exactly. Love her but not for this role.
I would, Joe! About time we had a kick-ass woman who actually looked like she can kick ass. I’m sorry you’re so insecure about your own masculinity that you can’t appreciate a fit woman.
Booooo! I wanted Snooki!
I’d buy a young Lucy Lawless, but this WW looks wishy washy; we need a bad ass Scarlet, not a mealy mouthed Melanie.
@shiny-that was my pick for WW too
@shiny – me too
yeah… this is terrible casting. I just googled her and she a blond for one thing, looks like a collage tramp in all her photos, does not come off as verry intelligent looking (see above comment) and has wonky fake t1ts. she looks like the girl in a wonder woman episode that WW would help get through a diet pill addiction… yuck.
That’s funny, you making fun of her not being intelligent while your comment is riddled with spelling errors. You’re the idiot.
You dont come off as verry intelligent, did you go to collage?
Kat-ja didnt I?
picklet1ts, I’m not sure if you’re referencing my comment or Kaci’s, but neither of us mentioned how intelligent she looks. I just said she didn’t have a lot of muscle. Basically, I want her to look like Hillary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, but I know that’s very unlikely. tjc360 – I feel like you’re trying to make a dismissive pun using my name, but I don’t think your comment is directed at me. I am …flattered?
She WAS blonde on Friday Night Lights but has since dyed her hair (see photo) also, she played a “town slut” character on FNL so the photos you found were probably from that. She’s a great actress and I’m sure will play the part well. It’s kind of funny that Minka Kelly will be on Charlie’s Angels and Adrienne Palicki will be Wonder Woman. Glad they are both finding work (Minka more-so but oh well) they are both extremely talented women.
Atrocious casting. They must be thinking, “Smallville”. Ah well. I’m out of it.
exactly what i thought! but hey sarah michelle gellar was buffy so i think she can also do an amazing job with this. its nbc i worry about.
Yeah but at least Tom Welling looked the part. I just don’t get it.
And if you looked at the casting sheet that was leaked the other day, my first thought was “why would the support cast SUPPORT her?” All the characters are described as being completely “devoted” to her. They have references to a corporation in her name. How believable is it that she would own a large corporation? “Hi, I’m a 20 CEO battling bad guys with my tiny arms.” Not to mention WW was never a girl “trying to live an ordinary life”. She’s a warrior, the best of the best. I hate that they’re trying to Aly McBeal her. Too bad.
Mon Dieu she’s a beuty. Must have some French Canadian in her. I hope it is true that Ryan Reynolds will co-star. I loved him Le Cahier. So romantic, that rain scene.
All these remakes and reboots for possible next season chances are getting weak and old. Charlie’s Angels, now WW.
Where is the creativity in the minds of these multi-millionaire brainiacs? I guess original programming is no longer a part of the TV industry?
Adrianne Palicki is not the weak link in this. She’ll be better than fine. The liability here is David E Kelly. Why they gave this show to him escapes me.
@MWC, I am 100% with you. I happen to be a David E. Kelly fan and am currently enjoying “Harry’s Law,” but he just doesn’t strike me as the go to guy for this. Bryan Fuller, Tim Minear, Jane Espenson, seems to me like there are lots more logical choices.
So, just as I predicted, the teasing headline question would be answered by a raven-haired nobody. Ta-da!
EPIC FAIL
Bridget Regan was the clear choice for this role, she looks like Wonder Woman and she has experience with action roles (Legend Of the Seeker). Wow, they really botched this. I loved Friday Night Lights, but thought Palicki was not one of the strong links
this!
Just googled Bridget Regan… She seems cool but her face is a 6, tops. Not alluring enough to be the princess of the amazons. Try again. I think Cobie Smulders.
I agree with Pickle t1ts, this woman Bridget Regan is nice, but Wonder Woman needs to be on a level with Linda Carter. She was so good in the Wedding Crashers. Vive Le Roi!
I disagree when you guys say Bridget isn’t alluring enough. You need to see a few episodes of Legend of the Seeker. Bridget is absolutely beautiful.
Well apparently she’s NOT an Amazon. She’s a strong female CEO fighting the crime. David E Kelley ruins the crap out of things, not the actors.
Bridget Regan would have been the perfect choice for this role. She’s got the face, body, and the experience. This is disheartening news for me. It’s not too late to cast her in a WW movie though!
I can back that.
It should be MUNN!
Munn has another major role I think??? She’s in strong contention for something that is escaping me, whether its snow white or batman…someone help me out here!!
In any case Adrienne was recently on criminal minds and did a great job…now with the dark brown hair I can see how they reached that conclusion. Good luck to her.
Snow White went to the girl from the Twilight movies, what’s her name?
@Jethro – Please God tell me they did NOT give Snow White to Kristin Stewart!!!!
munn can’t act.
agree- Munn is no actress! though very pretty but no…
Olivia Munn? As pretty as she is, she’s not what I’d call a good actress (yes – I’ve watched perfect couples, pretty bad) and I don’t think she can pull off the fighting scenes.
Agree about Bridget Reagan. Legend Of The Seeker easily makes her the winner!
There is just no way this works as a live action show. The 70′s version only worked because campy was in. People expect more serious stuff and I don’t care how good of a writer/producer you are you just can’t get that with a character in tights slinging a golden lasso around. There are some things that will only work as a comic and this is one of them. Another failure for NBC.
NBC is the problem here. They are pretty much failing at superhero and sci fi. One excellent season of Heroes, and a lot of really mediocre product after that.
Nope. Not in a million years. Not a good choice.
It doesn’t matter who they cast cause the pilot sounded totally awful.
Agreed.
THIS. Go find the various script reports online. Diana in a spin class? Fight scenes to “Single Ladies”? THREE identities? Train wrecks are going to stop and stare at this if that’s what gets filmed.
I’m glad Bridget Reagan didn’t get it. Why would you want her attached to this crap fest?
could not agree more, in my head she is wonder woman, but this show sounds awful
Agreed, if this show tanks I’ll be happy for Bridget that she didn’t get attached to it.
Adrianne Palicki is awesome, she should be able to pull it off. From FNL though Minka Kelly is more of what I pictured WW to look like.
I think Minka is too soft spoken and skinny. Wonder Woman is tougher.
I agree. I adore Minka Kelly whole-heartedly but she’s the sweetheart who lives down the block. She’s a doll. She’s hardly an ass-kicking heroin. I can definitely see her on Charlie’s Angels but for Wonder Woman, Palicki was the obvious choice. She’s tall, sexy, and much more intimidating.
“riddled” indicates multiple items, I found one error. jumping on a typing flub like two “r’s” in “very” is reaching. you are found wanting.
Yes I agree. I adore both Minka and Adrianne. But the latter is def way more kickass and WW-like than Minka.
I like this casting choice too. Adrienne definitely has the physicality for the role; a little bulking up and she’ll be perfect. If she can put out the right attitude this could be pretty good. She beats the heck out of some of the casting suggestions I’ve read online.
Yeah, that’s just what I want to see. Wonder Woman giving a speech to congress.
Break me off a slice of that!
LOVE HER! I honestly had no interest in this show, but now I will watch.
You lost me at “vigilante.”
As a big Palicki fan… no. Even if this gets picked up (which it won’t), it won’t be very good, AND it will last about four episodes. I’d like to see her get a job on a show worth her time.
She did and it was called Lone Star and unfortunately no one but me watched this.