Director Patty Jenkins confirms on Twitter that the 'Saturday Night Live' alum will play the villain role of Cheetah in the sequel to the Gal Gadot-starring superhero movie.
- Mar 10, 2018
AceShowbiz - It's official! "Wonder Woman 2" has found its villain in Kristen Wiig. "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins, who will return at the helm for the sequel, has confirmed on Twitter that the "Bridesmaids" actress is tapped to play Cheetah who will antagonize Gal Gadot's Diana Prince in the upcoming movie.
"So excited to confirm the most thrilling news," Jenkins posted on Friday, March 9. "Yes! It's true! So incredibly lucky to welcome the sensationally talented Kristen Wiig to our Wonder Woman family. Can't wait to finally work with one of my favorites. And SO excited by what we have planned. #Cheetah!!! @GalGadot."
So excited to confirm the most thrilling news. Yes! It’s true! So incredibly lucky to welcome the sensationally talented Kristen Wiig to our Wonder Woman family. Can't wait to finally work with one of my favorites. And SO excited by what we have planned. #Cheetah!!! @GalGadot pic.twitter.com/Gn0jICiIAH
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) March 9, 2018
It was previously reported that "The Amazing Spider-Man" star and Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone was offered the role, but she turned it down.
There are four different incarnations of Cheetah since the character's debut. The cinematic iteration of the character is said to be based on the current Cheetah Barbara Ann Minerva. Minerva is a British anthropologist and heiress who gains the powers of the cheetah after an expedition to an African jungle.
Plot details of "Wonder Woman 2" are still scarce, but it is said to be set in the '80s during the waning days of the Cold War. Jenkins additionally said that she wanted Wonder Woman to come to America in the sequel, telling Entertainment Weekly, "It's time."
Fans have mixed reactions to the casting news. Since Wiig is best known for her comedic roles and her works in comedy movies such as "Despicable Me" and "Ghostbusters", some people doubt if she is the right choice for the villainous role. "Not happy that #KristenWiig will play villain Cheetah in #WonderWoman sequel Couldn't they find a real actress? Booooo....! #DCEU," one wrote on Twitter.
Not happy that #KristenWiig will play villain Cheetah in #WonderWoman sequel 😒😒 Couldn't they find a real actress? Booooo....! #DCEU
— KC A (@twittsfromKC) March 9, 2018
Another expressed his/her concern, "I wasn't able to take Kristen Wiig seriously in 'dramatic' roles in #TheMartian #Mother and #Downsizing so how am I meant to take her seriously voicing/dressed as a #Cheetah in #WonderWoman2 ??? #KristenWiig."
I wasn’t able to take Kristen Wiig seriously in “dramatic” roles in #TheMartian #Mother and #Downsizing so how am I meant to take her seriously voicing/dressed as a #Cheetah in #WonderWoman2 ??? #KristenWiig
— Reece Steel (@ReeceyBoy4Real) March 9, 2018
#KristenWiig cast as #Cheetah In #wonderwoman 2 #GalGadot #PattyJenkins #dccomics pic.twitter.com/f5IouxBwAF
— Houssam V (@thehoussamv) March 9, 2018
However, there are many fans who believe in Jenkins and her choice. "I remember questioning @Krystenritter as @JessicaJones & DAMN was I wrong, so no way in Hell will I question @PattyJenks choice of #KristenWiig in @WonderWomanFilm 2!!! #WomanPower," one wrote.
I remember questioning @Krystenritter as @JessicaJones & DAMN was I wrong, so no way in Hell will I question @PattyJenks choice of #KristenWiig in @WonderWomanFilm 2!!! #WomanPower
— Dave Johnson (@papadoc5656) March 9, 2018
A fan responded to the news, "initial fanboy instinct was to question kristen wiig being cast as cheetah. then i remembered when i questioned gal gadot's casting and then i shut up and sat on the edge of my seat waiting for wonder woman 2."
initial fanboy instinct was to question kristen wiig being cast as cheetah. then i remembered when i questioned gal gadot's casting and then i shut up and sat on the edge of my seat waiting for wonder woman 2.
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) March 9, 2018
Another agreed, "My sentiments exactly. #PattyJenkins knows what she’s doing, #GalGadot is perfect as #WonderWoman and I have a feeling #KristenWiig is going to bring something unexpected to #Cheetah. Can’t wait for #WonderWoman2 !!! DCEU back on track!"
My sentiments exactly. #PattyJenkins knows what she’s doing, #GalGadot is perfect as #WonderWoman and I have a feeling #KristenWiig is going to bring something unexpected to #Cheetah. Can’t wait for #WonderWoman2 !!! DCEU back on track! https://t.co/CZVoMP7oLz
— Ben Begley (@TheBenBegley) March 9, 2018
Another tweeted, "I haaattteee y'all! Lmao. I'm actually not worried about this because I think #KristenWiig is a great character actor. I think we're in for something pretty great."
I haaattteee y'all! Lmao
I'm actually not worried about this because I think #KristenWiig is a great character actor. I think we're in for something pretty great. https://t.co/LjLiY457Gw
— Ricco (@Ricco4prez_) March 9, 2018
"Wonder Woman 2" will begin production in May in the United Kingdom. The movie is slated for a November 1, 2019 release in the United States.