Zack Snyder, renowned for his bold and visually stunning contributions to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), once envisioned a very different origin story for Wonder Woman. Before Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman (2017) became a cultural phenomenon, Snyder proposed a movie set in 1854, placing Diana Prince in an era marked by conflict, colonialism, and rigid societal norms. However, the project never made it past the conceptual stage. If it had, it would’ve transformed Gal Gadot’s portrayal of Wonder Woman into one of DC’s most morally complex and controversial characters.
A Revolutionary Setting for a Superhero
Unlike Jenkins’ World War I setting, Snyder’s concept would have delved even further into history, placing Diana amid the turmoil of the Crimean War. This would have offered a starkly different lens for her heroism. In Snyder's vision, Wonder Woman was not the noble idealist audiences know today. Instead, she was a warrior driven by personal emotions and an ambiguous moral compass.
The highlight of the scrapped movie was Diana's romantic entanglement with a mortal man. According to Snyder, this relationship would have lasted a decade, deeply intertwining her personal journey with the horrors of war. While this love story could have showcased Diana’s humanity and capacity for deep connections, it also raised questions about her ethics, especially as a demigod with immense power.
A Toxic Twist to Wonder Woman’s Character
Snyder’s Wonder Woman wasn’t the beacon of hope typically associated with the character. Early drafts suggested a morally gray Diana who became deeply involved in the violence of war, sometimes blurring the lines between justice and vengeance. Her romantic relationship was rumored to reflect this complexity, with her mortal lover possibly acting as both her moral anchor and her enabler.
Fans speculate that this version of Diana might have been portrayed as a tragic antihero, willing to compromise her ideals for love and survival. Such a depiction would’ve been unprecedented for a character long celebrated as a feminist icon. While the idea could have added layers to her character, it risked alienating fans who admire Wonder Woman’s unwavering sense of right and wrong.
Why Snyder’s Vision Was Scrapped
Snyder’s concept, though intriguing, never came to fruition. Warner Bros. ultimately decided to pursue a more accessible and hopeful version of Wonder Woman, one that resonated with modern audiences. Patty Jenkins’ approach, emphasizing Diana’s compassion and moral clarity, proved to be a winning formula. The 2017 film grossed over $800 million worldwide and solidified Gal Gadot’s status as an A-list star.
While Snyder’s gritty and experimental take might have appealed to fans of his Watchmen or Man of Steel, it would have been a gamble for a character as iconic as Wonder Woman. The studio likely feared that such a drastic reimagining could overshadow the character’s inspirational legacy.
What Could Have Been
Zack Snyder’s unmade Wonder Woman 1854 remains a fascinating "what-if" scenario in the history of superhero cinema. The film had the potential to explore themes of love, power, and morality in a way that few superhero stories dare to attempt. However, it also risked turning Diana into a divisive figure, straying far from the qualities that make her an enduring symbol of hope and justice.
While fans may never see this darker iteration of Wonder Woman on screen, it serves as a reminder of the creative risks filmmakers often weigh in shaping beloved characters. For now, Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Amazonian princess continues to inspire audiences worldwide, rooted in compassion, strength, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
