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Wonder Woman Casts Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta — Plus, Chris Pine Discusses the WW1 Setting

Connie Nielsen in Gladiator

Connie Nielsen, best remembered for playing Lucilla in Gladiator, has just landed the role of Hippolyta in Wonder Woman. Nicole Kidman and Robin Wright were both rumored to be in the running for the part, but according to the Hollywood Reporter announcement about Nielsen’s casting, Robin Wright is still in the movie … suggesting that there may in fact be two roles for older women in this film. Hmm!

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Meanwhile, Chris Pine continues to ramp up excitement about his role as Steve Trevor; almost seems like he’s been doing more press for this movie than anyone else, so far. The last time we heard Gadot’s thoughts on her role was July of 2015, months before production began. I’d love to hear what she thinks of the project now that it’s in process, but she’s probably busy lassoing truths.

Anyway, here’s what Pine had to say to the Toronto Sun about his role:

Steve Trevor is a rogue-ish, cynical realist who’s seen the awful brutish nature of modern civilization. He’s a worldly guy, a charming guy and it’s going to be a great, fun film. There are some incredibly deep, interesting and morally relevant themes.

Patty is just directing the daylights out of it. It’s shot beautifully feels so wonderfully period, but also has this wonderful pop sensibility.

The rumor that Wonder Woman would take place in multiple time periods, starting with World War I, has been confirmed. Pine’s thoughts, as follows:

It’s a period we don’t see often; it’s usually World War II. Our costume design is incredible. We have scenes with, like, 500 extras all in period dress. I’d never been on a film with extras casting as beautifully done as it is here.

It highlights a really important point. When background casting is done well, it can make or break a scene. I’ve got people in deep background that have entire lives. It’s awesome, it’s actual make-believe land.

The setting is also strange in part because it’ll debut Diana before her original comic books did, as io9 pointed out in an editorial today — but it’ll also allow Diana to see a war among humans in which some dubiously moral tactics come into play, such as the use of mustard gas, which eventually led to the Geneva Protocol prohibiting the use of such weapons. If that were the first war I saw after growing up on Themyscira, I know I’d have my doubts about “the world of men.”

It’ll be interesting to see whether this movie navigates those themes — and also, interesting to see whether or not Steve Trevor survives through to the present day, since it sounds like his character only exists in the World War I time period. Perhaps Wonder Woman’s love interest … isn’t going to survive as long as she does? Just a theory!

(via The Hollywood Reporter, image via Dianne the Geek)

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Maddy Myers
Maddy Myers, journalist and arts critic, has written for the Boston Phoenix, Paste Magazine, MIT Technology Review, and tons more. She is a host on a videogame podcast called Isometric (relay.fm/isometric), and she plays the keytar in a band called the Robot Knights (robotknights.com).

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