Adrianne Palicki Cast as Wonder Woman in NBC Wonder Woman Pilot

Adrianne Palicki, best known for her appearance in NBC's Friday Night Lights, has been cast in the lead role of the David E Kelly pilot of Wonder Woman.

Who would be cast in a modern day interpretation of Wonder Woman, whether or the silver screen or in a television series, has been the source of internet speculation for many years. Ever since Joss Whedon was first tied to a big screen remake, actresses have been vying for consideration for the part.

Beyonce, Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, Eliza Dushku and Jennifer Love Hewitt , have all at one time or another been raised as candidates for the role of Wonder Woman. With the exception of Angelina Jolie, none of the actresses seemed quite right physically for the part. After all, unless there is some serious re-writing of Wonder Woman's backstory, she is an Amazon, of Greek mythology.

The Amazons, in Greek mythology were a nation of warrior women, who, depending on the version of the myth you subscribe to, either kept men captured in battle as slaves, or procreated once a year with the men of a neighboring nation to sustain their numbers.

Either way, the mythology would imply Wonder Woman to be a strong, independent woman, a fact that was somewhat played down in the iconic 1970's television version of Wonder Woman. Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman was physically strong, but a little naive, especially as Diana Prince, Major Steve Trevor's rather mousy (personality wise) assistant.

David E Kelley's Diana Prince will be a modern woman trying to balance a personal life, with a successful business career by day, and a vigilante crime fighter by night.

The Wonder Woman casting sheet describes Diana Prince as a "kick-ass crime fighter superhero with the stage presence of a rock star and Amazon-like in build, who also yearns for a normal life" Let's just hope, Kelley's interpretation of Wonder Woman is little more kick-ass than yearning. After all, no one wants to see Diana Prince will single-woman angst of Ally McBeal, while wearing tights.

Adrianne Palicki, who at 5'11" or 180 cm is physically suited to the Wonder Woman role. She is best known to television audiences for her three seasons on Friday Night Lights as Tyra Collette. More recently she was seen in the short lived FOC series Lone Star that lasted only two episodes.

Let's hope NBC's Wonder Woman series fares better than Lone Star, though the record of bringing female superheroes back to the small screen is not good. NBC failed miserably with Wonder Woman' 1970's super woman compatriot, The Bionic Woman.

With the continued popularity of the 1970's version of Wonder Woman, that saw, Lynda Carter squeeze her fabulous curves into a star spangled bathing suit with eagle encrusted bustier, and go-go boots, the new Wonder Woman television series is set to garner a few eyeballs, from the inevitable comparisons of Carter and Palicki in their crime fighting gear.

Filming of the Wonder Woman pilot is set to start on March 15, so more casting news is sure to follow.

Source:
Adrianne Palicki is the new Wonder Woman

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