Filming for Wonder Woman 1984 is well under way, and director Patty Jenkins has been sharing some first looks of the film on Twitter. The other week we got our first look at Steve Trevor and Diana Prince in the film, and today we got to see the film’s villain. This morning, the director shared this photo with the caption, “Enter Barbara Minerva… #WW84”
In the photo, we see Barbara Minerva standing in a museum exhibit of animals, but do not see what animal she is specifically looking at. Would it be too on-the-nose to have her looking at a cheetah?
SNL and Ghostbusters actress Kristen Wiig plays Barbara Minerva, aka Cheetah. In the comics, Cheetah is well-known as an archenemy of Wonder Woman. The character of Barbara Minerva is a British heiress and archaeologist. She searches out a tribe in Africa that utilizes a female guardian with the powers of a cheetah, taking the guardian’s place after learning it will give her immortality. Because she is not an intended host, her transformations are part curse and part blessing. She experiences severe pain and physical disability while in her human form and bloodthirsty euphoria while in her cat form. After learning that Diana possesses the Lasso of Truth, she covets it greatly, wanting to add it to her collection of historical items. Throughout many attempts to steal the Lasso, Cheetah eventually becomes more interested in besting Wonder Woman in battle.
It is unknown if any of this will be incorporated into Wonder Woman 1984, or the story will draw from other incarnations of Cheetah. Perhaps the biggest surprise for the film so far is the return of Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, who died in Wonder Woman.
Wonder Woman 1984 is due in theaters November 1, 2019.
