<P> Development for a live action Wonder Woman feature film began in 1996, with Ivan Reitman attached as producer and possible director . In 1999 the project became attached to Jon Cohen, who adapted Wonder Woman for producer Joel Silver, with the hope that Sandra Bullock would star . By 2001, Todd Alcott was hired to write the screenplay, with Silver Pictures backing the project . At that time, performers such as Mariah Carey and Catherine Zeta - Jones were also rumored to be possible candidates for the role of Wonder Woman . Leonard Goldberg, however, focused on Bullock who said that she was approached for the role . In addition, wrestler Chyna also expressed interest . Lucy Lawless, the star of Xena: Warrior Princess, was also under consideration, though she stated that she would have been more interested if Wonder Woman was portrayed as a "flawed hero ." The screenplay went through various drafts written by Alcott, Cohen, Becky Johnston, and Philip Levens, and by August 2003, Levens had been replaced by screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis . </P> <P> In March 2005, Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures announced that Joss Whedon would write and direct the film, with a reported salary was of $2 to $3 million . Since Whedon was directing Serenity at the time, and required time to research Wonder Woman's background, he did not begin the screenplay until late 2005 . Early drafts of his screenplay included Steve Trevor as the narrator, a fierce battle between Diana and her mother over Trevor's welfare, and after leaving Themyscira, his need to frequently rescue a Diana rendered helpless by the modern world . Whedon was not able to complete a final version of his screenplay however, and left the project in 2007 . </P> <P> Although Whedon stated in May 2005 that he would not cast the part of Wonder Woman until he finished the script, actors such as Kate Beckinsale were linked to the part . In 2010 however, Whedon admitted that he did have an actress in mind for the part, stating that "Wonder Woman was basically Angelina Jolie ." A few years later in May 2017, Indie Ground Films leaked a version of Whedon's script in - progress online . Some reacted negatively to it on social media in June 2017, shortly after the release of Patty Jenkins' version of the film . When asked about this response to his script, Jenkins said in a June 2017 interview that she has not read it and that Whedon is "in the DC universe now, and I don't think there's any reason to go there (...) It was what it was . I'm lucky that I'm the person who got to do it . But I don't see what would be beneficial about comparing what he would've done versus what I would have done ." </P> <P> A day before Whedon's departure from Wonder Woman, Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures purchased a spec script for the film written by Matthew Jennison and Brent Strickland . Set during World War II, the script impressed executives at Silver Pictures . However, Silver stated that he had purchased the script because he did not want the rights reverting; while stating the script had good ideas, Silver did not want the film to be a period piece . By April 2008, Silver hired Jennison and Strickland to write a new script set in contemporary times that would not depict Wonder Woman's origin, but explore Paradise Island's history . In November 2008, Beyoncé met with representatives from DC Comics and Warner Bros., to discuss her interest in portraying Wonder Woman . </P>

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