First finding fame in 2003 with the cinematic gut-punch “Monster,” Patty Jenkins has been exploring themes of feminism and femininity in film for the better part of two decades. She turned her focus to the small screen throughout the early 2000s, directing a handful of episodes for shows including “Entourage” and “Arrested Development” (in the latter’s case, sadly not the ones featuring “Monster” star Charlize Theron).
It wasn’t until 2017 that Ms. Jenkins would return to the public eye full-force with the long-awaited superhero epic “Wonder Woman.” Jenkins brought Diana of Themyscira to life with all the gusto and eye candy expected of DC without losing the plot of what makes the superhero relevant.
Jenkins created a universe where comic book-inspired scanty battle gear and Gal Gadot’s undeniable appeal were secondary to Wonder Woman’s inherent strength, empathy, and wit. Jenkins reportedly fought hard against movie execs who wanted to portray the Amazonians as victims, rather than an island of strong female warriors.
Jenkins herself was forced to channel a hero’s strength as comic book fans and critics largely considered “Wonder Woman 1984,” 2020’s highly anticipated sequel, to be a misfire. Jenkins is nonetheless slated to helm yet another sequel, in addition to directing a feature in the never-ending “Star Wars” franchise.
Little is known about her “Rogue Squadron” project at this point, but with Jenkins’ track record of bringing a uniquely female perspective to old tropes, hopes are high. With the first Wonder Woman film’s explosive release, Jenkins became not only the first woman to direct a feature-length superhero movie, but also the person responsible for the highest-grossing live-action feature directed by a woman.
These records have since been upended by other women in film, including Anna Boden of “Captain Marvel” and Jennifer Lee of “Frozen II” (if animated features are to be included). However, the massive impact Jenkins has had on women in the film industry is undeniable. She’s forged her own path, whether it be a dark ride through Aileen Wournos’ life or a family-friendly jaunt across a DC timeline, encouraging up-and-coming female directors to do the same.