Patty Jenkins Dismisses Rumors Claiming ‘Wonder Woman’ Is ‘A Mess’

by Will Ashton on August 13, 2016

patty-jenkins759

Yesterday, Pajiba released an eye-opening open letter from a former Warner Bros. employee to current chairman Kevin Tsujihara. The author, under the Big Trouble in Little China-inspired pseudonym Gracie Law (which earns some solid respect in this writer’s book), claimed next year’s Wonder Woman is “a mess,” among other things, and believes the company is doomed to repeat its most recent failures, as seen very evidentially in last weekend’s Suicide Squad.

Speculation continues to run wild, and while we’ll know next year whether or not such bold notions are true, one authoritative figure is putting her foot down on the matter: Patty Jenkins, the director of Wonder Woman herself. She hit to Twitter to clear some air, and hopefully set the record straight from her perspective.

In a series of tweets, Jenkins slammed Law’s piece and the acquisitions that her blockbuster is doomed to failure. She said it was all “made up bs,” that was “entirely” and “totally false,” and assured DC fans that they have nothing to worry about with the impending June 2, 2017 release.

Here are the tweets:

Woah, just saw this press about WW having problems. Are they serious? This is some made up bs right here. Made up! Produce a source, anyone.

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 12, 2016

You can’t because it’s entirely false. Don’t believe the hype people. Someone’s trying to spread some serious misinfo.

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 12, 2016

Isn’t until you are intimately involved in these things that you realize how totally false these rumors can. Let me reassure you…

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 12, 2016

Zero about the movie we are making has been called a mess by anyone in the know. Fact.

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 12, 2016

Real lasso of truth, time, will reveal that letter to be false soon enough. But lame something so transparent in its agenda gets traction.

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 12, 2016

Like Jenkins said, time will be “real lasso of truth” in this situation. Granted, there’s no reason why Jenkins would admit Wonder Woman is having problems, unless she wanted to pull a Josh Trank. That said, Jenkins is an honest, upfront person on her social media. But there’s always a chance she’s trying to save face on her multi-million blockbuster. Then again, if these claims are false and her movie is unjustly getting tarnished and warped by the media, then she is doing her film justice (no pun intended) and setting the record straight.

With nearly a full year before the new movie hits theaters, anything’s possible. We won’t know for sure if the film is a failure or a hit until then. But we do know that the first trailer was pretty epic, and that’s at least reassuring to Wonder Woman‘s overall quality at the moment. Let’s just hope it turns out better than Suicide Squad. I know that’s not a high bar or anything, but what are we without hope, right?

Here’s Law’s full claim against Jenkin’s film:

What are you even doing? I wish to God you were forced to live out of a car until you made a #1 movie of the year. Maybe Wonder Woman wouldn’t be such a mess. Don’t try to hide behind the great trailer. People inside are already confirming it’s another mess. It is almost impressive how you keep rewarding the same producers and executives for making the same mistakes, over and over.

Source: Uproxx

Will Ashton

Will is a writer for Heroic Hollywood, and a lot of other places too. One day he'll become Jack Burton. Just you wait and see.

flavortang

Any anonymous rando on the Internet can write a letter and make claims. The real story here is that this anonymous letter is actually getting reported by what I thought were legitimate news sources.
- Technofied
  
  and we shake it off saying no conspiracy surrounding this franchise.
- Chris W
  
  What legitimate news source?
  - SAMURAI36
    
    I guess it depends on what you consider “legit”. But Deadline is reporting it, for one.
    - clownprince2acnt
      
      26%
      - SAMURAI36
        
        This idiot created a 2nd account just to vex me? *blocks*
      - Steve Steve
        
        He’s known to be quite vexing.
        
        (not that you’ll ever see this comment *cough* gigantic baby *cough*)
  - flavortang
    
    Movie websites are reporting this letter as if it’s a confirmed ex-employee when it’s all pure speculation. There’s no way to confirm who this person is. Literally anyone could’ve written it.
DoYouFeelInCharge?

Devin Faraci and Umberto Gonzalez also dismissed this letter as BS, the only people who would even acknowledge such unsubstantiated garbage are the sad people who actually want to believe that it’s true.
- SAMURAI36
  
  As a side note, I’m really wondering what sort of impact Umberto has on this site anymore. The articles don’t seem to run congruent with what he does elsewhere (social media, and his new site, The Wrap).
  
  It’s like he broke the lease and moved out, but didn’t send his roommates the memo.
  - HistoryofMatt
    
    Inmates are running the asylum, and none of these guys are all that talented as writers or critical thinkers to start.
    - SAMURAI36
      
      OMG yes. Glad I’m not the only one that sees it.
      - JMMagwood
        
        You’re not.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        Did you see my response to Will below?
      - JMMagwood
        
        Yes. At this point, it seems like the writing on this site is mostly controlled by fans of various stripes, and by no one who has journalistic standards, or quality.
        
        As for the letter in question, it was clearly not written by anyone who worked at the studio. It smacks of a fanboy that thinks she or he is more clever than they really are.
        
        In the end, whatever my feelings about “Suicide Squad,” calling it a failure is, in my opinion a self indicting statement. The only measure of true success is whether or not a movie makes money, and “SS” is doing just that, and I’m glad it is.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        Yes. At this point, it seems like the writing on this site is mostly controlled by fans of various stripes, and by no one who has journalistic standards, or quality.
        
        Agreed, and it just seems that Umberto’s (the reason I came to this site in the first place) role here is perfunctory at best at this point.
        
        As for the letter in question, it was clearly not written by anyone who worked at the studio. It smacks of a fanboy that thinks she or he is more clever than they really are.
        
        Honestly, I think you’re giving the writer of the letter too much credit. It’s more so that the audience really is just that dumb.
        
        In the end, whatever my feelings about “Suicide Squad,” calling it a failure is, in my opinion a self indicting statement. The only measure of true success is whether or not a movie makes money, and “SS” is doing just that, and I’m glad it is.
        
        Hey, that reminds me… I don’t think I’ve heard your feelings about the movie yet. Have you seen it yet?
    - Joshua Sorrels
      
      you are right. constant misuse of words and grammatical errors, too. It’s like no one uses spellcheck or a dictionary.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        That’s the very least of their issues. If it were just that, I actually wouldn’t have such a problem with it.
Steve Steve

After reading the letter it is obviously not objective. He (like I once did) chastises Peter Jackson for “mailing it in” on the Hobbit films. I think anyone who followed that story knows that Peter Jackson executed a veritable miracle in getting those movies out. I blame Warner Bros and their hard deadline for release. It is the same thing that happened to Suicide Squad. These movies could have been spectacular, but were rushed to capitalize on the marketplace.

I am not a fan of what Warner Bros is doing with their films, and I imagine there are some reasonable criticisms to be made, but they should be made in the clear light of day by reasoned, balanced people, not angry vengeful ones.

I still think their refusal to campaign (for Oscars) for Creed was a travesty. That was one of the best movies of 2015, and they left it out in the cold.
- Will Ashton
  
  The letter was written by a she, not a he. Hence, Gracie Law.
  
  That said, Creed was very good. I’m sorry it didn’t get more love at the Oscars too. It was one of my favorites from last year as well.
  - SAMURAI36
    
    You have no idea who this “letter” was written by. If I started a new account under the name “Kim Kardashian”, does that mean that I’m somehow a woman?
    
    Geez, use your brain, dude. It’s called “misdirection”.
    
    And while we’re at it:
    
    “….and believes the company is doomed to repeat its most recent failures, as seen very evidentially in last weekend’s Suicide Squad.”
    
    I see you guys are up to your usual $h!tty writing as usual. So now SS is a “failure”? Is this the same SS that broke all the precious Marvel records on opening weekend?
    
    You just can’t seem to help yourself, can you?
    
    This is why “letters” like this gain traction, because the “journalists” on sites like this help them spin this BS narrative.
    - Will Ashton
      
      Well, considering she refers to herself and identifies herself as Gracie, which is typically a girl’s name, I’m going to believe she’s a girl. Unless the writer states otherwise, that’s what I’m going to believe. Sure, misdirection could be happening here, but I, personally, don’t believe that’s the case. Of course, you’re free to believe whatever you want to believe.
      
      Also, I’m solely referring to Suicide Squad’s film quality as I see it, not its box office records.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        but I, personally, don’t believe that’s the case.
        
        Annnd, with this one statement, you completely missed the point.
        
        I get that you’re not a journalist, but you are at least pretending to be one. Unless you’ve confirmed this person’s identity, you owe it to the integrity of your “profession” to refer to the writer as “this person”, or “them/they”, until expressly confirmed otherwise.
        
        If it turns out that this person is actually the opposite from what you “personally believe”, are you gonna issue a statement in which you retract your “personal belief” here?
        
        Also, I’m solely referring to Suicide Squad’s film quality as I see it, not its box office records.
        
        Again, that’s a bias that someone in your profession doesn’t get to have. You’d already said what you had to say about the film in your “review”. This article isn’t a review, and thus your feelings about it are irrelevant.
        
        But even if you wanted to include that sentiment in the article, there are easily a half-dozen ways that it could have been worded, to make it at least appear to be balanced.
        
        Quick question: have you received any technical/academic training to be a writer? Also, does this site have any prerequisite qualifications to write for this site?
      - Johnny Risko
        
        OMG. And with that, I quit this site. You, sir, are an idiot.
        
        Signed,
        
        Mrs. Randohandle.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        Not the appropriate attitude to have, dude. That stiff-necked attitude is what turns websites like this into ghost towns. I’m hoping you realize that this is NOT the only place to get comic movie news.
        
        Especially when Umberto hasn’t dropped a scoop on here in MONTHS. In fact, his last scoop was dropped on TWITTER, of all places. Kinda an indicator of where he stands with HH.
        
        Not to mention, you are riding with this dumb &$$ letter, while Umberto has debunked it on his new home site. If that’s not writing on the wall, I don’t know what is.
        
        Plus, you do realize Umberto’s history, with leaving sites, yes?
        
        But hey, SS is a mess, DC sux, this “letter” is authentic, & all is right with the world. Move along citizens, nothing to see here.
  - Steve Steve
    
    Ah, indeed,
Maximillian Pegasus

How can a movie be called a mess before reshoots and 11 months away?
- SAMURAI36
  
  Because, bias.
- Steve Steve
  
  People involved in the ongoing production would be able to see problems during the years of development they’ve already done.
  
  I would not accept the word of an anonymous, angry former employee, but neither would I accept the word of a Producer, Director, or other WB(or other studio) avatar who comes out in defense of the thing they are working on.
  
  The reality seems that negative rumblings will get a lot of traction until DC proves them wrong. The proof is in the print that hits screens next July.
Bruce Norris

Who, in their right mind, would reveal themselves when writing something like this?! I would think they want A JOB in the future. Can’t get that when ya got “stool pigeon” on ya resume. : )
- SAMURAI36
  
  Because, given A) the insular nature of Hollywood, and B) how easy it is to track stuff on the internet, the result is exactly the same if/when you are ferreted out.
  
  IF (and that’s a huge “IF”) this “letter” is authentic, then they only did themselves a disservice anyway, anonymous or otherwise.
  - Bruce Norris
    
    Dude, if this person is right, I’ll take her on my team. I want someone to “call me on s#!t”. If she’s someone I can value when it comes to film, then together we can get more $#!t right than wrong.
    - SAMURAI36
      
      Lemme get this right: You want someone who is gonna blab your business all out in the street, and air your dirty laundry to the public? Good luck with that. This is why such people don’t last long in that profession, which requires a strict level of confidentiality in order to properly function.
      
      Me personally, that is NOT a person I want on their team, and judging by the looks/sounds of it, Keivn T. was completely right for laying her &$$ off (assuming there’s any truth to this “letter” to begin with, which I highly doubt there is).
      - Bruce Norris
        
        I feel so strong about my business that I don’t care. The understanding is that you COME TO ME FIRST. The only reason anything else would happen is because I “poo poo’d” you telling me I messed up in the first place. You wouldn’t be on my team if I didn’t respect your opinion to begin with. We “ride it out” and see who’s right. Apologize behind closed doors and we move on.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        The problem with this, is that A) this is NOT how Hollywood works, and B) we don’t know what the writer’s job title was in the first place (again, if this is even a real thing).
        
        We don’t know if they were a studio exec, or someone that works in the mail room. We literally have ZERO information by which to form an opinion, let alone take the “letter” itself seriously.
        
        But if the writer was someone low on the totem pole, then why would you expect the PRESIDENT of the company to listen to this person’s “complaints” (re: rants)? What company do you know (aside from yours, apparently) where that’s the case?
        
        OTOH, if they are high on the totem pole, then their circle is even smaller, and it becomes even easier to narrow it down to who it might be. Ref: the Sony email leaks. And then NO ONE will work with them after that. They would be labeled as poison in an industry that relies heavily on strict confidentiality (which is why all sorts of NDA’s are signed, even by employees).
      - Bruce Norris
        
        Executive or janitor. If they’re right,…it’s right. Promotion? The idea is to create “Great Cinema”.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        I keep trying to drive the point home, that none of what you are saying, is how Hollywood works.
      - Bruce Norris
        
        No kidding, got my experiences. My point is how it works doesn’t work much. I’m giving you my take on what I’d do (see above).
      - SAMURAI36
        
        The various studios are making hundreds of millions of dollars every year, so they are doing something right.
      - Bruce Norris
        
        They could stand to do better and we could enjoy more. “DEADPOOL” was the last movie I paid to see IN THE THEATER. Not that I don’t want to go, not much has made me WANT /CAN’T WAIT to go. Add more like me that = lost $.
      - SAMURAI36
        
        I understand that that’s how YOU feel. And I’m sure there are plenty of others that feel the same way you do. However, none of you that share your sentiment are bankrupting Hollywood.
      - Bruce Norris
        
        Glad we’ve come to an understanding. My goal is to get THAT money. The rest can come see me if/when they get ready : )
Steve Steve

I swear to God, if Wonder Woman is another mess, I’ll, I’ll… I’ll still see everything DC puts out… I feel shame.
clownprince2acnt

lol dc is a joke
Napi

Man… am I the only one that finds Patty Jenkins hot?
- SAMURAI36
  
  I can definitely see why you’d say that. Cool profile pic, BTW.
- Marquis de Sade
  
  Nawww, Junior, you just got an Oedipus Complex.
  - Napi
    
    “hey look everybody! I’m Marquis de Sade, i’m an intellectual that wears Fedora and I hate DC Comics only to look cool” hahahaha go away fagg, you keep calling me Junior ’cause you don’t have nothing else to say to me, your IDOL xd XD LOL!!