A Peek Into Themyscira and the Women Who Will Shape ‘Wonder Woman’

Batman v Superman opens nationwide today yet the majority of goodwill from the movie seems already squarely reserved for Wonder Woman (aka Diana Prince), the iconic DC Comics Amazonian princess who makes her big-screen debut in the Warner Bros. tentpole. Portrayed by Israeli-born actress Gal Gadot (Triple 9) and soon to headline long-in-the-works standalone Wonder Woman film, the character appears ripe and ready for her screen close-up. Right on the cusp of Batman v Superman‘s release, Entertainment Weekly offered a brand new, sepia-soaked image showcasing Wonder Woman’s home of Themyscira as well as the warrior women who helped mold her path to superhero-doom.

Directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster) with script by Jason Fuchs (Pan), the upcoming Wonder Woman explores the origins of princess who decides to leave her idyllic island home on a quest to become a kick-ass superhero. Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) portrays Hippolyta, Themyscira’s queen and mother to Diana. The budding superhero’s gifts are also formed by General Antiope (Lisa Loven Kongsli, Force Majeure) and Menalippe (Robin Wright, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), warriors in their own right and Diana’s aunts. The film also stars Chris Pine (Into the Woods), Danny Huston (Big Eyes) and David Thewlis (who recently voiced the lead in Charlie Kaufman’s Anomalisa).

The image above highlights of the beatific splendor of Themyscira (the DC-created island nation was partially filmed on Italy’s Amalfi coast) but, rightfully, puts the women front and center. Wonder Woman is still currently filming but finally fulfills the promise of Wonder Woman feature (as far back as 2007, The Avengers director Joss Whedon was commissioned to write and direct a film version that never came to light). The film also marks a major effort for a female-led superhero film – something in which rival Marvel has yet to accomplish.

Wonder Woman is slated to release in theaters on June 23, 2017; The Justice League Part One is set to follow on November 17, 2017. For now, you can see Gadot in action in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.