Earlier today, Marvel Studios added yet another esteemed actor to its impeccably cast Doctor Strange movie. However, not to be outdone, the folks over at Warner Bros./DC have their own major casting coup impending. Per The Wrap, Nicole Kidman is in talks to join the cast of Wonder Woman in the role of a high-ranking Amazonian warrior. Should the deal make, Kidman would star opposite Gal Gadot, who makes her debut as the titular hero in next spring’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

This is impressive news to say the least, as the Oscar-winner makes a welcome addition to the Warner Bros. ensemble. The report goes on to speculate that Kidman may be playing the Queen of the Amazons, Hyppolyta, who in the comics happens to be Diana Prince’s mother. Though it remains to be seen A. If Kidman is actually playing Hyppolyta and B. How closely the storyline of Wonder Woman will follow the comics. After all, Man of Steel was a pretty significant departure from canon.


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Image via HBO

Monster helmer Patty Jenkins is directing the first female-led superhero film of the modern era (ie. post-Iron Man), which also has Chris Pine onboard to play love interest Steve Trevor. Recent rumors surfaced that the picture will take place mostly in the modern era with flashbacks to World War I, but the involvement of Kidman as an Amazonian warrior signals we may be going back to Wonder Woman’s origins at some point in the film.

Jenkins is shooting Wonder Woman on film, and it’s a big movie not just for Warner Bros. but for the superhero genre in general. We're way overdue for a female-led superhero movie, and I'm happy that Warner Bros. appears to be doing it right by setting a talented woman at the helm and filling out the cast with swell performers. Who else might be signing on? If Kidman's deal closes she may lead the way for more esteemed actors to follow, so stay tuned. Wonder Woman is slated for release on June 23, 2017.

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Image via Warner Bros.