McG Joins NBC's "Wonder Woman"?

McG Joins NBC's "Wonder Woman"?

Television News

By our guest bloggers, Matt Jussim and Nick Hanover

After years of numerous studios and filmmakers trying to bring Wonder Woman to the big screen, NBC is hoping that a television series is the way to finally "lasso" in some success. After initially passing on the reboot of the iconic character, NBC green lit the project, which is produced by David E. Kelley ("Boston Legal," "Harry's Law").

Kelley is in charge of developing the pilot for the series, and according to TV Line, it looks as if the project is close to adding a director. "Terminator Salvation"-helmer McG has emerged as the leading candidate to direct the pilot of the new series.

Say what you will about McG's skills as a director, but he has proved over the years that he has a knack for television. He currently is the executive producer for four series airing on television right now: "Nikita," "Human Target," "Supernatural" and "Chuck," and in the past he directed the pilots for "Chuck" and "Fastlane."

His past television work makes McG a great fit for this project, and after years of trouble bringing the character to the screen, he could be a reason why the show will get picked up if it does. Between his work on "Chuck" and "The O.C.," he has done a great job with female characters and emotional drama, which should be a big part of the new series.

McG is, of course, also is a veteran of reviving cheesy '70s television properties that like to masquerade as female empowerment statements, with his part in the "Charlie's Angels" franchise and all.

CinemaSpy is also throwing itself into the rumor game, claiming that Minka Kelly from "Friday Night Lights" was in talks to star as Wonder Woman at one point and then pointing out that Lake Bell has offered herself to Kelley for the title role. Linda Carter's boots will be difficult for anyone to fill but it's likely Kelley will go the "Smallville" route and pick an unknown. When the film version was being discussed, plenty of A-Listers were tossed around by the peanut gallery of the Internet, namely Angelina Jolie, but Kelley doesn't appear to want "Wonder Woman" to be a glammy spectacle.

The more important question, of course, is how McG will be able to handle the duties of running "Wonder Woman" when he's supposed to be ushering in the apocalypse with his "Ouija" film.

NBC hopes to have the show ready for next fall.