Things are shaping up well for Wonder Woman 2. After a long period of negotiating, Warner Bros. announced Patty Jenkins would return to direct the highly anticipated sequel, with a massive pay increase that would make her one of the highest paid female filmmakers in the industry. She will also be co-writing the script with Geoff Johns.

Now the two will be joined by an “Expendable” writer. But it’s not that kind of expendable. New reports confirm that The Expendables co-writer Dave Callaham will be joining the team. More on the story below.

Variety says Jenkins put in the request for Callaham to join her in writing the script. Now that request isn’t exactly out of the blue. The two had worked on a movie called Jackpot, a remake of the 2011 Norwegian action comedy set to star Mila Kunis and Bryan Cranston.

But it appears that Jenkins had been considering bringing Callaham on board long before the deal was struck. In fact, it went as far back as when she started writing Wonder Woman 2 when it became clear that the first movie was going to be a hit.

For one thing, she is working with people whom she trusts. Having already penned the script with Callaham on Jackpot; and having written Wonder Woman with Johns, it seems to make sense that she brings in people she knows she can work with. While it’s unclear what the film could be about early rumors say that it could set in 1980s America during the end of the Cold War. There is also some indication that Chris Pine could return as Steve Trevor, although they would have to explain how they resurrected him considering that the sequel could be another period piece and we’ve seen Diana run around saving the world in the present.

The hire comes after she signed on to direct the sequel. While it was challenging to get there, Jenkins was the person holding all the cards. She delivered a highly entertaining film, which is practically unheard of when it comes to the DCEU. Wonder Woman was also one of the highest grossing films of a rather lackluster summer. Repeat viewings gave it the legs to get there. It was also praised by many critics for being lighter and more optimistic than any of the other DCEU films.

In addition to The Expendables, Callaham also wrote the screenplays for Doom and Tell Tale, and provided the story for Godzilla.

Wonder Woman 2 is tentatively scheduled for a December 13, 2019, release.

[Source: Variety]