NBC’s Wonder Woman Show Was Made Before Its Time, Says Star

3 years ago

NBC’s Wonder Woman Show Was Made Before Its Time, Says Star

Actress Adrianne Palicki says that her failed NBC Wonder Woman pilot would have succeeded if it had been made just a couple of years later.

Actress Adrianne Palicki reflects on the failed NBC Wonder Woman pilot and says that the show was made before its time. Diana of Themyscira, aka Wonder Woman, has remained one of DC's most popular superheroes throughout the years. Star Lynda Carter brought Wonder Woman to life in the iconic live-action TV show four decades ago; to that regard, Palicki almost had the chance to portray the Amazon princess as well.

David E. Kelley helped spearhead a Wonder Woman television series, which was later picked up by NBC. Palicki was chosen to play Diana Prince, and stars such as Elizabeth Hurley also signed on to the show. However, there was quite a bit of negative feedback in regards to plot details that were released, including Wonder Woman's three identities. While the pilot was supposed to premiere in 2011, NBC backed out of the project altogether and the first episode never aired.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Palicki says she believes the prospective Wonder Woman show was made too early. To that end, she says that the series "would've been a shoo-in" if it had been created even a year or two later. She said, “It was devastating when it didn’t go. It was so big. I feel like maybe if it had been [made] one or two more years [later], it would’ve been a shoo-in.”

NBC's Wonder Woman pilot was filmed the year Smallville ended. However, the superhero film and television craze arguably hadn't reached its peak quite yet. It wasn't until October 2012 that The CW debuted Arrow, a show focused on the adventures of billionaire vigilante Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell). Arrow quickly cemented itself as an exciting, fast-paced superhero show and eventually led the network to build out its greater Arrowverse. All in all, Palicki may very well be right in her prediction: if her Wonder Woman pilot had been pushed back by just a year, it might've been an incredible hit.

Gadot's current portrayal of Wonder Woman has led the hero to become one of the most recognizable characters in the DCEU. Although Wonder Woman 1984 has been delayed multiple times due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, fans hope to see the Amazon warrior on screen sooner rather than later. As for Palicki, she seems to be taking the dropped Wonder Woman pilot in good stride. From her role as Commander Kelly Grayson on The Orville to her portrayal as Bobbi Morse in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., there have been plenty of chances to see Palicki in action. As a result, while she may not be appearing as Wonder Woman anytime soon, Palicki continues to embody a sense of fiery determination and spirit that would make Diana Prince proud.