‘Wonder Woman 1984’ First Look: Patty Jenkins Shares Image of Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva/Cheetah

At long last, we finally have a first look at Kristen Wiig in Wonder Woman 1984, the sequel to last year’s blockbuster DC Extended Universe film starring Gal Gadot. It’s a long time coming, with the only images we could ever get as close to imagining Wiig coming from fan artworks.

Director Patty Jenkins took to Twitter today to share an image of Wiig as Dr. Barbara Minerva, AKA Cheetah, in what looks like a scene before the villain got her powers. Check it out below:

Enter Barbara Minerva… #WW84 pic.twitter.com/56f8Diu7So

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) June 27, 2018

Although we can’t see much of “Cheetah” in the picture, it does show Wiig in character as Dr. Minerva. In the comics, Dr. Minerva is a British archaeologist who would do anything to secure an artifact. In an expedition to discover the lost city of the Urzkartagan tribe in the African jungle, Dr. Minerva’s team was attacked by members of the tribe. Minerva fled, together with Dr. Tom Leavens. Luckily, both found the lost city, while its inhabitants performed a ritual for their cheetah god. Chuma, the tribe’s high priest, was in the middle of the ritual when outsiders attacked them. Minerva and Leavens saved Chuma.

When Minerva learned about the specifics of the ritual from Chuma, she demanded it to be performed on her, in hopes of gaining power and immortality. When Chuma said that a sacrifice had to be done, Minerva killed Dr. Leavens and went through the entire ordeal. The ritual turned out successful, with Minerva turning into Cheetah, slaying the attackers of the lost city.

It’s unclear how Wonder Woman 1984 will address Cheetah’s origin, but given how she’s been a staple Wonder Woman villain since 1987, it would be very likely that her origins would somehow stick to how she was introduced in the comics.

Next month, Gadot will be bringing a “massive surprise” for fans at the San Diego Comic-Con 2018. Who knows what the actress will have with her, but it will surely bring Hall H down with the excitement that comes with the anticipation for Wonder Woman 1984.

Wonder Woman 1984 is slated for a November 1, 2019 release.