Wonder Woman 1984, the sequel to the successful 2017 Wonder Woman film directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot, is scheduled for release in June 2020. An official trailer has now been released and the sequel promises the return of Chris Pine's Steve Trevor as well as the introduction of Cheetah, one of Wonder Woman's primary antagonists from the comics.
With fan-favorite characters expected to appear in the film, many fans have speculated as to whether other prominent figures from the Wonder Woman comics will also have a cameo. Maxwell Lord is confirmed to appear, with the trailer depicting Pedro Pascal's performance as the well-known villain. With extensive DC comic book canon to draw inspiration from, here are ten characters from the comics who could appear in Wonder Woman 1984.
10 Donna Troy
Most of the heroes in DC Comics have sidekicks, including Batman, Superman, and Aquaman, and Wonder Woman is no exception. Donna Troy, also known as the original Wonder Girl, first appeared in the comics in 1965 in The Brave And The Bold Vol 1 #60 and has long been regarded as Diana's younger sister.
Donna's origin has been retconned several times but she is generally portrayed as a civilian raised by the Amazons on Themyscira. Wonder Woman 1984 could adapt this storyline, with Diana rescuing Donna during the film and taking her back to Paradise Island. Donna's introduction could be useful if the Warner Bros intends to release a live-action Teen Titans film in the future.
9 Ares
Ares was the primary antagonist of Wonder Woman, where it was revealed that the God of War is Diana's half-brother. Although he seemingly perished in the first film, no death in the world of comics is without a loophole, and Ares could return for another confrontation with Wonder Woman in the 2020 sequel.
The recent trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 revealed that Steve Trevor returns from the dead and reunites with Diana. If Steve can return then it remains a possibility that Ares could come back to wreak destruction as well.
8 Zeus
Wonder Woman 1984 could introduce other Greek gods from the comics into the DC Extended Universe. It was revealed in Wonder Woman that Diana is the daughter of Zeus, and her father could make an appearance in the sequel.
Zeus takes an interest in Diana in the comics after she defeats Ares and offers to make her a goddess. Wonder Woman 1984 could feature Diana being tempted by her biological father to abandon the world of men for good.
7 Lionel Luthor
According to DCEU canon, 1984 was the year Lex Luthor was born, which means that his father Lionel could make a cameo appearance. It would link the films together to reference other characters from the DCEU as well as giving Diana another human villain to defeat.
Some fans have clamored for Bryan Cranston to appear in the DCEU as Lex Luthor, and this would be a brilliant compromise. Lionel's appearance would be a brief easter egg for fans to theorize over until the next film.
6 Mala
In the comics, Mala was Diana's best friend from Themyscira. She nearly defeated Wonder Woman during the competition to determine which Amazon would go into man's world and has also ventured away from Paradise Island.
The trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 features a clip which could be an adaptation of the competition from the comics. If so, Mala could be introduced in a flashback with Diana reminiscing about the life she left behind.
5 Philippus
Philippus is another Amazonian warrior who first appeared in a Wonder Woman comic in February 1987. She is one of Queen Hippolyta's closest companions and most loyal bodyguards, and the two have been romantically involved in the past.
This would be a great opportunity for Wonder Woman 1984 to include LGBT representation, as well as introduce fans to more of the Amazons.
4 Hawkgirl
The recent trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 featured Diana in her golden eagle armor. The Amazonian demi-goddess looked a lot like iconic DC comic book character Hawkgirl, and it would be a treat for fans if she were to have a cameo in the film.
Diana works in the world of art which could be an opportunity to mention Hawkgirl and her partner Hawkman. Hawkgirl's introduction would broaden the scope of the DCEU and introduce new characters for a Justice League sequel.
3 Circe
Circe is one of Wonder Woman's main antagonists from DC Comics and is based on the Greek sorceress from mythology. She first appeared in 1949 and became one of Diana's most powerful enemies after Crisis On Infinite Earth, triggering a war between the gods.
Circe and Diana have had colossal clashes in the comics which would be a visual delight in a live-action film. A cameo from the dark sorceress could lay the foundation for a sequel to Wonder Woman 1984.
2 Veronica Cale
In the comics, Veronica Cale is a highly intelligent scientist and co-owner of Cale Anderson Pharmaceuticals. Jealous of Wonder Woman's gifts, she feels that Diana is undeserving of her power as her achievements have been handed to her, and has conspired with Circe to bring Diana down.
From the trailer, we can see that Barbara Ann Minerva seems to have a similar origin to Veronica Cale. It could be a product from Cale Pharmaceuticals that transforms her into Cheetah after Barbara takes drastic measures to gain powers and be 'special' like her friend Diana.
1 Hades
Hades is another character from DC Comics who is based on the Greek god of death and the Underworld. He has crossed paths with Diana in the comics though is generally less malevolent than Ares, with Wonder Woman venturing to his realm to rescue one of his prisoners.
With the trailer revealing Steve Trevor's resurrection, Wonder Woman 1984 could feature a confrontation between Diana and Hades as she tries to rescue her lost love. Greek mythology is an important aspect of the Wonder Woman comics and a vital part of who Diana is.