Wonder Woman: Connie Nielsen Cast As Hippolyta
By Steve Lam
Via The Hollywood Reporter, we have news that Danish actress Connie Nielsen has been cast as Hippolyta in Wonder Woman. Hippolyta is, of course, Queen of the Amazons and, most importantly, mother of Princess Diana, Wonder Woman.
Connie Nielsen made her feature film debut in the Jerry Lewis French film Par où t’es rentré ? On t’a pas vu sortir (1984). In 1988, she appeared in the Italian mini-series Colletti Bianchi. Nielsen came to the attention of American audiences when she appeared in The Devil’s Advocate (1997) playing the part of Christabella Andreoli opposite Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, and Charlize Theron, who was also just starting her acting career at that time.
Nielsen later went on to appear in Permanent Midnight (1998), Rushmore (1998), and Soldier (1998). Her most famous role to-date was playing Lucilla in Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning film Gladiator (2000) starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Since then, Nielsen has mainly starred in American films which included Mission to Mars (2000), One Hour Photo (2002), The Hunted (2003, and Basic (2003).
Created by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter, Hippolyta (initially spelled as “Hippolyte” until the 1960s) made her first appearance in All Star Comics #8 (December 1941). As the mother of Princess Diana, who would later become Wonder Woman, Hippolyta is Queen of the Amazons and leads her warriors on Paradise Island, which is now presently known as Themyscira. The character’s history and origins are as rich as any well-known DC character and has gone through many retcons and changes throughout the years since her debut.
I have to say that I am quite impressed by this casting. They couldn’t have picked a better actress to portray such an important role. Tall, regal, and elegant, Connie Nielsen embodies the character of Hippolyta perfectly.
Connie Nielsen will be the fifth actress to portray a live-action incarnation of the character. The first live-action incarnation of Hippolyta appeared in the 1974 television movie Wonder Woman starring Cathy Lee Crosby in the title role. Here, Hippolyta, known as Queen Hippolyte in the movie, was played by Charlene Holt. The next three live-action incarnations of Hippolyta appeared in the 1975 Wonder Woman television series which starred Lynda Carter in the title role. Here, the role of Queen Hippolyta was played by three different actresses in various episodes throughout the series run: Cloris Leachman, Carolyn Jones, and Beatrice Straight.
Currently, for Wonder Woman, principal photography is underway and filming has started in the United Kingdom. Warner Bros. and everyone involved has been mum about the plot of the upcoming 2017 film, but recent rumors have stated that Ares will play a large behind-the-scenes role in the film. And the character of Circe, who will be controlled by Ares, will be the main villain for the Goddess of Truth.
Next: Wonder Woman: On-Set Pics Confirm World War I Setting
Wonder Woman has a release date of June 23, 2017. It will be produced by Zack Snyder and Deborah Snyder with Charles Roven and Richard Suckle of Atlas Entertainment, directed by Patty Jenkins, written by Jason Fuchs, and stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, and Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Ewen Bremner, Saïd Taghmaoui, Lucy Davis, and Elena Anaya in undisclosed roles.
Fans can get their first look at Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe when she makes her silver screen debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice which has a United States release date of March 25, 2016.