Image via Complex/Sho Hanafusa / Getty Images/Jason LaVeris
In June of 2017, Warner Bros. proved that their DC Extended Universe wasn't a total fail by releasing Wonder Woman, which not only became a critical darling but also broke loads of records at the box office. Directed by Patty Jenkins, it proved that a superhero film led by a strong woman could do just as well as any male-led superhero extravaganza.
It wasn't a surprise that DC made sure to extend Gal Gadot's contract to play Wonder Woman so they could usher in Wonder Woman 2 in 2019. Shooting is set to begin this summer, but little has been shared in the way of plot information on the film, aside from confirmation of its villain: Cheetah. She has spent decades in the pages of the comics sinking her claws into Wonder Woman's reputation, so of course she'd be featured in the second installment in what could arguably be DC's current best franchise.
As these superhero films soldier on, we know that more people who aren't familiar with the comics will be attending. And while you can go in without that knowledge and enjoy a film, it does help to have a sense of what the movie is based on, even if it's to flex on your squad and sound like the comic book nerd we know you're dying to be. Whatever your situation is, here's a quick explainer on the villain who will be giving Wonder Woman a run for her money in Wonder Woman 2.
There have been four Cheetahs.
Over time, comic book readers have seen their beloved heroes being portrayed by multiple characters. For example, Falcon has held the Captain America mantle, a horse-faced alien has had the powers of Thor, and when Superman died, there were four different people operating as the Man of Steel (or in his likeness). The same thing happens with comic book villains, with one big example being the four different people portraying the Cheetah.
Truth be told, the first two Cheetahs are mostly forgettable. The first was Priscilla Rich, who was introduced to readers in 1943, with the second being Deborah Domaine, who was initially written as Priscilla's cousin. The third Cheetah, Barbara Ann Minerva, has been the most prominent and is said to be the version of Cheetah who will be featured in Wonder Woman 2. It makes sense, since this is the Cheetah that Wonder Woman fans have grown up with, and it makes more sense than the fourth incarnation of Cheetah, tycoon Sebastian Ballesteros.
Fun fact: In 2011, when DC Comics went through their "New 52" reboot across their entire line of comics, Minerva was the only Cheetah to survive. Both Rich and Domaine were relegated to aliases that Minerva used, as was Sabrina Ballesteros. Probably for the best, TBH.
Cheetah is immortal.
Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva's journey to becoming Cheetah is one of those "be careful what you wish for" situations. Minerva was an archaeologist from a well-off family who stumbled upon the lore of the Cheetah while exploring Africa. The story went that there was a guardian of a tribe in Africa who had the powers of the cheetah but was murdered by a squad of marauders. Minerva heard that if she received those powers the guardian possessed, she would become immortal, so she was like, "hell yeah, let's do it." After drinking a little human blood and eating some leaves and berries from the ancient plant god Urzkartaga, Minerva became the Cheetah...with one huge issue.
Basically, anyone taking on the Cheetah persona is supposed to be a virgin. Minerva was not at the time she assumed the persona, which causes her severe pain when she is walking around as a human, while giving her massive bloodlust while in the Cheetah form.
Either way, Cheetah has some awesome abilities, including super speed, strength, and cat-like reflexes (as well as some sharp fangs and claws). She's also able to see in the dark and has an enhanced sense of smell.
She wants Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth.
As you should already know, one of Wonder Woman's greatest weapons is her Golden Lasso of Truth, which she uses to literally choke the truth out of her foes. Minerva, being an archaeologist, wants to add said Lasso to her collection. At first, Minerva just tries to obtain the Lasso through shady means; at one point, she even gets to hold it in her hands, but the Lasso's power forces Minerva to tell the truth about why she wants it. With her words failing her, she resorts to the power of the Cheetah to try to strong-arm the Lasso from Wonder Woman. After a while, with her inability to obtain the Lasso, Cheetah just wants to beat Wonder Woman's ass to feel better about initially getting whupped.
After DC's full-line reboot, the pasts of Wonder Woman and Cheetah were changed, with Minerva and Diana (neé Prince, Wonder Woman's alias) actually being colleagues at one point. The interesting shift is that Diana is the one who piques Minerva's interest in going to Africa, which leads to her becoming the Cheetah, which Minerva resents Diana for. Ultimately, it starts their beef.
Cheetah will be played by Kristen Wiig.
What was initially deemed to be a rumor at the end of February became reality in early March of 2018 as it was confirmed that Kristen Wiig, well-known for her comedic work, would be taking up the mantle of Cheetah in Wonder Woman 2. Wiig spent seven years becoming a star on Saturday Night Live before getting acclaim in Hollywood with major looks in Bridesmaids and Anchorman 2. Once she left SNL, Wiig turned it up, being featured in everything from the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters to Downsizing and even being featured in 2017's polarizing mother!
It will be interesting to see how Cheetah is written for Wonder Woman 2. While we imagine it won't be as zany as Jim Carrey's turn as The Riddler in 1995's Batman Forever, Wiig could have some fun with the transformation of Minerva into the Cheetah, although at some point, she'll have to play things more serious and sinister to make Cheetah a true threat. Wiig has time though; Wonder Woman 2 might be shooting in the summer of 2018, but it's not set to hit theaters until November of 2019. The potential is there, and hopefully, DC can strike gold twice with the Wonder Woman sequel.