Kristen Wiig on Playing ‘Cheetah’ in Wonder Woman 1984

Releasing in theaters and on HBO Max Christmas day, the latest entry in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) sees Gal Gadot once again dawning her iconic armor and bracelets in Wonder Woman 1984, directed by Patty Jenkins.

Starring opposite of Gal Gadot will be none other than Saturday Night Live (SNL) alum and star of Despicable Me and Bridesmaids, Kristen Wiig. Wiig plays Barbara Minerva aka Cheetah long-time nemesis to Wonder Woman in the long-running comic series.

She sat down to speak with Dave Morales about the highly anticipated sequel and the rigorous physical challenges it presented.

Wiig eagerly spoke about her role in the upcoming film, “It was bittersweet. I have never been more excited but I couldn’t tell anybody,” she said. “I couldn’t even tell my agent, I was talking to Patty (Jenkins) and I couldn’t say what the project was.”  

Although Wiig is best known for her comedic acting skills, it came as a surprise to many when it was announced that she would be playing the classic DC villain Cheetah.

However, no one was more surprised than her, “I’m still in shock that she thought of me and that I got to do it,  it was such a dream of mine,” said Wiig. “I loved the first one and I see all the superhero movies in the theater because I’m a nerd and I was really excited about it.” 

While chasing after Wonder Woman in the film may be an impossible task, Wiig explained how doing it in high heels was another difficulty altogether. “It was difficult, it was not easy, we had special boots made for the character, but I had an amazing trainer in Jenny Pacey, she pushed me so hard and running a huge part of our training.” 

Wiig endured months of training to get into super villain shape and go head to head with Gal Gadot. “It was a lot but I loved every minute of it when I could walk,” she said. “We started training months before we started shooting and it was a combination of getting physically fit, working with a trainer, and all of the stunts and choreography.”

Speaking of the fight choreography Wiig added “It was really detailed and you’ll see that the fighting between us is different and it’s almost like a dance,” she said. “I love how she (Patty) put it, it’s not two people trying to punch each other in the face but to overpower the other person.”

Everyone has a superpower they would choose if they became a superhero, Wiig picked hers for more practical reasons. “Flight. I think it would just be easier and you wouldn’t have to have a parking space or anything,“ she said.  

Gal Gadot, Kristen Wiig, Chris Pine, and Pedro Pascal will star in Wonder Woman 1984, released in theaters and on HBO Max, Christmas Day 2020.

Article written by Michael Taggart