Written Interview: Michael Jelenic

Today’s interview is with TV and screenwriter Michael Jelenic. His writing credits include “Jackie Chan Adventures” (4 episodes, 2002–2003), “The Batman” (3 episodes, 2005–2006), “Legion of Super Heroes” (3 episodes, 2007–2008), and the animated movie Wonder Woman (2009) (V) (screenplay) (story). Some excerpts:

Michael, you wrote the screenplay for “Wonder Woman.” What’s it like bringing this iconic character into a full-length feature film?

You know, Wonder Woman is a tough character. There isn’t necessarily a definitive version, although a lot of fans will argue that they have their own sort of definitive version. Does she fly or does she use the invisible jet? Is she as strong as Superman or is she as strong as the other Amazons? There’s sort of a checklist I have to go down to determine what her character is. That was a bit challenging.

Mostly, I wanted to go for all the iconic things that the general public [would recognize]. I wanted this to be a Wonder Woman that would be accessible not just to hardcore fans but people in general. So you put in the lasso of truth and the invisible jet.

By the way, I know the flying thing is a huge deal [with fans], but she either flies an invisible jet or she [herself] flies. Just from a storytelling point of view, the invisible jet is a little bit more interesting and iconic, so that’s sort of why I went in that direction. And the flying thing wasn’t just my decision, by the way. I don’t mind that she doesn’t fly, but apparently I should! [Laughs]

How did you feel, being a man writing a screenplay for a female iconic figure? Did you feel like you really had to speak for women a little bit?

I think I worried more — I always say, if you write Batman and people don’t like your interpretation of the character, then you just suck as a writer. If you write Wonder Woman and they don’t like your interpretation, then you’re sexist! Very daunting. I read the message boards and it’s like, some people think it’s a deliberate choice that she doesn’t fly, a deliberate choice to depower her. That’s really not our point of view. I will say that [“Wonder Woman” comics writer] Gail Simone was involved early on and she sort of set a lot of character personalities and character relationships and I used her early work as a blueprint. She helped me as far as getting in my head the voices of certain characters.

As far as writing for women — I think if you know specifically what the character’s motivations are, then it’s not so difficult. I think if you watch the movie, all the major characters have specific motivations and you know what’s pushing them forward. That’s sort of what guides them forward.

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HT to Rob Fuller for sourcing this interview.