# Patty Jenkins

> American film director

**Wikidata**: [Q456910](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q456910)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patty_Jenkins)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/patty-jenkins

## Summary

Patty Jenkins is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer best known for directing the blockbuster superhero films Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), making her the first woman to direct a major superhero film. Her directorial debut Wonder Woman became one of the highest-grossing films directed by a woman, grossing over $822 million worldwide and receiving critical acclaim with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score.

## Biography

- **Born**: July 24, 1971
- **Nationality**: American
- **Education**: Cooper Union (private college in New York City, founded 1859); AFI Conservatory (private film school in Los Angeles, California, founded 1969)
- **Known for**: Directing the first solo female-led superhero film in the DC Extended Universe; becoming the highest-grossing female director in history (at the time of Wonder Woman's release)
- **Employer(s)**: Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, RatPac-Dune Entertainment
- **Field(s)**: Film direction, screenwriting, television directing, film production

## Contributions

- **Wonder Woman (2017)**: Directed the first solo feature film for the DC Comics character Wonder Woman, starring Gal Gadot. The film grossed $822,854,286 worldwide against a $149 million budget, making it one of the highest-grossing films directed by a woman. Received a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.7/10 on IMDb, and 76/100 on Metacritic. Won multiple awards including the Empire Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Saturn Award for Best Actress (Gal Gadot), and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble.

- **Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)**: Directed the sequel to Wonder Woman, starring Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, with Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva/Cheetah and Pedro Pascal as Maxwell Lord. The film had a budget of $200 million and grossed $166.5 million worldwide. Runtime was 151 minutes. Released December 25, 2020 in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic with a simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max release.

- **Television Work**: Directed the television pilot and episode "The Killing" before gaining recognition with her blockbuster film work.

- **Industry Impact**: Became the first woman to direct a major superhero film, fundamentally changing Hollywood's approach to female-led action films and proving that female-led superhero movies could achieve both critical acclaim and massive commercial success.

## FAQs

**What is Patty Jenkins best known for?**
Patty Jenkins is best known for directing Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), the first solo female-led superhero films in the DC Extended Universe, making her the first woman to direct a major superhero film.

**Where did Patty Jenkins receive her education?**
Patty Jenkins studied at Cooper Union in New York City and graduated from the AFI Conservatory (American Film Institute) in Los Angeles, California.

**How successful was Wonder Woman at the box office?**
Wonder Woman (2017) grossed $822,854,286 worldwide, with $412,845,172 from domestic US box office and $103,251,471 from international markets, against a $149 million budget.

**What awards did Wonder Woman win?**
Wonder Woman won numerous awards including the Empire Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, MTV Movie Award for Best Fight, Satellite Award for Best Original Score, Saturn Award for Best Actress (Gal Gadot), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble, and Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie - Action.

**What makes Patty Jenkins historically significant in film?**
Patty Jenkins became the highest-grossing female director in history (at the time of Wonder Woman's release) and the first woman to direct a major superhero film, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated genre and paving the way for more female directors in blockbuster cinema.

**What is Patty Jenkins' connection to the Directors Guild of America?**
Patty Jenkins has received recognition from the Directors Guild of America, an award organization founded in 1938 in the United States.

## Why They Matter

Patty Jenkins matters as a transformative figure in mainstream cinema who demonstrated that female-led superhero films could achieve unprecedented commercial and critical success. Her direction of Wonder Woman (2017) fundamentally challenged industry assumptions about who could direct big-budget blockbuster films and opened doors for more female directors in the superhero genre and action cinema broadly.

Her work represented a landmark moment for representation in mainstream cinema. Wonder Woman became the first major female-led superhero film in the modern blockbuster era, proving the viability of female protagonists in traditionally male-dominated genres. Gal Gadot's portrayal of Wonder Woman under Jenkins' direction became an iconic representation of female strength and heroism, inspiring young girls and women worldwide and extending into fashion, merchandise, and popular culture discussions about gender representation in media.

The success of Wonder Woman stabilized the DC Extended Universe, offering a more hopeful and emotionally resonant narrative compared to earlier entries in the franchise. Jenkins demonstrated that superhero films could balance action with character development and emotional depth, influencing the trajectory of the broader superhero genre.

Her follow-up film Wonder Woman 1984, despite facing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to expand the character's story and explore themes of power, identity, and sacrifice. The film's hybrid theatrical and streaming release strategy reflected broader industry shifts in response to the pandemic, demonstrating Jenkins' adaptability and the industry's evolving distribution models.

Jenkins' achievement as the highest-grossing female director (at the time) established her as a sought-after director in Hollywood and changed conversations about the commercial potential of films directed by women. Her work has influenced subsequent decisions to develop more films with female protagonists in superhero and action genres, contributing to an ongoing shift in Hollywood's approach to representation.

## Notable For

- First woman to direct a major superhero film
- Highest-grossing film directed by a woman at the time of Wonder Woman's release ($822 million worldwide)
- First solo female-led superhero film in the DC Extended Universe
- Directed Wonder Woman (2017), which received the highest Rotten Tomatoes score (93%) among DCEU films at the time
- Directed Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), the sequel exploring Diana Prince during the Cold War era
- Received recognition from the Directors Guild of America Award
- Broke box office records for female-directed films
- Pioneered representation of female empowerment in blockbuster cinema

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Patty Jenkins was born on July 24, 1971. She pursued her education in the arts at Cooper Union, a private college in New York City founded in 1859. She further developed her filmmaking skills at the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles, California, one of the premier film schools in the United States, established in 1969. Her training at these institutions provided the foundation for her career in film and television direction.

### Career Beginnings

Jenkins began her professional career in 1995, initially working in television before transitioning to feature film direction. Her early work included directing the television pilot and an episode for "The Killing," a crime drama series that helped establish her credentials in television direction. This experience in television provided her with the opportunity to develop her directorial skills and build a portfolio that would eventually lead to her breakthrough in feature filmmaking.

### Breakthrough with Wonder Woman

Jenkins' career reached a historic milestone when she was hired to direct Wonder Woman (2017), becoming the first woman to direct a major superhero film. The film served as the first solo feature film for the iconic DC Comics character Wonder Woman and the fourth installment in the DC Extended Universe.

Wonder Woman starred Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, an Amazonian warrior princess who leaves her hidden island Themyscira to confront the god Ares during World War I. The film also featured Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Danny Huston as General Erich Ludendorff, Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Robin Wright as General Antiope, and Elena Anaya as Dr. Maru.

The film was produced by RatPac-Dune Entertainment, DC Studios (then known as DC Films, rebranded in 2022), Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Tencent Pictures, with a production budget of $149 million. Principal photography involved extensive preparation for the action sequences and Gal Gadot's physical transformation for the role.

Wonder Woman premiered in various territories in early June 2017, with wide releases in the United States beginning June 2, 2017. The film received positive reviews from critics who praised Jenkins' direction, Gadot's performance, the action sequences, and the film's emotional depth. The film holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a 7.7/10 on IMDb, and a 76/100 Metacritic score.

The commercial performance exceeded expectations, grossing $822,854,286 worldwide ($412,845,172 domestic, $103,251,471 international), making it one of the highest-grossing superhero origin films and the highest-grossing film directed by a woman at the time. The success was attributed to positive word-of-mouth, Gal Gadot's breakout performance, and the film's broad appeal across demographics.

### Wonder Woman 1984 and Continued Work

Jenkins returned to direct the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released on December 25, 2020. The film continued the story of Diana Prince, now set against the backdrop of 1980s Cold War tensions. The cast included Gal Gadot reprising her role, Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva/Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Maxwell Lord, and Chris Pine returning as Steve Trevor.

The film had a budget of $200 million and grossed $166.5 million worldwide ($45.8 million domestic, $120.7 million international), significantly underperforming compared to its predecessor due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on theatrical releases. The film received mixed reviews, holding a 58% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.7/10 rating on IMDb.

Wonder Woman 1984 was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max due to pandemic restrictions, reflecting the industry's shifting distribution strategies during the health crisis. Despite the challenges, the film was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure Film and the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Action.

### Awards and Recognition

Wonder Woman received numerous awards and nominations recognizing Jenkins' direction and the film's achievements. The film won the Empire Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, MTV Movie Award for Best Fight, Satellite Award for Best Original Score, Saturn Award for Best Actress (Gal Gadot), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture, and Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie - Action.

Jenkins has received recognition from the Directors Guild of America, an organization founded in 1938 that honors outstanding achievements in film and television direction. Her work has established her as a pioneering figure in blockbuster filmmaking.

### Industry Influence and Legacy

Patty Jenkins' impact on the film industry extends beyond her directorial achievements. Her success with Wonder Woman fundamentally changed Hollywood's approach to female-led action films, proving that films with female protagonists in traditionally male-dominated genres could achieve both critical acclaim and massive commercial success.

Her achievement as the first woman to direct a major superhero film challenged industry assumptions about who could helm large-scale blockbuster productions. This milestone opened doors for more female directors in the superhero genre and action cinema broadly, influencing subsequent decisions to develop more projects featuring female protagonists.

Gal Gadot's portrayal of Wonder Woman under Jenkins' direction became an iconic representation of female strength and heroism, inspiring young girls and women worldwide. The character's cultural impact extended beyond cinema into fashion, merchandise, and popular culture discussions about gender representation in media.

Jenkins demonstrated that superhero films could balance action with character development and emotional depth, bringing a different tone to the DC Extended Universe that was more hopeful and emotionally resonant compared to earlier entries in the franchise. Her positive reception helped stabilize the DC film universe and showed that superhero narratives could incorporate meaningful character development.

### Personal Brand and Public Presence

Patty Jenkins maintains an active public presence with the Twitter handle @PattyJenks. Her work has been recognized across multiple platforms, with Wikipedia entries in 35 language editions. Her IMDb profile (nm0420941) documents her filmography, and she has various digital identifiers across professional platforms.

Her full name is Patricia Lea "Patty" Jenkins, and she holds American citizenship. Her career spans from her early television work in 1995 and 2001 to her current status as one of the most successful female directors in Hollywood history.

### Production Companies and Collaborations

Throughout her career, Jenkins has worked with major Hollywood studios including Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios (formerly DC Films), and RatPac-Dune Entertainment. These collaborations have enabled her to bring ambitious projects like the Wonder Woman films to life on a blockbuster scale, working with some of the largest production companies in the entertainment industry.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. datos.bne.es
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. MusicBrainz
7. filmportal.de
8. Munzinger Personen
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. CONOR.SI
11. BBC Things
12. The Movie Database