Geoff Johns Says Watching Patty Jenkins Direct WONDER WOMAN Reminds Him Of Richard Donner

DC Comics' Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns says Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman has him reminiscent of his time as an intern for Richard Donner. Fun fact: Johns' fellow intern was Marvel's Kevin Feige.

By MarkJulian - Feb 22, 2016 10:02 AM EST

Filed Under: Wonder Woman

Though he's famous for his runs on Green Lantern and Justice League, Geoff Johns didn't start out working as a comic book writer. He actually started out in Hollywood, working as an intern and later production assistant for Richard Donner in the late '90s. It was that gig that led to Johns' introduction to key DC Comics personnel and allowed him the opportunity to pitch his ideas. Early on, Donner knew Johns was headed for bigger and better things. "I knew he'd go far, because in the first week on the job, Geoff totaled my new car. But he walked away from it and opened his shirt, and he had a big 'S' under there. The writing was on the wall."

Roughly 18 years later, Johns is arguably the most important figure at DC Comics and serves as a key liaison between the comics publisher and the films of the DCEU and the television programs of DCTV. While making a second trip out to London to visit the set of Patty Jenkins, Johns stated that what he saw reminded him of Donner (and hopefully, Donner's take on Superman). That's high praise for Jenkins and probably an indication that Wonder Woman will break away from the stylized hyper-realism of Zack Snyder.

Amazing watching @PattyJenks at work -- reminds me of Donner! Optimism, energy and all passion! XO
— Geoff Johns (@geoffjohns) February 19, 2016

@geoffjohns Best compliment ever, considering how much his Superman meant to me. And from the best partner... EVER!!!
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) February 22, 2016

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159 Comments

1 2 3 4

GuardianAngel - 2/22/2016, 10:18 AM

Misquote. He said watching the way she works reminds him of how Donner worked, primarily because Geoff Johns began used to work directly under Donner himself. People are going to think the movie is going to resemble Superman, when that's not what he's saying.

Asrchele - 2/22/2016, 11:13 AM

@GuardianAngel - I was thinking just that. I hope you are right.

DavidGray - 2/22/2016, 10:19 AM

Wtf, Johns worked with Donner?

Does he not age??

BabyGroot - 2/22/2016, 10:20 AM

Damn, how old is [frick]ing Geoff Johns??

CWBNGAJEEPGUY85 - 2/22/2016, 10:21 AM

I'll be the first to admit that I questioned the choice for Wonder Woman. And that was my first mistake. Never judge a book by its cover. After seeing her photo that was released awhile back and now seeing her in the trailers, I am totally stoked to see her in this part. She has certainly won me over.
And the little that was shown for the CW special: I'm incredibly impressed.
Black Widow and Scarlet Witch....eat your heart out!

Kyos - 2/22/2016, 10:22 AM

I thought Geoff Johns was in, like, his 40s?! :O

Warnerbroseph - 2/22/2016, 10:23 AM

What a news day this is turning out to be.

LEVITIKUZ - 2/22/2016, 10:25 AM

Johns did intern for Richard Donner. It wasn't during Donner's Superman. He started working for him in like 95-97

Kyos - 2/22/2016, 10:25 AM

Isn't Feige younger than 50 years as well? I'm confused...

CMgeek - 2/22/2016, 10:26 AM

Funny, id assumed you would be fired for saying such things around WB/DC. Seems they've been actively trying to piss on everything Donner did.

LEVITIKUZ - 2/22/2016, 10:27 AM

Feige wasn't Richard's assistant but Lauren Donner's. Johns's was Richard's.

They became friends and still are.

DrLight - 2/22/2016, 10:29 AM

Bad news! Donner's Superman doesn't even hold up! Outdated! Not timeless like the masterpieces from the no. 1 studio in the game!

Can't wait for the -Miss- Marvel movie, tho.

ALegendaryPanda - 2/22/2016, 10:32 AM

@DrLight -

1 2 3 4

Geoff Johns Says Watching Patty Jenkins Direct WONDER WOMAN Reminds Him Of Richard Donner

DC Comics' Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns says Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman has him reminiscent of his time as an intern for Richard Donner. Fun fact: Johns' fellow intern was Marvel's Kevin Feige.

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