In 2011, NBC developed a Wonder Woman television series featuring Adrianne Palicki as Diana Prince, aiming to bring the iconic superhero to the small screen. This project, which included Pedro Pascal in a supporting role, presented a modern take on the character while toning down some of the fantastical elements of her comic book origin. Despite the pilot being completed, the network ultimately decided not to proceed with the series, leaving the show shelved.
Throughout the 2010s, DC’s live-action TV shows rarely delved into Wonder Woman’s mythology, likely due to restrictions imposed by Warner Brothers and DC. While characters related to her lore, such as Donna Troy, appeared in series like HBO Max’s Titans, Diana Prince herself was never portrayed directly. This cautious approach was probably influenced by the rising popularity of Gal Gadot’s portrayal of Diana Prince in the DC cinematic universe, which limited television adaptations of the character.
How the NBC Pilot Differed From Traditional Wonder Woman Lore
Written by David E. Kelley and directed by Jeffrey Reiner, the Wonder Woman pilot began with Diana already established as a superhero. However, it minimized many of the classic mythological aspects, such as the use of magic and Greek gods. Notably, it avoided showcasing her famous lasso’s truth-compelling powers, focusing instead on her physical abilities. The storyline also incorporated relationship drama, particularly between Diana and her ex-boyfriend Steve Trevor, played by Justin Bruening, which led to a shift toward a soap-opera style tone.
Pedro Pascal’s presence in a key supporting part added a notable element to the cast, predating his later success in both Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and the divisive DC movie Wonder Woman: 1984, where he appeared alongside Gal Gadot.
Adrianne Palicki’s Impact in the Marvel Universe through Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
After the Wonder Woman project was canceled, Adrianne Palicki transitioned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe by joining Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Barbara “Bobbi” Morse, a skilled spy and superhero known as Mockingbird in the comics. Introduced in the show’s second season, Bobbi was an undercover agent who initially infiltrated Hydra before becoming a key member of the revamped S.H.I.E.L.D., a covert group operating in hiding after the fallout from Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Bobbi’s character, although lacking superpowers, was celebrated as the first ongoing superhero role within the S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series. Her dynamic with ex-husband Lance Hunter, portrayed by Nick Blood, offered both emotional depth and complex personal struggles as the pair balanced espionage duties with their rekindled romance. The character also challenged the leadership style of Phil Coulson, played by Clark Gregg, leading to internal conflict within the team.
In a dramatic twist during Season 3, Bobbi and Hunter took the blame for a false assassination attempt, resulting in their exit from the series. This development was intended to set up a spin-off titled Marvel’s Most Wanted, but the project was ultimately abandoned by ABC, disappointing many fans familiar with Palicki’s near-Wonder Woman portrayal. Nick Blood later reprised the role of Lance Hunter in a guest appearance during S.H.I.E.L.D.’s fifth season, but Bobbi has not reappeared.
Palicki’s Action Skills and Potential for Future Roles in DC or Marvel
Adrianne Palicki’s physicality and stunt work, demonstrated in projects like John Wick and G.I. Joe: Retaliation, make her a credible candidate to portray action-oriented heroines such as Wonder Woman. Her performance as Bobbi Morse showcased her ability to combine toughness with emotional vulnerability, underscoring her versatility as an actress. These attributes suggest that she remains a compelling choice to play Diana Prince within DC’s evolving shared universe or in standalone adaptations exploring alternate storylines.
Palicki’s skills would also be valuable if she were to return to the MCU. Although her status as Bobbi Morse has become ambiguous due to continuity shifts—especially following the 2021 Hawkeye series, where Laura Barton assumed the Agent 19 codename originally linked to Bobbi in the comics—there remains potential for her to reappear either as the same character or in a new role. The narrative flexibility offered by the Marvel multiverse allows for various possibilities in future productions.
Contextualizing Wonder Woman’s Limited Television Presence
The scarce portrayal of Diana Prince in television series throughout the 2010s, despite the character’s popularity, reflects complicated licensing and creative decisions by Warner Brothers and DC. While characters connected to Wonder Woman’s lore appeared occasionally, the central figure herself was rarely shown, partly to avoid conflicting with Gal Gadot’s successful movie franchise. The presence of mythological figures like Helen of Troy was limited to minor appearances, as seen in the Arrowverse’s Legends of Tomorrow.
The NBC pilot starring Palicki represented one of the few attempts to bring Wonder Woman to TV viewers independently of the film universe, but its merger of superhero action with heightened personal drama may have contributed to its shelving. In hindsight, this project is seen as an intriguing “what-if” scenario that might have set an alternate path for Wonder Woman’s screen history.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Palicki’s Roles in Superhero Media
Whether Adrianne Palicki returns to a superhero role in DC or Marvel remains uncertain, yet her previous work demonstrates her suitability for complex characters who combine strength and emotion. Fans of both universes continue to hope that she will rejoin the superhero scene soon. The evolving landscape of superhero storytelling, especially the increasing use of multiverse concepts, leaves the door open for actors like Palicki to reprise old roles or take on new ones without continuity restrictions.
Her potential comeback could add depth and skill to future projects, reaffirming her place in the genre after coming close to embodying Wonder Woman and delivering a memorable performance as Bobbi Morse.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Pedro Pascal in so many memes?
A. The meme comes from the film *The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent*, featuring Nicholas Cage and Pedro Pascal. While not as popular on TikTok as the Snack Wars meme, it went viral on Reddit and YouTube.
Q. Why did Pedro Pascal quit The Last of Us?
A. In a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Pascal discussed his character’s ending in the series. He mentioned that it was always understood they’d follow the original material closely. He also explained that their main focus and responsibility was on the first season.
Q. Is Pedro Pascal friends with Nicolas Cage?
A. Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal discuss their friendship while working on the movie “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.”
Q. Who has Pedro Pascal dated?
A. In the 1990s, Pedro appeared in a Law & Order episode before he became well-known. At that time, many actors appeared on the show. He was in a season 18 episode with Maria Dizzia, known from Orange Is The New Black. According to The Sun, this led to a relationship between them that continued for years.
