Was Monolith’s Original Plan for Wonder Woman Retooled for EA’s Black Panther Game?

by

It’s been reported that Monolith Studios has shut down due to the cancellation of their Wonder Woman game. Although some fans see this as a significant setback, there’s speculation that the initial ideas for Wonder Woman might be adapted for a future superhero project instead.

Based on recent revelations about the state of affairs at WB Games by journalist Jason Schreier, it appears that some initial concepts for the Wonder Woman game might be adapted for Electronic Arts’ Black Panther project.

From Wonder Woman to Black Panther

Recently, I had the chance to dive into the behind-the-scenes drama at Monolith Studios as revealed by Jason Schreier from Kinda Funny Games Daily. He shared some insights on the events leading up to the ultimate decision to scrap the Wonder Woman project.

It’s interesting to note that originally, the Nemesis System from the game “Shadow of Mordor” was intended for inclusion in the “Wonder Woman” video game. However, the game was reworked into a more conventional action-adventure style similar to “God of War.” This shift coincided with the departure of Monolith’s leadership who went on to form Cliffhanger Studios and collaborate with EA to create a “Black Panther” video game. Here’s what Kevin Stephens, head of Cliffhanger Studios, had to say about their upcoming “Black Panther

Our goal is to offer fans a genuine and conclusive ‘Black Panther’ adventure, allowing them greater control over their story than ever before in a narrative-driven video game. We aim to create an extraordinary world within Wakanda, a vibrant Super Hero playground, where players who share our passion for Black Panther can immerse themselves deeply.

The intriguing aspect of this quote lies in how the game ‘Wonder Woman‘ empowered players by giving them the ability to shape the story themselves. This was achieved through the Nemesis System, which enabled players to guide Diana on a quest around Themyscira, rallying tribe leaders under a common cause.

Is it possible that when informed they couldn’t proceed with their initial concept for “Wonder Woman,” the Cliffhanger team abandoned their plan, reformulated their idea for a “Black Panther” narrative, and subsequently reworked and resubmitted it?

WW and BP Similarities

The cities of Wakanda and Themyscira bear numerous resemblances. These are hidden, magical (and long-standing) metropolises capable of supporting diverse warrior communities. Both Wonder Woman and Black Panther could be viewed as chieftains of their respective societies, and embarking on joint missions to consolidate a realm seems like a character development path that suits them well.

Despite the need for both Diana (Wonder Woman) and T’Challa (Black Panther) to navigate the complexities of diplomacy, they possess extraordinary abilities which enable them to handle any violent situations effectively.

Maybe, Maybe Not

At present, it’s all still conjecture, yet a lot seems to align. The work the Cliffhanger group was previously engaged in appears to have some connection with the parallels noticed between Black Panther and Wonder Woman.

It’s been reported that WB Games has secured a patent for the Nemesis System, which might imply that it cannot be utilized in the Black Panther project. However, it’s important to note that this situation could potentially be in a legally ambiguous territory, as even Schreier himself has pointed out.

Until EA does an official reveal, fans must wait and see what happens.

The exact launch date for the Black Panther game is yet to be revealed, however, Electronic Arts (EA) aims to make it available within the upcoming year.

Read More

2025-03-05 03:50