Joss Whedon

Joss Whedon, recently selected to helm the upcoming "Wonder Woman" film, said he intends the iconic female character to go back to her roots, according to an interview with cable television network VH-1.

"Originally, I was hesitant," said the 40-year-old Whedon, who refers to himself as a "comic-book geek." "But then it’s also sort of why I became really interested, because she doesn’t have so much baggage for me, the way, say, Spider-Man would."

Whedon, however, admits he’s been handed a bicycle with training wheels attached.

"It’s been in development for a lot of years. Producer Joel Silver called me, and I came in. When he pitched it, he had a very clear idea of what he wanted to do, which I thought was really smart," Whedon said. "But it was very unformed, and it sort of formed in my brain.

"What I began to realize is I had no choice but to write it," he said.

Whedon, who is in the process of completing the upcoming "Serenity" film based on the cancelled Fox series "Firefly" said he’s anxious to flesh out the back story of the Amazon princess.

"I think she sort of sprang out fully formed, much like Athena herself," he said. "In the ’40s, when it was first done, she came to the world from Paradise Island and then went about her business, and so that experience, which is really a rite of passage, the same as any hero has to go through, has never really been investigated the way I want."

How much will he borrow from more than 60 years of continuously produced comic books? While Whedon says he’s never been a huge fan of Wonder Woman’s ongoing titles, his familiarity with them will likely encourage long-time comics fans.

"I mean, I’ve seen some really good books, some really great work by people - late-’80s artist/writer George Perez and late-’90s artist/writer John Byrne, a lot of guys," Whedon said. "Obviously, I’ve seen the covers by female superhero artist Adam Hughes, but who hasn’t? However, I’ve seen her more with the Justice League of America and stuff like that."

When asked if he plans to incorporate important parts of the Wonder Woman legend in the film, Whedon did mention that he’s going to be very picky when choosing what to use and what to ignore.

"I have a take on all of them," he said. "It has to do with who she is, and they have a certain integrity. I’m not going to do anything silly.

"There’s a reason why she has those bracelets. There’s a reason why she’s got the lasso. I think it’s going to work out really well."

He made no mention of the invisible plane that has been phased out of the most recent comics incarnations, though.

Of course, developing the Wonder Woman film isn’t all hard work. There are benefits from this project that Whedon has already begun to enjoy.

During the recent Wizard World Los Angeles comic book convention, actress Jewel Staite approached Whedon with a proposal. "Can I be in your Wonder Woman movie? I’ll love you forever," she said.

Whedon’s response to Staite and everyone else interested in the part is that he isn’t leaning toward any actress - at least, not yet.

"No leaning," he said. "I’m standing straight."