Cast member Gal Gadot poses at the premiere of 'Wonder Woman' in Los Angeles, California US, May 25, 2017. Photo: Reuters 

 

LOS ANGELES: Patty Jenkins will return to direct the 2019 sequel to this year?s hit superhero movie ?Wonder Woman,? film trade publications said on Monday, after she became the highest-grossing female director in Hollywood history.

Jenkins, 46, will once again direct Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the titular superhero in ?Wonder Woman 2,? scheduled for release on December 13, 2019, publications including Variety and Hollywood Reporter said.

Movie studio Warner Bros did not comment on the news and has not given any further details on the sequel.

?Wonder Woman,? was the first standalone movie to star a female superhero since 2005?s box office dud ?Elektra,? and the first to be directed by a woman.

It rode to the top of the box office in June on a wave of good reviews and female empowerment, and with $816.4 million at the worldwide box office, it is now the second-biggest movie of the year after the live action version of ?Beauty and the Beast.?

Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins

Jenkins overtook Phyllida Lloyd, who directed 2008?s musical ?Mamma Mia!,? for the title of highest-grossing female director.

Gadot?s Wonder Woman will next be seen in November?s superhero ensemble movie ?Justice League,? alongside Ben Affleck?s Batman and Henry Cavill?s Superman.

?Wonder Woman,? the fourth film in Warner Bros? current iteration of DC Comics? cinematic franchise, helped boost profits for Warner Bros? parent company Time Warner Inc.