Pedro Pascal has become a ubiquitous presence in recent years, and for good reason. Known as one of his generation’s finest actors, Pascal showcases gravitas in roles like The Last of Us and delivers a deft comic touch, as seen in his memorable Saturday Night Live appearance. His star rose significantly in 2019 with his leading role in The Mandalorian, a role that catapulted him into mainstream fame. Shortly after, in 2020, he portrayed Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman: 1984, though the film was met with mixed reviews, Pascal’s performance was notably well-received. Interestingly, this wasn’t Pascal’s first brush with the Wonder Woman universe. For that, we must rewind to 2011—a period earmarking one of Pascal’s early roles in an ill-fated Wonder Woman TV pilot.
It was in October 2010 when David E. Kelley, the brain behind beloved shows like The Practice and Ally McBeal, sought to revive Wonder Woman as a TV series, a first since the iconic 1970s version starring Lynda Carter. Despite the pedigree involved, initial reactions were tepid, and many networks showed little interest. Finally, NBC took a chance, agreeing to pilot the series in January 2011. By February, Adrianne Palicki was announced as the new Wonder Woman. The cast assembled was impressive, featuring Elizabeth Hurley, Cary Elwes, Justin Bruening, and Pedro Pascal as Detective Ed Indelicato, a police liaison for Wonder Woman. The project set into motion, despite fan disapproval over Wonder Woman’s costume design, a concern that, with hindsight, seemed a harbinger of the pilot’s challenging fate.
The pilot kicked off with Wonder Woman pursuing a super-strong criminal. After subduing her target to collect a blood sample, she returned to Themyscira Industries, the company she ran under the name Diana Themyscira. As both a formidable CEO and an admired crime fighter known as Wonder Woman, Diana also navigated life as Diana Prince, an everyday woman fond of simple pleasures, like watching romantic comedies with her cat. Her investigations connected the criminal and a teen’s unfortunate death back to Veronica Cale, who was doling out deadly drugs granting users enhanced abilities. Wonder Woman confronted Cale, leading to her arrest, whereupon Diana’s ex, Steve Trevor, now a Justice Department rep, stepped in professionally to collaborate with her.
Opinions about the pilot varied significantly. While some saw potential, others felt critical elements, such as tying the character properly into her mythology, were missing. Crucial canonical aspects—her three identities, Themyscira origins, and the iconic magic lasso’s truth-enforcing function—were noticeably absent or muddled. With Arrow’s subsequent success on CW, some mused whether the show might have thrived on another network with the right timing and adjustments.
Despite the talent involved, NBC decided against advancing beyond the pilot. Adrianne Palicki, who carried the mantle of Wonder Woman, expressed her disappointment over the decision, yet conceded the grueling challenge the production would have posed. In parallel, Pedro Pascal shared her sentiments regarding the missed opportunity to explore his character’s Commissioner Gordon-like dynamics with Wonder Woman. “I was devastated it didn’t get picked up,” Pascal lamented, recalling his excitement about the series’ bold direction under David E. Kelley’s vision.
Luckily for Pascal, the series’ cancellation did not hinder his career trajectory. Subsequently, he secured roles that firmly established him as a household name while eventually revisiting the Wonder Woman lore in his role in Wonder Woman: 1984. As he recollected the ill-fated pilot, Pascal highlighted the intriguing ‘what if’ scenario the project represented, contemplating the alternate paths his career might have taken had the series solidified into a full-fledged show. Today, though obscured by time, Pedro Pascal’s early leap into the Wonder Woman universe remains an intriguing chapter, offering a glimpse into his evolving journey through Hollywood’s demanding landscape.
Wonder Woman 1984 is available for streaming on Max in the U.S.
