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Wonder Woman 1984 Takes Alexandria
IT’S A BLAST FROM THE PAST
BY KELLY MACCONOMY
The year is 1984. Hair is big. And tall. Aerobics and jogging are the new exercise craze. Spandex is out of control. Women inexplicably desire to have shoulder pads in their blouses and jackets, resembling Joe Theismann and John Riggins at a time when the Washington football team formerly known as the Redskins are a gridiron force to be feared.
Back then, Landmark Mall was an open-air shopping center flanked by Sears to the south, Woodies (Woodward and Lothrop if you didn’t experience the 20th Century) to the west, and Hecht’s (later Macy’s) to the north. Via the magic of Hollywood, the abandoned mall complex, expanded and enclosed in 1990, is reborn - something the Howard Hughes Corporation hasn’t managed
Photo: Rob Krupicka The imaginative spirits guru at the Captain Gregory speakeasy has concocted the WW84 commemorative cocktail “A Deal Is a Promise,” stylishly served al fresco or DIY crafted to go!
Photo: Rob Krupicka Elizabeth’s Counter in Old Town has created a Wonder Woman 1984 specialty donut in celebration of Landmark Mall acting as base camp for the film back in 2018.
to accomplish in over a decade.
Wonder Woman 1984 doesn’t open with Landmark, but it upstages the backstory early on in a memorable scene that does a fine job bringing back the mall’s glory days. Longtime locals will rejoice in a recreated 80’s Commander Salamander (the punk gear outfitters) in a relocated location on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, where several cafe and action scenes were also shot.
Locations around DC prove equally diverting: the Capitol, requisite memorials, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History where Diana Prince (having not aged a day since World War I) now works as an archeologist/anthropologist, and that other “Mall” downtown.
Production designer Aline Bonetto staged 65 vacant mall stores at Landmark, resurrecting an 80s vibe
Photo: Warner Brothers Pictures Reimagined Landmark Mall circa 1984 served as both the movie base camp and setting for a dramatic rescue scene for Wonder Woman to make a grand entrance. in the erstwhile ghost mall, which was built in 1965 and was a going concern until 2017 when all but Sears vacated the space. Macy’s was occupied by residents and staff of the Carpenter’s Shelter while awaiting the new building that opened last month. Talent, crew, and local extras alike reveled in the resurrection of
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Wonder Woman 1984, starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, is celebrated in a window display located at 101 North Union Street in Old Town Alexandria. Area businesses are getting in on the action with movie-themed specials through 2/28/21.
Alexandria and area businesses will be offering various promotional opportunities until February 28. • Captain Gregory’s speakeasy has created a WW84 specialty cocktail called A Deal is a Promise, made with persimmon infused Pisco, Strega, Cynar, and persimmon bitters. • Elizabeth’s Counter offers the Truth-Teller doughnut: vanilla glaze with red, white, and blue sprinkles adorned with gold and silver stars. • inq Old Town has Wonder Woman-inspired tattoo designs at five percent off. This business is both woman- and veteran-owned, much like Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot. • K Street Kettle Korn is selling a red, white, and blue, three-flavor WW84 assortment of America’s favorite gourmet popcorn for $19.84. • Port City Brewing Company has established Wonder Woman
Wednesdays when two six-packs or a variety 12-pack sell for $19.84. • Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge is serving the Invisible
Plane, made with Sauza, Hornitos Tequila, raspberry, ginger, and fresh lime juice. Self-guided tours of Alexandria movie and TV filming locations, including Broadcast News, Jackie, J. Edgar, Mercy Street, No Way Out, Loving, Random Hearts, and more are available at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/wonderwoman.
Editor’s Note: News of the World starring Tom Hanks, which opened Christmas Day, became available on-demand starting January 15. If you enjoyed the book, you will love Tom Hanks as Captain Kidd. He’s looking good for award nominations for this role. So what else is new?
‘WONDER WOMAN 1984’ PROP ON DISPLAY IN OLD TOWN
BY KEVIN DAURAY
In the spring and summer of 2018, Landmark Mall served as a movie set for “Wonder Woman 1984.” The highlyanticipated film, which had its release date delayed because of the novel cororonavirus pandemic, is in theaters now and available to stream on HBO Max.
The location shoot provided a boost to the Virginia economy, bringing in over $45 million.
“Alexandria really came together to support the filming of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ with coordination from the Alexandria Film Office, which is operated by Visit Alexandria, plus incredible support from the City of Alexandria and dozens of city departments and public safety officials,” said Patricia Washington, Visit Alexandria President and CEO.
“Wonder Woman 1984” stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. This time, Prince travels to the 1980s to battle all-new foes.
To celebrate the film’s release the Virginia Film Office, worked with Warner Bros. to acquire a drum prop used in the Landmark Mall scenes. The prop is seven feet tall and is decorated with Virginia’s longtime slogan, “Virginia Is for Lovers.”
The prop is on display in Old Town through Feb. 28. Visit Alexandria has created a number of experiences related to “Wonder Woman 1984” and other films and TV shows filmed in Alexandria.
Below are details of festivities found on this Visit Alexandria webpage, courtesy of a press release.
Wonder Woman 1984 / Virginia is for Lovers Drum Prop Display in Old Town Alexandria CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 CASWQ created a website (www.caswq.org), recruited supporters, distributed flyers, and presented at Alexandria Board of Architectural Review meetings.
Adopting the tagline, “High rises don’t belong in Old Town,” CASWQ is
A window display of the
Photo courtesy Warner Bros./DC Entertainment) Above: Gal Gadot stars in “Wonder Woman 1984”
seven-foot-tall drum prop will be available for outdoor viewing in Old Town Alexandria at 101 N. Union Street near King Street and the waterfront through Feb. 28, 2021. Bundle up to observe the impressive movie prop and learn about Landmark Mall as a filming location. Viewing will take place outdoors to ensure safety for all visitors.
Self-Guided Stroll of Film- and TVRelated Sites in Old Town Alexandria
In addition to “Wonder
Woman 1984,” a number of award-winning film projects have chosen Alexandria as a backdrop, due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., its small-town feel and diverse neighborhoods. After viewing the
“Wonder Woman 1984” drum prop display, film enthusiasts can continue along a self-guided outdoor walk found at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/wonderfighting to preserve Alexandria’s historical integrity and charm. CASWQ member Stephen Hayes says, “This project would do real damage to Old Town in terms of livability and traffic congestion, and dramatically increased density. We are starting to see a groundswell of opposition to the Asland development.”
Hayes points out that a structure of this size and ca-
Photo: Virginia Film Office
woman to explore various cinematic sites in Alexandria by foot. In addition to filming sites for “Jackie,” “J. Edgar,” and “Broadcast News,” tour stops include sites and stories that inspired major film projects, like the PBS national drama series “Mercy Street” and the feature film “Loving.”
Take part in one-of-a-kind Wonder Woman-themed offerings from select Alexandria businesses including:
Wonder Woman Wednesdays from Port City Brewing Co. in Jan. 2021 with any two six-packs or a variety 12-pack available for $19.84 with pre-order for curbside pickup at the brewery.
Original permanent and temporary tattoo designs inspired by Wonder Woman 1984 from the artists of inq Tattoos Old Town, a woman-and-veteranowned tattoo boutique.
Available with 5% off these services in January and February 2021; masks and appointments required.
WW84 themed 3-flavor popcorn package from
America’s Favorite Gourmet Popcorn for $19.84 featuring a red, white and blue edition of K-Street
Kettle Korn plus Capital Caramel popcorn and
America’s Favorite popcorn. Available Jan. 7 through Feb. 28, 2021; can be purchased online for be rejected. We want a development that provides much needed affordable housing and fits into the scale of our neighborhood, a development that will not overwhelm our neighborhood school, street parking, and the already difficult traffic situation.”
Members of CASWQ implore the City to pause and consider the effect that a modern structure of this scope shipping or pickup at the Alexandria store or purchased in-person at the Alexandria store and assembled while you wait.
“Truth Teller” donut from Elizabeth’s Counter, inspired by always-honest Wonder Woman and her Lasso of Truth. A vanilla glazed donut is sprinkled with a marvelous a blend of red, white, blue and gold and silver stars. Available Jan. 7 through Feb. 28, 2021; order online for curbside pickup or preordering; limited quantity available in-store.
“A Deal Is a Promise” cocktail from Captain Gregory’s, inspired by Diana’s iconic line in the 2017 “Wonder Woman” film. The cocktail features persimmon-infused pisco, Strega, Cynar and persimmon bitters. Available Jan. 7 through Feb. 28, 2021; offered on site at Captain Gregory’s with outdoor seating available or to-go from sister restaurant Elizabeth’s Counter with food purchase.
“The Invisible Plane” cocktail at Vola’s Dockside Grill and the Hi-Tide Lounge, inspired by Diana’s invisible jet from the original DC Comics, which has been teased in the “Wonder Woman 1984” trailer. The cocktail is crafted with Sauza Hornitos tequila, raspberry, ginger and fresh lime juice, rimmed with raw sugar and topped with an invisible plane. Available on site only Jan. 7 to Feb. 28, 2021; heated outdoor seating is available. The “Virginia Is for Lovers” drum prop is presented by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Film Office, and Visit Al-
HERITAGE
exandria. would have on Alexandria, its history, its people, and its identity. Old Town is steeped in brick and rooted in cobblestone. There are ways to accommodate the future while preserving the past.
To learn more and to stay abreast of developments, go to www.caswq.org.
