2025 marks a significant milestone for DC, with James Gunn’s Superman film set to inaugurate the new DCU in theaters. DC Studios is bustling with numerous film and television projects, and the Absolute Universe in the comics is making substantial strides in DC’s publishing sector. Amid this flurry of activity, a pressing question looms large: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she is a cornerstone of the DC universe and one of the most recognizable superheroes globally, yet her presence in recent DC franchise media is surprisingly faint.
Outside the realm of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced a challenging period. Her live-action film series stalled following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she is absent from the current DCU lineup. Instead of focusing on Diana, Gunn and his team have chosen to develop a series about the Amazons. Wonder Woman has never had her own dedicated animated series, and her first planned solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. These setbacks raise concerns about Warner Bros.' strategy for managing one of the most iconic female superheroes. Let’s delve into how Warner Bros. and DC are mishandling Wonder Woman's potential.
One Hit Wonder
During the peak rivalry between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a triumphant entry for DC. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and amassed over $800 million worldwide. Amidst the mixed reactions to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins’ portrayal of Diana resonated deeply with audiences. While not flawless, with notable third act problems and Gal Gadot’s performance focusing more on action and poise than depth, the film's success suggested the potential for a robust franchise.
However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, did not live up to expectations. Released in 2020, it disappointed both critics and fans, failing to recoup its production costs at the box office. The simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role, but the film's issues ran deeper. Its narrative was poorly structured, tonally inconsistent, and included controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man’s body. These factors contributed to a sequel that failed to capture the magic of the original.
Despite the sequel’s flaws, Wonder Woman deserved better than being sidelined. Plans for a third film were phased out, and no new Wonder Woman project has been announced since. It's disheartening to see her sidelined after just one underwhelming movie, especially when other characters like Batman and Spider-Man enjoy multiple reboots and relaunches. Other media could have filled the gap, yet there's been a noticeable absence of Wonder Woman content across various platforms.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
As the new DCU embarks on a fresh slate of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. However, the ambitiously named Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, James Gunn and Peter Safran have prioritized less-known characters such as Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's merit in exploring lesser-known IPs (as Gunn did successfully with Guardians of the Galaxy), this choice is curious given the simultaneous development of new Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern projects. Wonder Woman's absence is conspicuous.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Instead of a Wonder Woman-centric project, the DCU has greenlit Paradise Lost, a series about the Amazons of Themyscira set before Diana’s birth. While exploring the Amazons' history is valuable, creating a show within the Wonder Woman franchise without Wonder Woman herself evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about why DC Studios doesn't see Diana as the main attraction compared to the world-building around her. Why rush to establish multiple Batman projects but neglect Wonder Woman?
This treatment of the third member of DC’s Trinity is reminiscent of past oversights. In the DC Animated Universe of the ‘90s and early 2000s, Wonder Woman played a significant role in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited but never received her own series like Batman or Superman. Despite nearly a century since her debut, Wonder Woman has never had a dedicated animated series. She appears regularly in DC Universe direct-to-video films but has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. With superhero fiction thriving, it's puzzling why a Wonder Woman project remains elusive.
Answer
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Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit
The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds another layer of frustration. Whether the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to its demise is unclear, but the loss of what would have been Diana’s first leading role in a video game feels like a missed opportunity. With the resurgence of character action games, now is the perfect time for an action-adventure game starring Diana, akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden. If Kratos is occupied elsewhere, Wonder Woman could easily step in to battle Greek mythology's monsters.
While Wonder Woman has appeared in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, these roles hardly compensate for the absence of a dedicated AAA action game. DC's failure to capitalize on the success of Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series by creating games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a glaring oversight. It's particularly galling that Diana's first appearance in the Arkham timeline in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League sees her killed off as a non-playable character, while the male members of the Justice League, albeit as evil clones, survive.
The combination of a faltering film franchise, lack of animated series, and inadequate video game representation reflects a troubling lack of respect from Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third most significant hero in their lineup, it casts doubt on their regard for the broader DC universe. Hopefully, Gunn’s Superman reboot will pave the way for renewed interest in DC adaptations and signal a departure from the troubled DCEU. As Warner Bros. advances with their revamped franchise, it's crucial they recognize the value Diana Prince brings to their brand. After nearly a century, both she and her fans deserve better.
