2025 marks a pivotal year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to kick off the new DCU theatrically, alongside numerous other film and television projects in development and the groundbreaking Absolute Universe in DC's comics division. Amidst this excitement, however, a significant question looms large: What is happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, Wonder Woman is one of the most recognizable superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent DC media has been surprisingly minimal.
Beyond the pages of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks in recent years. Her live-action film series stumbled following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she is notably absent from the current DCU lineup. Instead of focusing on Wonder Woman, DC Studios and James Gunn are prioritizing a series about the Amazons. Furthermore, Wonder Woman has never had her own dedicated animated series, and her first planned solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. These developments raise questions about Warner Bros.' strategy for one of their most iconic female superheroes. Let's delve into how Warner Bros. and DC seem to be mishandling Wonder Woman's potential.
One Hit Wonder
During the peak of the rivalry between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film stood out as a major success for DC. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. After the divisive reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated with audiences in a way that previous DC films had not. While the film wasn't flawless, with third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action than character depth, its strong performance should have been the foundation for a thriving franchise.
However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, fell short of expectations. It divided critics and failed to recoup its production costs at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative structure, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body, further hindered its reception. Despite these challenges, the underwhelming sequel should not have led to Wonder Woman being sidelined. Plans for a third film were phased out, leaving the franchise in limbo. It's disappointing to see Wonder Woman sidelined after one underperforming film, especially when other characters like Batman and Spider-Man receive multiple reboots and relaunches.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
With the launch of the new DCU, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the ambitiously named Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, James Gunn and Peter Safran are focusing on less mainstream properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, alongside new iterations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. While there's value in exploring lesser-known characters, the absence of Wonder Woman is glaring, especially when compared to the emphasis on other major heroes.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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The DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series about the Amazons of Themyscira set before Wonder Woman's birth. While delving into Amazonian history and enriching Wonder Woman's backstory is commendable, creating a show within the Wonder Woman franchise without Wonder Woman herself feels reminiscent of the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises concerns about DC Studios' priorities, questioning why Diana isn't considered a primary draw compared to the world-building around her. Why rush to establish another Batman franchise but not prioritize Wonder Woman?
This approach is not new. The DC Animated Universe in the '90s and early 2000s included Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received her own solo series, unlike Batman and Superman. Even in DC Universe's direct-to-video animated films, Wonder Woman has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the enduring popularity of superhero content, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is puzzling.
AnswerSee ResultsLet Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit
The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. It's unclear whether the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to its demise, but the lengthy development ending in cancellation feels particularly cruel. This would have been Diana's first game in the lead role, missing a prime opportunity during the resurgence of character action games. A Wonder Woman game with gameplay akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden could have been a perfect fit.
While Diana has been playable in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, the absence of a AAA action game starring Wonder Woman is inexcusable. DC's failure to capitalize on the success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series by not creating games for Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a missed opportunity. It's particularly galling that Diana's first appearance in the Arkham timeline in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was as a non-playable character who gets killed off, while the male members of the Justice League survive as evil clones.
The lack of progress in Wonder Woman's film franchise, the absence of dedicated animated series, and the poor representation in video games collectively reflect a lack of respect from Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they show such little regard for a major figure like Wonder Woman, it raises doubts about their commitment to the broader DC universe. As James Gunn's Superman reboot aims to rejuvenate the DCU, it's crucial that Warner Bros. does not overlook the significant value that Diana Prince brings to their franchise. After nearly a century, Wonder Woman and her fans deserve more.
