"DC's Wonder Woman Faces Uncertainty Five Years Post-1984 Film"

2025 marks a significant milestone for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to inaugurate the new DCU on the big screen. Alongside this, DC Studios is bustling with numerous film and television projects, while the Absolute Universe is making a profound impact in the comics world. Amidst this flurry of activity, one glaring question remains unanswered: What is happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, this iconic superhero and central figure in the DC universe has been noticeably absent from recent franchise media.

Beyond the pages of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced a series of setbacks. Her live-action film series faltered after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she is conspicuously absent from the current DCU lineup, which instead features a show about the Amazons. Wonder Woman has never had her own dedicated animated series, and her first solo video game, announced in 2021, was unfortunately cancelled. With all these challenges, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are managing one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time. Let's delve into how they might 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 emerged as a beacon of success for the latter. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and amassed over $800 million globally. Following the divisive reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated deeply with audiences, though not without flaws. The film's third act problems and Gal Gadot's focus on poise over character depth were notable critiques. Nonetheless, its strong performance suggested the beginning of a promising franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not meet the same success. It received mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the film's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Chris Pine's Steve Trevor in another man's body, further hampered its reception. Despite these setbacks, it's disappointing that Wonder Woman has been sidelined, with a third film phased out of development. While other characters like Batman and Spider-Man frequently receive reboots, Wonder Woman's absence from subsequent franchise media is stark.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

As the new DCU embarks on a fresh slate of adaptations, one would expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the ambitiously named Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and his partner Peter Safran are focusing on less mainstream characters such as Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's merit in exploring lesser-known properties, it's puzzling that Wonder Woman is omitted, especially when new projects featuring Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern are in the works.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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The announced Paradise Lost series, centered on the Amazons of Themyscira and set before Wonder Woman's birth, is an intriguing addition to the DC mythology. However, developing 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 prioritize Diana as the main attraction over the world-building around her. The rush to establish a new Batman franchise while neglecting Wonder Woman is perplexing.

This pattern isn't new. The DC Animated Universe in the '90s and early 2000s featured Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received her own solo series, unlike Batman and Superman. Despite her presence in DC Universe direct-to-video animated films, she has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. With the enduring popularity of superhero content, it's surprising that a dedicated Wonder Woman project remains elusive.

Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit

The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. It's unclear whether the underperformance of games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus played a role in its demise, but the fact that it would have been Diana's first leading role in a video game makes its cancellation all the more disheartening. With the resurgence of character action games, the timing seemed perfect for a Wonder Woman game akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden.

While Diana has been playable in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, there's a clear gap in the market for a AAA action game centered around her. It's astonishing that DC didn't capitalize on the success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series to develop games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, or the Justice League. The insult is compounded by Diana's non-playable character being killed off in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, while her male counterparts survive as evil clones.

This pattern of neglect, from the faltering film franchise to the lack of animated series and poor 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 biggest hero in their lineup, it raises doubts about their commitment to the broader DC brand. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will herald a new era of DC adaptations, but as Warner Bros. moves forward with their relaunched franchise, they must not overlook the immense value that Diana Prince brings to their universe. After nearly a century, she and her fans have waited long enough.