2025 is poised to be a monumental year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to kickstart the new DCU in theaters, alongside a robust lineup of film and television projects from DC Studios and the impactful Absolute Universe initiative in DC's comic publishing. Amidst this flurry of activity, however, a glaring question looms large: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, this iconic superhero and cornerstone of the DC universe seems to be missing from the spotlight in recent franchise developments.
Outside of the comic books, Diana of Themyscira has faced a series of setbacks. Her live-action film series stumbled following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and there's no Wonder Woman project slated for the current DCU, which has instead chosen to focus on a series about the Amazons. She has yet to star in her own animated series, and the much-anticipated first solo video game featuring Diana, announced back in 2021, was cancelled. Given these challenges, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are handling one of the most celebrated female superheroes in history.
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 significant triumph for the latter. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. After the mixed reception to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' vision of Diana resonated with audiences in a way the previous DC films hadn't. Though not flawless, with third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on poise and action than character depth, the film's success should have been the launchpad for a thriving franchise.
However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, didn't live up to expectations. It divided critics and failed to recoup its budget at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the film's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements (such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor while he inhabited another man's body) further hindered its reception. This sequel was a lackluster follow-up to the original's success.
Despite the underperformance of Wonder Woman 1984, the character deserved more than being sidelined. Plans for a third film were phased out, and no further Wonder Woman projects have been announced. This is particularly disappointing when compared to the frequent reboots and relaunches of characters like Batman and Spider-Man. The absence of Wonder Woman in other franchise media is equally noticeable.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
With the new DCU poised to introduce a fresh array of DC adaptations, one would expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the initial slate, Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and Peter Safran have chosen to focus on less mainstream characters like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While exploring niche IPs has its merits (as evidenced by Gunn's success with Guardians of the Galaxy), it's striking that Wonder Woman is absent while new projects for Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern are in the works.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Instead of a Wonder Woman project, the DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series centered on the Amazons of Themiscyra, set before Diana's birth. While delving into the Amazons' history and enriching Wonder Woman's lore 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 view Diana as the central attraction over her associated world-building. Why rush to establish Batman's presence potentially with two concurrent live-action franchises, yet neglect Wonder Woman?
This approach to the third member of DC's Trinity is reminiscent of past trends. The DC Animated Universe of the '90s and early 2000s featured Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, yet she never received her own solo series like Batman or Superman did. In fact, Wonder Woman has never had a dedicated animated series, despite her nearly century-long history. While she's a regular in DC Universe's direct-to-video animated films, she's only headlined two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. With the surge in superhero popularity over recent decades, the lack of a Wonder Woman project is puzzling.
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Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit
The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game in development at Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. Whether the failure of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to this decision remains unclear, but the long development cycle ending in cancellation feels like a missed opportunity, especially considering it would have been Diana's first lead role in a video game. With the resurgence of character action games, there's a perfect opportunity for an action-adventure game featuring Diana, akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden.
Yes, Diana has been playable in titles like the Injustice series, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC games. However, 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 creating games for Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a missed financial and creative opportunity. It's particularly galling that Diana's first appearance in the Arkham timeline in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League involves her being killed off as a non-playable character, while the male Justice League members, portrayed as evil clones, survive.
This pattern of neglect—from the faltering film franchise to the lack of animated series and poor video game representation—reflects a troubling disregard by Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third most prominent hero in their lineup, it raises doubts about their respect for the broader DC universe. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will herald a new era of DC adaptations, steering away from the troubled DCEU. As Warner Bros. advances with their relaunched franchise, it's imperative they recognize the immense value Diana Prince brings to their universe. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.
