2025 is a significant year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to launch the new DCU in theaters, alongside a robust lineup of film and television projects from DC Studios, and the Absolute Universe making waves in the comic book world. However, amidst all the excitement, a critical question looms large: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, Wonder Woman is one of the most iconic superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent DC franchise media has been surprisingly subdued.
Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks in recent years. Her live-action film series struggled following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she is notably absent from the current DCU lineup, with Gunn and his team choosing to focus on a series about the Amazons instead. Additionally, Wonder Woman has never starred in her own animated series, and her anticipated first solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. This raises the question of what Warner Bros. is planning for one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time. Let's delve into how Warner Bros. and DC might be mishandling Wonder Woman's potential.
One Hit Wonder
During the peak of the Marvel Cinematic Universe vs. DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film stood out as a major success for the DCEU. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. Following the divisive reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated deeply with audiences. While the film was not without flaws, such as its third act problems and Gal Gadot's focus on action over character depth, its strong performance suggested the start of a thriving 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 in theaters, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative inconsistencies, tonal shifts, and controversial elements, like Diana having sex with Steve Trevor while he was in another man's body, further hindered its reception. Despite these setbacks, the lack of a third film, which was phased out of development, is disappointing, especially when other characters like Batman and Spider-Man frequently receive reboots and relaunches.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
As the new DCU embarks on a fresh wave of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate does not include a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios' leaders James Gunn and Peter Safran have prioritized lesser-known properties such as Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, alongside new takes on Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. While there's value in exploring lesser-known IPs, the absence of Wonder Woman is notable.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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The announced series, Paradise Lost, focuses on the Amazons of Themyscira and is set before Wonder Woman's birth. While exploring the Amazons' history enriches the DC mythology, 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 does not view Diana as the primary draw, especially when compared to the urgency to relaunch Batman, potentially leading to two simultaneous live-action Batman franchises.
Historically, the DC Animated Universe prominently featured Wonder Woman in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received a solo animated series, unlike Batman and Superman. Despite her regular appearances in DC Universe direct-to-video animated films, she has only starred in two: Wonder Woman (2009) and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019). Given the popularity of superhero media, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is perplexing.
Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit
The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. Whether the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus influenced this decision remains unclear, but the loss of what would have been Diana's first solo game feels like a missed opportunity. With the resurgence of character action games, a game featuring Wonder Woman, akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden, seems overdue.
While Wonder Woman 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 her is glaring. The success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series underscores the missed opportunity for similar games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League. The fact 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 only adds insult to injury, especially with male Justice League members surviving as evil clones.
The combination of a struggling film franchise, 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 roster, it raises concerns about their regard for the broader DC brand. With James Gunn's Superman reboot on the horizon, hopefully, it will herald a new era for DC adaptations and not overlook the immense value that Diana Prince brings to the franchise. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.
