2025 is a pivotal 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 Absolute Universe making significant strides in the comics world. Amidst this flurry of activity, one glaring question remains: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she is one of the most iconic superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent DC media has been surprisingly subdued.
Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks in recent years. Her live-action film series stumbled after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she is notably absent from the current DCU slate, which instead features a show about the Amazons. Additionally, Wonder Woman has never had her own animated series, and her first solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. Given these challenges, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are handling one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time.
One Hit Wonder --------------During the peak of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a standout 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 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 depth, its strong performance should have paved the way 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 budget at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body, further alienated viewers. Despite these setbacks, the lack of a third film and the absence of other Wonder Woman projects across various media is disappointing, especially when compared to the frequent reboots and relaunches of characters like Batman and Spider-Man.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
With the new DCU set to launch a fresh wave of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a priority. Yet, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and Peter Safran have chosen to focus on lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's merit in exploring obscure IPs, as Gunn did successfully with Guardians of the Galaxy, it's puzzling that Wonder Woman is sidelined while new projects for Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern are greenlit.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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The DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series about the Amazons of Themiscyra set before Wonder Woman'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 primary draw, especially when they're eager to launch multiple Batman projects. The DC Animated Universe from the '90s and early 2000s featured Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received her own solo series. Despite her regular appearances in DC Universe direct-to-video animated films, she has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the popularity of superhero content, it's baffling why a dedicated Wonder Woman project remains elusive.
AnswerSee ResultsLet Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit -----------------------------------The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. While it's unclear if the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to its demise, the loss of what would have been Diana's first leading role in a game feels like a missed opportunity. With the resurgence of character action games, a Wonder Woman game akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden could have been a perfect fit. Although 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 featuring her is glaring. DC's failure to capitalize on the success of the Batman Arkham series with games centered on Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a significant oversight, especially given the disrespectful treatment of Diana in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, where she is killed off as a non-playable character.
The lack of progress in Wonder Woman's film franchise, the absence of dedicated animated series, and the poor representation in video games reflect 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 raises concerns about their regard for the broader DC universe. As Gunn's Superman reboot aims to revitalize the DCU, it's crucial that Warner Bros. recognizes the immense value Diana Prince brings to their franchise. After nearly a century, both she and her fans deserve better.
