2025 marks a pivotal year for DC, with James Gunn’s Superman film set to launch the new DCU theatrically, alongside a robust lineup of film and television projects from DC Studios. The Absolute Universe in the comics is also generating significant buzz. Amid this flurry of excitement, one question looms large: What is 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 franchise media has been surprisingly minimal.
Outside the realm of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks. Following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, her live-action film franchise has struggled to regain momentum. She is notably absent from the current DCU lineup, with Gunn and his team choosing instead to focus on a series about the Amazons. Additionally, Diana has never had a dedicated animated series, and her anticipated first solo video game, announced in 2021, was abruptly cancelled. Given these challenges, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are managing the future of this legendary female superhero.
One Hit Wonder --------------During the intense rivalry between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a standout success. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. After the polarizing releases of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' vision of Diana resonated deeply with audiences, despite its third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action and poise than on character depth. This film's success should have paved the way for a thriving franchise.
However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not 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 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The sequel's narrative inconsistencies, tonal shifts, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body, further alienated viewers. Despite these shortcomings, the lack of a third film in development and the absence of other Wonder Woman projects across various media formats is disappointing, especially when compared to the frequent reboots of characters like Batman and Spider-Man.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
As the new DCU launches a fresh slate of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup announced by DC Studios head James Gunn and producing partner Peter Safran does not include a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, it features lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, alongside new interpretations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. While there's value in exploring obscure IPs, the absence of Wonder Woman in this lineup is striking.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Instead of a Wonder Woman-centric project, the DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series focused on the Amazons of Themiscyra set before Diana's birth. While exploring the history and mythology of the Amazons is commendable, creating a show within the Wonder Woman franchise without featuring Wonder Woman herself evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about DC Studios' priorities and why Diana isn't seen as a central figure in her own universe, especially when the urgency to launch a new Batman franchise is evident.
Historically, the DC Animated Universe from the ‘90s and early 2000s prominently featured Wonder Woman in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received a solo series like Batman or Superman. 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 enduring popularity of superhero media, the lack 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 another layer of frustration. While it's unclear if the poor performance of games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to its demise, the loss of Diana's first leading role in a game feels like a missed opportunity. With character action games experiencing a resurgence, a game featuring Diana, akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden, seems like a natural 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 dedicated to her is glaring. DC's failure to capitalize on the success of Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series with games featuring 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 results in her being killed off as a non-playable character, while the male members of the Justice League survive as evil clones.
The lack of progress across Wonder Woman's film, animation, and video game fronts reflects a concerning disregard by Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third member of their Trinity, it casts doubt on their commitment to the broader DC universe. As James Gunn's Superman reboot aims to revitalize the DCU, it's imperative that Warner Bros. recognizes the untapped potential of Diana Prince. After nearly a century, both she and her fans deserve more.
