DC's Wonder Woman Faces Uncertainty 5 Years Post-1984 Film

2025 marks a pivotal year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to launch the new DCU in theaters, and DC Studios bustling with upcoming film and television projects. The Absolute Universe is also creating significant buzz in DC's comic publishing world. Amidst all the excitement surrounding this fresh lineup of DC universe media, one major question looms large: What's the plan for Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she remains one of the most iconic superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent franchise media has been surprisingly subdued.

Outside of the comic books, Diana of Themyscira has faced challenges in recent years. Her live-action film franchise stumbled after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she currently lacks a project in the new DCU lineup. Instead, Gunn and his team are focusing on a series about the Amazons. Moreover, Wonder Woman has never had her own dedicated animated series, and the highly anticipated solo video game announced in 2021 was cancelled. This raises concerns about how Warner Bros. is handling the most iconic female superhero. Let's delve into how Warners and DC may be missing opportunities with Wonder Woman.

One Hit Wonder

During the peak rivalry between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a major success for the DCEU. Released in 2017, the movie 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, offering a refreshing take on DC films. Though not without its flaws, such as third act problems and a focus on Gal Gadot's physicality over character depth, the film's success suggested the potential for a thriving franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, failed to 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 film also struggled with a disjointed narrative, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) while he inhabited another man's body. This sequel was a disappointment that did not capitalize on the strengths of its predecessor.

Despite the setbacks of Wonder Woman 1984, it's disheartening that a third film was phased out of development, and no new Wonder Woman project has been announced since. Other characters like Batman and Spider-Man frequently receive reboots and relaunches, yet Wonder Woman has been sidelined after just one underperforming movie. The absence of Wonder Woman in other franchise media further underscores the missed opportunities.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

As the DCU embarks on a new era with Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. However, the announced slate includes no dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios leaders James Gunn and Peter Safran are focusing on lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's value in exploring obscure IPs, these projects are being developed alongside new takes on Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern, yet Wonder Woman remains absent.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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Instead of a Wonder Woman project, the DCU has greenlit Paradise Lost, a television series set in Themiscyra before Wonder Woman's birth, focusing on the Amazons. While this series could enrich the mythology surrounding Wonder Woman, it's peculiar to create a show within the Wonder Woman franchise that doesn't feature Wonder Woman herself, reminiscent of the Sony Marvel Universe approach. This raises questions about why DC Studios prioritizes world-building over featuring Diana, especially when they're eager to launch multiple Batman projects simultaneously.

Historically, Wonder Woman has been a key figure in the DC Animated Universe, appearing prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Yet, she never received her own 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 in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the popularity of superhero content over the past decades, the lack of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is baffling.

Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit

The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. It's uncertain whether the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus influenced this decision, but the cancellation after years of development feels like a significant loss, especially as it would have been Diana's first leading role in a video game. With character action games experiencing a resurgence, a Wonder Woman game inspired by titles like God of War or Ninja Gaiden seems like a missed opportunity.

While Wonder Woman has appeared in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, the absence of a AAA action game featuring her is a notable gap. The success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series highlights the potential for similar games centered around Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League. 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 male members of the Justice League survive as evil clones.

The combination of a faltering film franchise, the lack of dedicated animated series, and the disappointing video game representation all point to a lack of respect for Wonder Woman's cultural significance by Warner Bros. and DC. If they undervalue one of their most iconic characters, it raises concerns about their commitment to the broader DC universe. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will pave the way for a renewed focus on DC adaptations, and as Warner Bros. moves forward with their relaunched franchise, they'll recognize the immense value Diana Prince can bring to their enterprise. After nearly a century, Wonder Woman and her fans deserve better.