"Wonder Woman Faces Uncertainty 5 Years Post-1984 Film"

2025 marks a significant year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to launch the new DCU theatrically, alongside a variety of film and television projects in development, and the Absolute Universe making a big splash in DC's comics division. Amidst this exciting lineup of DC universe media, one crucial question looms large: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, this iconic superhero and key figure in the DC universe seems to be missing from recent franchise efforts.

Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced challenges in recent years. Her live-action film series struggled after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she's noticeably absent from the current DCU slate, with Gunn and his team choosing instead to develop a show about the Amazons. Wonder Woman has also never had her own dedicated animated series, and her first solo video game, announced back in 2021, was cancelled. Given all these setbacks, it's important 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 stood out as a major success for DC. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and earned over $800 million globally. Following the mixed reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated with audiences in a way the previous DC films hadn't. While the film isn't flawless, with third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on poise and action rather than character depth, its strong performance should have marked the beginning of a successful and lucrative 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 at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The sequel's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Chris Pine's Steve Trevor while he was in another man's body, further alienated audiences. This mediocre follow-up didn't build on the strengths of the original film.

Despite the sequel's flaws, Wonder Woman should not have been sidelined. Development on a third film was phased out, and there's been no progress on another Wonder Woman feature since. It's disappointing to see Wonder Woman sidelined after one underwhelming film, especially when other characters like Batman and Spider-Man frequently receive reboots and relaunches. The lack of other franchise media featuring Wonder Woman only exacerbates the issue.

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 slate does not include a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and producing partner Peter Safran are focusing on less-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While exploring obscure IPs can be successful, as seen with Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, it's surprising that Wonder Woman is absent, especially with new projects for Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern in the works.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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Instead, the DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a television series focusing on the Amazons of Themyscira before Wonder Woman's birth. While exploring the Amazons and enriching Wonder Woman's mythology is commendable, creating a series within the Wonder Woman franchise without Wonder Woman herself evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about whether DC Studios views Diana as less of a draw than her world-building. It's puzzling why the DCU is eager to launch a new Batman franchise, potentially running two simultaneously, but not prioritize a Wonder Woman project.

This treatment of the third member of DC's Trinity is reminiscent of past adaptations. The DC Animated Universe from the '90s and early 2000s included Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received a solo series like Batman or Superman. Even now, after nearly a century since her debut, Wonder Woman has never had a dedicated animated series. She's a regular in DC Universe direct-to-video animated films, but has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the popularity of superhero media, it's perplexing why a Wonder Woman project remains elusive.

Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit

The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. It's unclear whether the poor performance of other DC-related games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to this decision, but the long development period ending in cancellation feels like a missed opportunity. Especially now, as character action games are experiencing a resurgence, it seems like the perfect time for a Wonder Woman game similar to God of War or Ninja Gaiden. While Diana has been playable in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, there's no excuse for her not having a AAA action game.

It's a significant oversight that DC never capitalized on the success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series with games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, or the Justice League. It's particularly insulting 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, albeit evil clones, survive.

From the faltering film franchise to the absence of dedicated animated series and disappointing video game representation, Warner Bros. and DC's handling of Wonder Woman reflects a lack of respect for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third biggest hero in their roster, what does this say about their regard for the rest of the DC brand? Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will pave the way for a renewed focus on DC adaptations, moving away from the troubled DCEU. As Warner Bros. relaunches their franchise, they must recognize the immense value Diana Prince brings to their universe. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve more.