2025 marks a monumental year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to launch the new DCU theatrically, a slew of film and television projects in the works, and the Absolute Universe making significant impacts in DC's publishing division. Despite the buzz surrounding this new array of DC media, a pressing question looms large: What is happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she is one of the most recognized superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent DC franchise media has been surprisingly muted.
Outside the realm of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced a challenging period. Her live-action film series stumbled following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she is notably absent from the current DCU lineup, which instead features a show about the Amazons. Moreover, Wonder Woman has never had her own dedicated animated series, and her much-anticipated first solo video game, announced in 2021, was abruptly cancelled. Given these setbacks, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are handling the legacy of the most iconic female superhero.
One Hit Wonder
In the late 2010s, amidst fierce competition between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a standout success. Released in 2017, the movie garnered largely positive reviews and raked in over $800 million worldwide. Following the divisive reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' vision of Diana resonated deeply with audiences. While not without flaws—such as third act problems and a focus on Gal Gadot's action prowess over character depth—the film's strong performance suggested the potential for a thriving franchise.
However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, failed to live up to its predecessor. The film received mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond external factors, the sequel's narrative structure, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements—like Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body—did not help its reception. Despite these challenges, the absence of a third film and the lack of other Wonder Woman projects across different media is disappointing, especially when characters like Batman and Spider-Man receive multiple reboots.
Diana Prince, Missing in Action
With the new DCU set to introduce a wave of fresh adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be at the forefront. Yet, the initial lineup, titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, does not include a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios' head James Gunn and producer 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 is value in exploring niche IPs, the absence of Wonder Woman from this ambitious slate is conspicuous.
DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Instead of a Wonder Woman project, the DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series focusing on the Amazons of Themyscira set before Wonder Woman's birth. While delving into the history of the Amazons and enriching Wonder Woman's mythology 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' view of Diana's appeal relative to the world-building elements of her story. The urgency to launch a new Batman franchise, potentially resulting in two concurrent live-action Batmen, contrasts sharply with the neglect of Wonder Woman.
This treatment is reminiscent of the DC Animated Universe from the '90s and early 2000s, where Wonder Woman was a key figure in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited but never received her own solo series. Despite her prominence 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 content, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project across various media is puzzling.
AnswerSee ResultsLet Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit
The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. While the failure of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus may have played a role, the long development cycle ending in cancellation feels like a missed opportunity, especially as it would have been Diana's first lead role in a video game. With the resurgence of character action games, an action-adventure title starring Wonder Woman, akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden, seems timely and fitting.
While 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 centered around her is glaring. The success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series highlights the untapped potential for similar games featuring 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 sees her killed off as a non-playable character, while the male members of the Justice League, albeit as evil clones, survive.
This consistent underrepresentation—from the faltering film franchise to the lack of animated series and video game presence—reflects a troubling lack of respect by Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If such a significant figure in their roster is treated with such disregard, it raises concerns about the broader DC brand. As James Gunn's Superman reboot aims to revitalize the DCU, it is imperative that Warner Bros. recognizes the value Diana Prince brings to their universe. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.
