"Wonder Woman: 5 Years Post-1984, Facing Cancellations and Uncertainty"

2025 marks a significant year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to kickstart the new DCU, alongside a robust lineup of film and television projects from DC Studios, and the Absolute Universe making waves in the comics. Amidst this flurry of activity, one glaring question remains unanswered: What is happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she stands as one of the most iconic superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe. Yet, her presence in recent DC media has been surprisingly muted.

Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks. Following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, her live-action film franchise has stalled, and she's notably absent from the current DCU lineup. Instead of focusing on Wonder Woman, Gunn and his team have chosen to develop a show about the Amazons. Furthermore, despite announcements back in 2021, her first solo video game was cancelled, and she has never had her own animated series. Given these developments, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are handling the most iconic female superhero in history.

One Hit Wonder

During the peak of the Marvel vs. DCEU competition 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. After the divisive responses to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated with audiences. While not without flaws, such as third act problems and a focus on Gal Gadot's physicality over character depth, the film's success suggested a promising future for a blockbuster franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not meet these expectations. It received mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget, a situation exacerbated by its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sequel's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, like Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body, further alienated audiences. Despite these setbacks, the lack of a third film, which was phased out of development, and the absence of other Wonder Woman projects across media, is a missed opportunity, especially when compared to the frequent reboots of characters like Batman and Spider-Man.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

As the new DCU launches with Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, it's surprising that Wonder Woman isn't a focal point. The lineup includes projects like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, along with new iterations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. Yet, there's no dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios has greenlit Paradise Lost, a series about the Amazons of Themyscira set before Wonder Woman's birth. While exploring the Amazons' history is valuable, creating a Wonder Woman-related series without Wonder Woman herself feels reminiscent of the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about DC's perception of Diana's draw compared to the world-building elements of her mythology.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

View 39 Images

The DC Animated Universe from the '90s and early 2000s showcased Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, yet she never received her own solo series, unlike Batman and Superman. Even in the direct-to-video DC Universe animated films, she has only led two titles: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the booming popularity of superhero media, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is perplexing.

AnswerSee ResultsLet Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit

The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions adds insult to injury. While other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus have struggled, the loss of Diana's first leading role in a video game is particularly disappointing. 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 starring her is glaring. The failure to capitalize on the success of the Batman Arkham series with games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, or the Justice League is a missed opportunity, especially when Diana's first appearance in the Arkham timeline in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League saw her being killed off as a non-playable character.

The lack of progress in Wonder Woman's film, television, and gaming presence underscores a troubling lack of respect from Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. As Gunn's Superman reboot aims to revitalize the DCU, it's crucial that Warner Bros. doesn't overlook the value that Diana Prince can bring to their franchise. After nearly a century, Wonder Woman and her fans deserve more.