"Wonder Woman's Future Uncertain After 5 Years of Setbacks"

2025 marks a pivotal year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to inaugurate the new DCU on the big screen, alongside a robust lineup of films and TV shows from DC Studios. Additionally, the Absolute Universe in the comics is generating significant buzz within DC's publishing sector. Amidst this flurry of activity and anticipation for the DC universe's new media slate, a pressing question looms large: What is the future of Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter, Wonder Woman is a cornerstone of the DC universe and one of the most iconic superheroes. Yet, her presence in recent DC franchise media has been surprisingly subdued.

Beyond the pages of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced challenges in recent years. Her live-action film series struggled following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she lacks a dedicated project in the current DCU lineup, with Gunn and his team favoring a series about the Amazons instead. Wonder Woman has also never had her own animated series, and her first-ever solo video game, announced in 2021, was unfortunately cancelled. Given these setbacks, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are handling the portrayal of this legendary female superhero. Let's explore how they might be missing the mark with Wonder Woman.

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 for DC. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. Following the divisive reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' vision of Diana resonated with audiences in a way that previous DC films had not. While the movie isn't without its flaws, such as third act problems and Gal Gadot's portrayal focusing more on physical presence than depth, its strong performance suggested the potential for a thriving franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not live up to expectations. It received mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget in theaters, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the film's own issues, including a disjointed narrative, tonal inconsistencies, and ethically questionable scenes (such as Diana having sex with Chris Pine's Steve Trevor while he inhabits another man's body), further contributed to its lukewarm reception. Despite its shortcomings, the franchise's potential shouldn't have been sidelined. A third film was phased out of development, leaving Wonder Woman without a new cinematic outing. Given the numerous relaunches for characters like Batman and Spider-Man, it's disheartening to see Wonder Woman sidelined after one underperforming sequel.

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 initial lineup, titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, does not include a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and producing partner Peter Safran are focusing on less mainstream properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's value in exploring lesser-known IPs (as evidenced by Gunn's success with Guardians of the Galaxy), it's notable that these projects are accompanied by new iterations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern—yet Wonder Woman is conspicuously absent.

Instead of a Wonder Woman project, the DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series centered on the Amazons of Themyscira set before Diana's birth. While delving into the Amazons' history and enriching Wonder Woman's mythology is commendable, creating a show within her franchise without her feels reminiscent of the Sony Marvel Universe. It raises questions about why DC Studios doesn't view Diana as the main attraction compared to the world-building around her. Why rush to launch a new Batman franchise potentially overlapping with another, but not prioritize Wonder Woman in the DC universe?

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Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit

The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. While it's unclear if the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to this decision, the long development time ending in cancellation feels like a missed opportunity, especially since it would have been Diana's first leading role in a video game. With the resurgence of character action games, a Wonder Woman game akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden seems perfectly timed. If Kratos is occupied, surely Wonder Woman could step in and take on the mantle of battling Greek mythology-inspired foes.

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 featuring her is a glaring oversight. DC's failure to capitalize on the success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series with games centered on Wonder Woman, Superman, or the Justice League is a missed opportunity for revenue and respect for the character. It's particularly galling that her 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 Justice League members survive as evil clones.

The combination of a struggling film franchise, the absence of dedicated cartoons, and the disappointing representation in video games highlights a lack of respect from Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue such a pivotal figure in their lineup, it casts doubt on their appreciation for the broader DC universe. As Gunn's Superman reboot promises a new era of DC adaptations, it's crucial that Warner Bros. doesn't overlook the immense potential and cultural significance of Diana Prince. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve more.