"DC's Wonder Woman Faces Uncertainty Five 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, alongside a robust lineup of films and television projects from DC Studios, and the Absolute Universe stirring excitement in the comic publishing world. Amidst this flurry of activity, one glaring question remains: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, this iconic superhero and a cornerstone of the DC universe seems to be fading from the spotlight in recent franchise endeavors.

Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced significant challenges in recent years. Her live-action film series stumbled after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she's absent from the current DCU slate, which instead features a show about the Amazons. Wonder Woman has never had a standalone animated series, and her anticipated first solo video game, announced in 2021, was tragically cancelled. This raises the pressing question: What are Warner Bros. and DC doing with one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time? Let's explore how they've mishandled Wonder Woman's potential.

During the peak of the Marvel Cinematic Universe versus DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, the original Wonder Woman film emerged as a beacon of success for the DCEU. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. Following the divisive receptions of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated deeply with audiences. While not without flaws, such as third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action than depth, the film's strong performance suggested the start of a promising franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, failed to meet expectations. It received mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond external factors, the film suffered from a poorly structured narrative, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements like Diana having sex with Steve Trevor while he occupied another man's body. This sequel was a letdown that did not capitalize on the first film's strengths.

Despite the sequel's shortcomings, it's surprising that Wonder Woman's development was phased out. Unlike characters like Batman and Spider-Man, who frequently receive reboots, Wonder Woman has been sidelined following one disappointing film. The absence of Wonder Woman in other franchise media only adds to the frustration.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

As the new DCU ushers in a wave of fresh adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and producing partner Peter Safran have chosen to spotlight less familiar properties such as Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's merit in exploring niche IPs (as Gunn did successfully with Guardians of the Galaxy), it's puzzling that Wonder Woman is missing amidst new projects featuring Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern.

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The DCU's announced project, Paradise Lost, focuses on the Amazons of Themiscyra before Wonder Woman's birth. While enriching the mythology is commendable, a Wonder Woman franchise without Wonder Woman herself evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. It raises questions about why DC Studios prioritizes world-building over featuring Diana as the main attraction. Why rush a second Batman franchise while neglecting Wonder Woman?

This pattern of sidelining Wonder Woman is not new. The DC Animated Universe of the '90s and early 2000s prominently featured her in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received her own solo series like Batman or Superman. Despite being a staple in DC Universe direct-to-video animated films, Wonder Woman has headlined only two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the superhero genre's popularity, it's baffling why a dedicated Wonder Woman project remains elusive.

The cancellation of the anticipated Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions underscores the ongoing neglect. While other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus have struggled, the absence of a game featuring Wonder Woman in the lead role feels like a missed opportunity. With the resurgence of character action games, a Wonder Woman title akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden could have been a perfect fit.

Yes, Diana has appeared in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, but these do not compensate for the lack of a dedicated AAA action game. DC's failure to follow up on the success of the Batman Arkham series with games starring Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a significant oversight. 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 her male counterparts survive as evil clones.

The consistent underrepresentation of Wonder Woman across films, cartoons, and video games reflects a lack of respect from Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third biggest hero in their lineup, it calls into question their regard for the broader DC roster. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will herald a new era of DC adaptations, but as Warner Bros. relaunches its franchise, they must not overlook the immense value that Diana Prince brings to their universe. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve more.