DC's Wonder Woman: From 1984 to Uncertainty

2025 is a significant year for DC, with James Gunn’s Superman film set to launch the new DCU theatrically. DC Studios is also working on multiple film and television projects, and the Absolute Universe is making a big impact in DC's publishing division. Amidst this excitement for new DC universe media, a pressing question remains: What’s happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, Wonder Woman is one of the most iconic superheroes and a crucial part of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent DC franchise media has been surprisingly minimal.

Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced challenges in recent years. Her live-action film franchise struggled after 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. Wonder Woman has never had a dedicated animated series, and her first solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. Given these setbacks, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are managing one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time.

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 the latter. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and earned over $800 million globally. Following the polarizing reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins’ vision of Diana resonated with audiences in a way that previous DC films hadn't. While not flawless, with third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action than character depth, the film's success suggested the potential for a thriving franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not live up to expectations. It divided critics and failed to recoup its budget at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative structure, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body, contributed to its lukewarm reception. Despite these challenges, the absence of a third film in development and the lack of other Wonder Woman projects across different media is disappointing, especially when compared to the frequent relaunches of characters like Batman and Spider-Man.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

With the new DCU ushering in a fresh slate of adaptations, one would expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. However, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and Peter Safran have prioritized lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, alongside new takes on Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. While exploring obscure IPs has proven successful for Gunn in the past, the absence of Wonder Woman is notable.

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The DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series focusing on the Amazons of Themiscyra set before Wonder Woman's birth. While delving into the history of the Amazons and expanding Wonder Woman's mythology is commendable, creating a show within her franchise without featuring her evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about DC Studios' perception of Diana as a primary draw versus her associated world-building. The urgency to launch a new Batman franchise, potentially running two simultaneously, contrasts starkly with the lack of a Wonder Woman project.

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 a solo series like Batman or Superman. Despite her regular appearances in DC Universe animated films, she has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. With the surge in superhero media over the past few decades, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is perplexing.

The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions is particularly disappointing. Whether the failure of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus played a role in its demise remains unclear, but the game would have marked Diana's first lead role in a video game. With character action games experiencing a resurgence, the timing seemed perfect for a Wonder Woman game akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden. Although Diana has appeared in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC titles, the lack of a AAA action game starring her is a missed opportunity.

DC's failure to capitalize on the success of Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series by developing games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a significant oversight. The insult is compounded by Diana's first appearance in the Arkham timeline in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, where she is killed off as a non-playable character, while the male members of the Justice League survive as evil clones.

The overall lack of attention to Wonder Woman's film franchise, animated series, and video game representation reflects a troubling disregard for one of DC's most iconic characters. If Warner Bros. and DC show such little respect for their third biggest hero, it casts doubt on their commitment to the broader DC brand. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will pave the way for a new era of DC adaptations. As Warner Bros. moves forward with their relaunched franchise, they must recognize the value that Diana Prince brings to their enterprise. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve more.