"Wonder Woman Faces Uncertainty 5 Years Post-1984 Release"

2025 is set to be a monumental year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film launching the new DCU in theaters, alongside a robust lineup of film and television projects from DC Studios. Additionally, the Absolute Universe is making significant strides in DC's comic publishing. Amidst this flurry of activity, one pressing question looms large: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, this iconic superhero and cornerstone of the DC universe seems to be fading into the background of recent DC media.

Outside of the comic books, Diana of Themyscira has faced significant challenges in recent years. Her live-action film series saw a downturn following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she's absent from the current DCU slate, which instead includes a series about the Amazons. Furthermore, Diana has never had her own animated series, and her much-anticipated first solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. These setbacks raise questions about Warner Bros.' strategy for managing one of the most recognizable female superheroes. Let's delve into how Warner Bros. and DC may be mishandling Wonder Woman's potential.

One Hit Wonder

During the peak of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, 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 not flawless, with third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action than depth, the film's strong performance suggested the potential for a thriving franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not meet the same success. It received mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor in another man's body, further alienated audiences. Despite these setbacks, the lack of a third film in development is surprising, especially when characters like Batman and Spider-Man frequently receive reboots and relaunches. Wonder Woman's absence from other franchise media is equally concerning.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

As the new DCU embarks on a fresh slate of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup does not include a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios' James Gunn and Peter Safran have prioritized lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, alongside new iterations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. While there's merit in exploring obscure IPs, the absence of Wonder Woman is notable.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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The DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series focusing on the Amazons of Themyscira set before Wonder Woman's birth. While this series enriches the mythology surrounding Wonder Woman, its lack of the titular character evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about whether DC Studios views Diana as less of a draw than the world-building around her. The urgency to launch a new Batman franchise, potentially running two simultaneously, contrasts starkly with the absence of a Wonder Woman project.

Historically, the DC Animated Universe featured Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received her own solo series, unlike Batman and Superman. Despite her regular appearances 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 popularity of superhero content, the lack of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is puzzling.

AnswerSee ResultsLet 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 its demise, the loss of what would have been Diana's first leading role in a game feels like a missed opportunity. 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.

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 glaring. DC's failure to capitalize on the success of the Batman Arkham series with games centered on Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a missed opportunity. It's particularly galling that Diana's first appearance in the Arkham timeline in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League results in her being killed off as a non-playable character, while the male members of the Justice League survive as evil clones.

The combination of a struggling film franchise, the lack of animated series, and poor video game representation reflects a troubling lack of respect from Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third most significant hero in their lineup, it raises doubts about their regard for the broader DC universe. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will pave the way for 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 brand. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.