"DC's Wonder Woman Faces Uncertainty Five Years Post-1984"

2025 marks a significant milestone for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to kick off the new DCU in theaters, alongside a robust lineup of film and television projects from DC Studios, and the impactful Absolute Universe reshaping DC's comic publishing landscape. Amidst this flurry of activity, one glaring question looms large: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she's a cornerstone of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent franchise media has been surprisingly subdued.

Outside the pages of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced challenges. Her live-action film series stumbled after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984. There's no dedicated project for her in the current DCU slate, with Gunn and his team choosing instead to focus on a series about the Amazons. Additionally, Wonder Woman has never been the star of her own 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 handling one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time.

During the peak rivalry between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU in the late 2010s, the inaugural Wonder Woman film stood out as a major triumph. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. Following the mixed reactions to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana struck a chord with audiences in a way that previous DC films hadn't. While the film had its flaws, such as third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action than depth, its strong performance should have paved the way for a thriving franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, didn't live up to expectations. It received mixed reviews and failed to recoup its budget at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the film's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and questionable elements, like Diana having sex with Steve Trevor while he's in another man's body, further alienated viewers. Despite these shortcomings, it's disheartening to see Wonder Woman sidelined without a third film in development, especially when other heroes like Batman and Spider-Man receive multiple reboots and relaunches.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

As the DCU embarks on a new era of adaptations with Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, you'd expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the lineup prioritizes lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority, alongside new takes on Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. While there's merit in exploring obscure IPs, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is notable.

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Instead, DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series about the Amazons of Themyscira set before Wonder Woman's birth. While enriching the mythology around Diana is commendable, creating a show within the Wonder Woman franchise without featuring Wonder Woman evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about why DC Studios doesn't view Diana as the central attraction in her own world. The rush to establish multiple Batman projects contrasts sharply with the lack of urgency to include Wonder Woman in the DCU.

Historically, the DC Animated Universe gave Wonder Woman a significant role in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, yet she never received her own solo animated series, unlike Batman and Superman. Despite her frequent appearances in DC Universe animated films, she has only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the superhero genre's popularity, it's puzzling why Wonder Woman struggles to secure her own projects.

The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game in development at Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. While other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus have underperformed, the loss of Wonder Woman's first solo game feels like a missed opportunity, especially as character action games experience a resurgence. A game starring Diana, akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden, could have been a perfect fit.

Yes, Diana has been playable in titles like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and various LEGO DC games. However, the absence of a AAA action game featuring Wonder Woman remains a significant oversight. DC's failure to build on the success of the Batman Arkham series with games centered around Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a missed financial opportunity. It's even more disappointing that Diana's introduction in the Arkham universe in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League saw her killed off as a non-playable character, while the male Justice League members survived as evil clones.

The cumulative effect of these issues—from the struggling film franchise to the lack of dedicated cartoons and poor video game representation—reflects a troubling lack of appreciation by Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third most significant hero in their lineup, it casts doubt on their regard for the broader DC universe. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will signal a new era of DC adaptations, steering away from the DCEU's challenges. As Warner Bros. progresses with its revamped franchise, it's essential they recognize the invaluable contribution Diana Prince can bring. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.