2025 marks a significant year for DC with James Gunn's Superman film set to kick off the new DCU in theaters, alongside various other film and television projects in the works, and the Absolute Universe making major impacts in the comic publishing world. Amidst this exciting lineup, a pressing question remains: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she stands as one of the most recognized superheroes and a pivotal figure in the DC universe, yet her presence in recent DC media has been surprisingly minimal.

Outside of comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Her live-action film series hit a snag after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she's absent from the current DCU slate, which instead prioritizes a series about the Amazons. Additionally, Diana has never starred in her own animated series, and her first solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. This raises concerns about Warner Bros.' strategy for handling one of the most iconic female superheroes. Let's delve into how Warner Bros. and DC might be mishandling Wonder Woman's potential.

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 the DCEU. 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' portrayal of Diana resonated with audiences in a way the previous DC films had not. While not flawless, with third act issues 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 inconsistencies, tonal shifts, 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 and the absence of other Wonder Woman projects across different media is disappointing, especially when compared to the frequent reboots and relaunches of characters like Batman and Spider-Man.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

With the new DCU set to launch a fresh slate of 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' James Gunn and Peter Safran have chosen to focus on 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, especially when other major characters are being prioritized.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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The DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a series about the Amazons of Themyscira set before Wonder Woman's birth. While exploring the Amazons' history and enriching Wonder Woman's mythology is commendable, creating a show within the Wonder Woman franchise without featuring Wonder Woman herself 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 lack of a Wonder Woman project.

This approach to the third member of DC's Trinity is reminiscent of past trends. The DC Animated Universe prominently featured Wonder Woman 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 over the last few decades, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is puzzling.

The recent 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 character action games experiencing a resurgence, 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 significant oversight. 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 dedicated animated series, and poor video game representation reflects a concerning 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. moves forward, they must not overlook the immense value that Diana Prince brings to their franchise. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.