Wonder Woman's Fate: From 1984 to DC Shakeup

2025 marks a pivotal year for DC. James Gunn's Superman movie will officially launch the revitalized DCU in theaters, while DC Studios has numerous film and TV projects underway. Meanwhile, the Absolute Universe comics are making waves in DC's publishing division. Despite this exciting new chapter, one major question lingers: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter, she remains one of comics' most recognizable superheroes and a cornerstone of DC's universe – yet recent adaptations have strangely sidelined her.

Outside comic books, Diana Prince has faced significant setbacks in recent years. Her live-action franchise faltered after Wonder Woman 1984's divisive reception, she's absent from the current DCU lineup (replaced by an Amazons-focused series), lacks a dedicated animated show, and saw her first-ever solo video game get canceled after its 2021 announcement. Given these challenges, fans rightly question Warner Bros.' handling of history's most iconic female superhero. Here's how DC continues dropping the ball with Wonder Woman.

A Spectacular One-Hit Wonder

During the peak MCU vs. DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman stood as DC's undeniable triumph. The 2017 film earned critical acclaim and grossed $800+ million worldwide. Following divisive reactions to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Diana's origin story resonated uniquely with audiences. While not flawless—its third-act issues and Gal Gadot's performance favoring physicality over depth—the film's success should have launched a major franchise.

Yet Wonder Woman 1984 shattered that momentum. The 2020 sequel disappointed critically and failed financially, though COVID-era HBO Max/theatrical releases complicated matters. Beyond distribution challenges, its messy narrative, tonal whiplash, and questionable elements (remember Diana sleeping with Steve Trevor in another man's body?) alienated audiences. What should have been DC's answer to Marvel's long-running franchises became a cautionary tale.

While characters like Batman and Spider-Man receive endless reboots, Wonder Woman deserves better than abandonment after one misstep.

The shelved third film suggests Warner Bros. overreacted to 1984's shortcomings. Unlike Batman's frequent cinematic reinventions, Diana hasn't experienced similar second chances—a puzzling approach given her cultural significance.

The Missing Amazon

As the DCU reboots with Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, Wonder Woman's absence glaringly contrasts with new Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern projects. Instead of Diana-centric content, DC prioritizes lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos and Booster Gold. While diversifying IP has merit (Guardians of the Galaxy proved this), excluding DC's trinity member raises eyebrows.

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The Amazons-centric Paradise Lost raises concerns reminiscent of Sony's Marvel Universe—prioritizing world-building over its central hero. Why fast-track Batman adaptations while neglecting Diana? This mirrors DC's animation history: despite Justice League prominence, she's only headlined two direct-to-video films among dozens starring Batman/Superman. In an era overflowing with superhero content, Wonder Woman's consistent sidelining defies explanation.

Gaming's Greatest Missed Opportunity

Monolith Productions' canceled Wonder Woman game compounded frustrations. While DC games like Suicide Squad flopped, Diana deserved better than losing her first starring game—especially during character-action games' resurgence. Imagine a God of War-style adventure starring DC's Greek-mythology heroine battling mythological threats.

The character-action genre's revival presents perfect timing for Diana's solo game spotlight.

Yes, Wonder Woman appears in Injustice and LEGO games—but no AAA standalone adventure? Rocksteady's Arkham success never expanded beyond Batman, and Diana's Arkhamverse debut sees her killed off in Suicide Squad while male Leaguers survive as clones. This gaming neglect mirrors broader media mistreatment.

Warner Bros.' disregard for Wonder Woman's legacy—from films to games—reflects poorly on their stewardship of DC's universe. If they undervalue their third-most-iconic hero, how can fans trust them with lesser-known characters? While Gunn's Superman reboot aims to refresh DC's brand, overlooking Diana Prince would squander nearly a century of cultural resonance. After decades of patience, Wonder Woman and her fans deserve better.