2025 marks a significant year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to kickstart the new DCU theatrically. Alongside this, DC Studios is gearing up with multiple film and television projects, while the Absolute Universe in comics is generating buzz in the publishing world. Despite this wave of excitement for the DC universe's new media slate, a critical question looms large: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, Wonder Woman is one of the most recognizable superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe, yet her presence in recent DC franchise media has been disappointingly sparse.

Outside the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks in recent years. Her live-action film franchise struggled following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she's 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-ever solo video game, announced back in 2021, was unfortunately cancelled. Given these challenges, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are handling one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time.

Amidst the fierce competition between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a standout success for the latter. The 2017 film garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. Following the polarizing responses to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated deeply with audiences. While the movie isn't without flaws—particularly in its third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance, which focused more on action and poise than character depth—it set the stage for what should have been a flourishing franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not meet expectations. It divided critics and failed to recoup its budget at the box office, partly due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative was poorly structured, tonally inconsistent, and included some problematic elements, such as Diana having sex with Chris Pine's Steve Trevor while he was in another man's body. These issues contributed to its lukewarm reception. Despite these setbacks, a third Wonder Woman film was phased out of development, leaving fans wondering why such a beloved character hasn't been given another chance, especially when other heroes like Batman and Spider-Man receive multiple reboots.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

With the new DCU launching a fresh array of DC adaptations, one would expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the DCU's initial slate, Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, lacks a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and producing partner Peter Safran have chosen to focus on less mainstream properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's merit in exploring lesser-known IPs, as Gunn successfully did with Guardians of the Galaxy, this approach seems puzzling when new iterations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern are also in the works, but Wonder Woman remains absent.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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Instead of a Wonder Woman project, the DCU has greenlit Paradise Lost, a TV series centered on 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 her feels reminiscent of the Sony Marvel Universe. This decision raises questions about DC Studios' view on whether Diana is the main attraction or merely a backdrop for world-building. The urgency to launch multiple Batman projects, potentially leading to concurrent live-action franchises, contrasts starkly with the absence of a Wonder Woman project in the new DCU.

Historically, the DC Animated Universe in the '90s and early 2000s included Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received her own series, unlike Batman and Superman. Even after nearly a century since her debut, Wonder Woman has not had a dedicated animated series. She's featured in various DC Universe direct-to-video animated films, yet has starred in only two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the popularity of superhero content in recent decades, the lack of a solo Wonder Woman project is perplexing.

The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game in development at Monolith Productions only adds to the frustration. Whether the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus played a role is unclear, but the lengthy development of the Wonder Woman game ending in cancellation feels like a missed opportunity, especially since it would have been her first lead role in a game. With character action games experiencing a resurgence, a Wonder Woman game akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden seems overdue. 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 Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series with games featuring 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 sees her killed off as a non-playable character, while the male members of the Justice League survive as evil clones.

The lack of progress in Wonder Woman's film franchise, absence from animated series, and poor representation in video games underscore a troubling lack of respect from Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If the third biggest hero in their roster is treated with such disregard, it raises doubts about the respect for the broader DC brand. As James Gunn's Superman reboot aims to rejuvenate the DCU, it's crucial that Warner Bros. doesn't overlook the immense value Diana Prince brings to their universe. After nearly a century, both she and her fans deserve more.