2025 marks a pivotal year for DC. James Gunn's Superman movie will inaugurate the new DCU cinematic lineup, while DC Studios has multiple film and TV projects in development, and the Absolute Universe comics are making waves in DC's publishing division. Yet amidst this excitement, one glaring question remains: What's happening with Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter, she's one of DC's most legendary superheroes—yet her recent media presence has been surprisingly scarce.

Outside comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced challenges in recent years. Her live-action franchise stumbled after Wonder Woman 1984 received mixed reviews. She's absent from DCU's current slate (replaced by an Amazon-focused series), lacks a dedicated animated show, and her first solo video game—announced in 2021—was canceled. Given these setbacks, Warner Bros.' handling of pop culture's most iconic female superhero raises serious questions. Let's examine where DC is faltering with Wonder Woman.

A Franchise That Never Took Flight

During the peak MCU-DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film became DCEU's standout success. The 2017 movie earned critical praise and grossed $800+ million globally. Unlike divisive predecessors (Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad), Patty Jenkins' Diana resonated strongly. While flawed—the third-act issues and Gal Gadot's limited emotional range were apparent—its performance should've launched a major franchise.

Instead, Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) disappointed critically and commercially, failing to recoup costs despite pandemic-era HBO Max/TV hybrid release. Beyond external factors, its messy narrative and uncomfortable plot points (like Diana's ethically questionable romance with possessed Steve Trevor) alienated audiences. While other icons like Batman get endless reboots after failures, Diana's franchise was shelved after one misfire—an unjustified neglect for such a pivotal character.

The Absent Amazon

As the DCU launches, Wonder Woman's exclusion from Chapter One: Gods and Monsters is baffling. While James Gunn prioritizes deep cuts (Creature Commandos, The Authority) alongside expected Superman/Batman projects, Diana is conspicuously absent. Her sole representation? Paradise Lost—an Amazons prequel without Wonder Woman herself. This approach mirrors Sony's misguided Marvel strategy, focusing on worldbuilding while sidelining the actual draw. Why fast-track two concurrent Batman franchises but ignore DC's trinity member?

DC Universe: Upcoming Movies and TV Shows

View 39 Images

This neglect isn't new. The DCAU gave Diana prominence in Justice League but never a solo series—a deficit unaddressed for 80+ years. Her direct-to-video animated films? Only two starring roles (2009's Wonder Woman and 2019's Bloodlines). In an era where superhero content thrives, the difficulty in greenlighting Diana-centric projects is inexplicable.

A Gaming Void

Monolith's canceled Wonder Woman game adds insult to injury. While the axed project's fate may relate to flops like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, losing Diana's first leading game stings—especially when character action games (God of War, Ninja Gaiden) are flourishing. Diana battling Greek mythological foes is a perfect setup Warner Bros. refuses to capitalize on.

Yes, she's playable in Injustice and LEGO games—hardly commensurate with her stature. DC's failure to expand the Arkham formula to Wonder Woman (while killing her off non-playably in Suicide Squad) epitomizes the brand's mismanagement. Meanwhile, male heroes get cloned redemption arcs.

From films to animation to gaming, Warner Bros.' neglect of Wonder Woman exposes deeper issues in valuing DC's IP. If they can't respect their third-most-iconic hero, why trust them with lesser-known characters? As Gunn reboots Superman, hopefully DC remembers—after nearly a century—Diana Prince deserves better.