2025 marks a pivotal year for DC, with James Gunn's Superman film set to kick off the new DCU theatrically. DC Studios is also bustling with numerous film and television projects, while the Absolute Universe in the comics continues to make significant strides. Amidst this flurry of activity, one glaring omission stands out: the absence of Wonder Woman. Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, she is one of the most recognizable superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe. Yet, her presence in recent DC media has been surprisingly minimal.

Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous setbacks in recent years. Her live-action film series hit a snag after the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984, and she is conspicuously absent from the current DCU lineup. Instead of a Wonder Woman project, Gunn and his team have chosen to develop a show focused on the Amazons. Moreover, Wonder Woman has never had her own animated series, and her first solo video game, announced in 2021, was cancelled. This raises a critical question: what is Warner Bros. doing with one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time? Let's examine how Warner Bros. and DC are mishandling Wonder Woman.

During the peak of the Marvel Cinematic Universe vs. DCEU rivalry in the late 2010s, the first Wonder Woman film emerged as a major success for the DCEU. Released in 2017, it garnered largely positive reviews and grossed over $800 million worldwide. Following the divisive reactions to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' interpretation of Diana resonated deeply with audiences. Although the film has its flaws, such as third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance focusing more on action and poise rather than character depth, its commercial success suggested the potential for a thriving franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not meet the same acclaim. It divided critics and failed to recoup its production costs at the box office, largely due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's narrative issues, tonal inconsistencies, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Chris Pine's Steve Trevor while he possessed another man's body, further alienated audiences. Despite these setbacks, the decision to phase out a third Wonder Woman film was disappointing, especially when considering the multiple relaunches other iconic characters like Batman and Spider-Man receive. The absence of Wonder Woman in other franchise media only adds to the sense of neglect.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

With the DCU set to launch a new era of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a focal point. Yet, the initial slate titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters does not include a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios head James Gunn and producing partner Peter Safran have prioritized lesser-known characters like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's merit in exploring niche properties, as Gunn did successfully with Guardians of the Galaxy, it's puzzling that Wonder Woman is absent while new projects for Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern are in development.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

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The DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a television series set on Themyscira before Wonder Woman's birth, focusing on the Amazons. While delving into the history of the Amazons and enriching Wonder Woman's mythos is commendable, creating a series within the Wonder Woman franchise without Wonder Woman herself evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This approach raises questions about DC Studios' priorities and why they believe the world-building around Wonder Woman is more important than the character herself. It's particularly striking that the DCU is eager to launch multiple Batman projects, potentially running two live-action Batman franchises concurrently, yet cannot find space for Wonder Woman.

This treatment of Wonder Woman echoes historical patterns. The DC Animated Universe from the '90s and early 2000s prominently featured her in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received her own solo animated series, unlike Batman and Superman. Even 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 media over the past few decades, the absence of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is baffling.

The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds insult to injury. It's unclear whether the poor performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus influenced this decision, but the loss of what would have been Diana's first leading role in a video game feels like a missed opportunity. Especially now, with character action games experiencing a resurgence, the timing seemed perfect for an action-adventure game featuring Diana, akin to God of War or Ninja Gaiden.

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 centered on Wonder Woman 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. The situation is exacerbated by Diana's non-playable character status in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, where she is killed off while the male Justice League members, portrayed as evil clones, survive.

This pattern of neglect, from the faltering film franchise to the lack of dedicated animated series and poor video game representation, reflects a troubling 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 roster, it casts doubt on their regard for the broader DC brand. With James Gunn's Superman reboot on the horizon, there's hope for a revitalized DC universe. As Warner Bros. navigates this relaunch, they must not overlook the immense value Diana Prince brings to their enterprise. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.