2025 is a big year for DC. James Gunn's Superman film will launch the new DCU theatrically, and DC Studios has a robust lineup of film and television projects in development. Meanwhile, the Absolute Universe in the comics continues to make significant waves in DC's publishing division. Amidst all the excitement surrounding this new slate of DC universe media, a pressing question remains: What's happening with Wonder Woman? As one of the most iconic superheroes and a cornerstone of the DC universe, created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, her absence from recent franchise media is conspicuous.

Outside of the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Her live-action film franchise suffered a setback following the mixed reception of Wonder Woman 1984. Currently, she lacks a project in the new DCU lineup, with Gunn and his team choosing instead to focus on a show about the Amazons. Diana has also never had her own dedicated animated series, and her anticipated first solo video game, announced back in 2021, was cancelled. Given these setbacks, it's crucial to examine how Warner Bros. and DC are handling one of the most iconic female superheroes of all time.

One Hit Wonder

During 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. Released in 2017, the film garnered largely positive reviews and earned over $800 million globally. Following the divisive reception of Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins' portrayal of Diana resonated with audiences in a way that previous DC films had not. While the movie was not without flaws, such as third act problems and Gal Gadot's performance prioritizing poise and action over character depth, its strong performance should have set the stage for a thriving franchise.

However, the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, released in 2020, did not meet the same success. It was a significant disappointment, splitting critics and failing to recoup its budget due to its simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The sequel's narrative inconsistencies, tonal shifts, and controversial elements, such as Diana having sex with Steve Trevor while he inhabited another man's body, failed to capture the magic of the original. Despite these shortcomings, the lack of a third film, which was phased out of development, is disappointing, especially considering the frequent reboots and relaunches of characters like Batman and Spider-Man. The absence of Wonder Woman from other franchise media is equally perplexing.

Diana Prince, Missing in Action

With the new DCU launching a fresh slate of adaptations, one might expect Wonder Woman to be a priority. Yet, the ambitiously named 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 chosen to focus on lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While there's nothing inherently wrong with exploring these obscure IPs, it's curious that these projects are being developed alongside new iterations of Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern, yet 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 announced Paradise Lost, a series focusing on the Amazons of Themyscira before Wonder Woman's birth. While exploring the history of the Amazons and enriching Wonder Woman's mythology is commendable, creating a show within the Wonder Woman franchise that doesn't feature Wonder Woman herself evokes comparisons to the Sony Marvel Universe. This raises questions about why DC Studios doesn't view Diana as the main attraction rather than the world-building around her. The urgency to launch Batman's projects, potentially leading to two simultaneous live-action Batman franchises, contrasts starkly with the absence of a Wonder Woman project.

This approach to the third member of DC's Trinity is reminiscent of past trends. The DC Animated Universe of the '90s and early 2000s showcased Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never received a solo series like Batman or Superman. In fact, Wonder Woman has never had her own animated series despite nearly a century since her debut. She has been a regular in DC Universe direct-to-video animated films, yet only starred in two: Wonder Woman in 2009 and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines in 2019. Given the popularity of superhero content over the past few decades, the lack of a dedicated Wonder Woman project is puzzling.

Let Me Play as Wonder Woman, Dammit

The recent cancellation of the Wonder Woman game developed by Monolith Productions adds to the frustration. It's uncertain whether the disappointing performance of other DC games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus contributed to its demise, but the long development period culminating in nothing feels like a cruel twist of fate. This would have been Diana's first leading role in a video game. At a time when character action games are experiencing a resurgence, a game featuring Diana, similar 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 starring her is inexcusable.

The failure to capitalize on the success of Rocksteady's Batman Arkham series with games featuring Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Justice League is a missed opportunity. 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, portrayed as evil clones, survive.

The combination of a faltering film franchise, the lack of dedicated animated content, and poor video game representation reflects a troubling lack of respect by Warner Bros. and DC for one of their most iconic characters. If they undervalue the third most significant hero in their roster, it raises concerns about their regard for the broader DC brand. Hopefully, Gunn's Superman reboot will pave the way for a new era of DC adaptations, distancing itself from the troubled DCEU. As Warner Bros. progresses with their relaunched franchise, they must not overlook the immense value Diana Prince brings to their universe. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.