Despite her status as one of the world’s most famous female superheroes, Wonder Woman remains largely overlooked in James Gunn’s emerging DC Universe (DCU). On International Women’s Day, which feels like the perfect occasion to highlight her, the lack of significant Wonder Woman projects is striking, even though she continues to rank as the most popular female superhero in the United States. While Wonder Woman’s legacy spans nearly a century—from Lynda Carter’s classic portrayal to Gal Gadot’s recent films—the DCU appears to be sidelining her in favor of other characters.
Wonder Woman’s Position Overlooked in James Gunn’s DC Universe Plans
James Gunn’s work with the DCU is underway, with successful launches including Superman, Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, and Creature Commandos. Upcoming shows and films like Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface are set to expand the universe further. However, amid this momentum, Wonder Woman is noticeably absent from major early projects. The only confirmed Wonder Woman endeavor remains Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost, a prequel series that Gunn recently confirmed is still in development, despite rumors of its cancellation. This show remains years away, and no new Wonder Woman films have been officially announced since June, underscoring how little priority is given to her character at present.
Given her iconic status, Wonder Woman deserves a more prominent role before the franchise focuses on other, less central characters. The fact that Clayface, a relatively minor Batman villain, is receiving a solo series before Wonder Woman, or that Creature Commandos—an animated series about a lesser-known team—are prioritized, highlights the misalignment in the DCU’s approach. The franchise should have celebrated Diana Prince as a central figure right from the start, akin to Superman’s prominence.
Ignoring Wonder Woman as a key character in the DCU is a significant oversight, especially considering her potential to elevate the franchise. The sidelining of such a cultural and heroic figure can be seen as a failure of the DCU’s current strategy, emphasizing male or niche characters instead of embracing one of DC’s most legendary superheroes.
How Zack Snyder’s DCEU Successfully Elevated Wonder Woman
The uncertainty surrounding Wonder Woman’s role in James Gunn’s DCU contrasts sharply with the character’s strong presence during Zack Snyder’s tenure in the DCEU. Although the DCEU is often criticized for uneven quality, the depiction of Wonder Woman attracted broad praise. The 2017 Wonder Woman movie became a huge success, both critically and financially, boasting a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earning widespread recognition as one of the best films in the DCEU line-up.
This film handled Diana’s character with maturity and respect, portraying her as a compelling and admirable superhero. Wonder Woman was more than just a cameo or side character; she stood as a fundamental pillar of the DCEU, central to the Justice League storylines and the franchise’s broader vision. This recognition of her importance is lacking in the initial phase of James Gunn’s DCU, where her presence feels diminished despite her proven appeal and iconic status.
The Need for a Dedicated Wonder Woman Television Series
Even before the DCEU, Wonder Woman has often been sidelined on television. Aside from the 1975 live-action series starring Lynda Carter—the only solo Wonder Woman TV show for over half a century—DC has repeatedly prioritized other superheroes in serialized formats. Various Superman shows, ranging from six live-action series to numerous animated adaptations, and nine separate animated Batman shows, illustrate the disproportionate focus Wonder Woman has faced.
Other DC heroes like Green Lantern, The Flash, Green Arrow, and Batwoman have enjoyed multiple live-action series, often airing on The CW. Yet Wonder Woman’s television appearances have been limited mostly to team ensemble shows such as Justice League Unlimited. Since Carter’s series ended in 1979, Wonder Woman has not headlined a solo show, leaving a significant gap in her media representation.
While a new Wonder Woman movie is reportedly underway as part of James Gunn’s DCU, comprehensive updates on the film and information about Gal Gadot’s future involvement remain scarce. The prospects for a solo TV show might rest on the success of Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost, which is rumored to focus on her origin story in a format reminiscent of Smallville, but these plans are still tentative.
Meanwhile, various characters have been receiving new shows, including Amanda Waller, Green Lantern, and multiple Batman-related series, emphasizing the relative neglect of Wonder Woman’s solo potential. This imbalance reflects decades of underinvestment in her character’s individual narratives within DC’s television and cinematic universes.
Opportunity to Redress Wonder Woman’s Marginalization in the DCU
DC’s longstanding pattern of sidelining Wonder Woman is evident in its sporadic approach to her projects, despite her clear cultural significance and fan base. James Gunn’s DCU had the potential to break this cycle by positioning Wonder Woman as a foundational figure alongside Superman and Batman from the outset. Although that opportunity appears missed so far, her upcoming projects like Paradise Lost could help rectify the franchise’s earlier neglect.
Recognizing Wonder Woman’s importance and giving her dedicated, high-profile storylines within the DCU would resonate strongly with audiences and add depth to the universe. As one of DC’s most enduring and celebrated superheroes, Wonder Woman’s prominence is vital not only for honoring the character’s legacy but also for broadening the franchise’s appeal. The time is ripe for James Gunn and the DCU team to reverse course and place Wonder Woman at the heart of their storytelling efforts moving forward.
“James Gunn’s DCU is failing Wonder Woman at a time when she has the potential to become even more popular than ever before.”
– Unattributed
“Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost is, at best, years away, and we haven’t heard anything official about a new Wonder Woman movie since June.”
– Unattributed
“How in the world is Clayface, a Batman villain, getting a solo project before Wonder Woman does?”
– Unattributed
“The DCEU showed Wonder Woman being cool.”
– Unattributed
“Wonder Woman is the only major DC superhero who hasn’t had a solo TV series in over half a century.”
– Unattributed
“Wonder Woman should be one of the DCU’s biggest characters, not an afterthought to get to after focusing on niche and male characters first.”
– Unattributed
