2025 marks a pivotal year for DC. James Gunn’s Superman film kicks off the new DCU in theaters, DC Studios is advancing multiple film and TV projects, and the Absolute Universe comics are generating buzz in DC’s publishing arm. Yet, amid this wave of new DC content, one glaring question looms: What’s next for Wonder Woman? Created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter, this iconic superhero is a cornerstone of the DC universe, but her presence in recent DC media feels surprisingly absent.

Beyond the comics, Diana of Themyscira has faced challenges in recent years. Her live-action film series stalled after the lukewarm response to Wonder Woman 1984, she’s absent from the current DCU project slate (with a focus instead on an Amazons-centered show), she’s never had a solo animated series, and her first planned solo video game, announced in 2021, was scrapped. Considering her struggles, it’s fair to question how Warner Bros. is handling this legendary female superhero. Let’s explore how DC and Warner Bros. are missing the mark with Wonder Woman.

A Singular Success

During the late 2010s rivalry between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DCEU, the 2017 Wonder Woman film stood out as a triumph for DC. It earned widespread praise and grossed over $800 million worldwide. After divisive films like Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, Patty Jenkins’ portrayal of Diana resonated deeply with audiences. The movie wasn’t flawless—its final act faltered, and Gal Gadot’s performance leaned more on grace and action than emotional depth. Still, its success should have launched a thriving blockbuster franchise.

However, the 2020 sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, fell short. It divided critics, failed to recover its budget in theaters, and faced challenges from its simultaneous HBO Max release during the COVID pandemic. A muddled storyline, inconsistent tone, and questionable elements—like Diana’s romantic involvement with Steve Trevor in another man’s body—didn’t help. The sequel’s mediocrity squandered the momentum of the original.

Even with 1984’s flaws, sidelining Wonder Woman feels unjust. Characters like Batman and Spider-Man get frequent reboots, yet Wonder Woman remains overlooked after one misstep. Other media could have filled the gap, but her absence extends far beyond the big screen.

Diana Prince, Sidelined

With the DCU launching a fresh slate of adaptations, you’d expect Wonder Woman to be a priority. Yet, the Chapter One: Gods and Monsters lineup omits a dedicated Wonder Woman project. Instead, DC Studios leaders James Gunn and Peter Safran are focusing on lesser-known properties like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority. While obscure adaptations can succeed—as Gunn proved with Guardians of the Galaxy—new takes on Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern are also in the works, leaving Wonder Woman noticeably absent.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

The DCU has announced Paradise Lost, a TV series about the Amazons of Themyscira set before Diana’s birth. Exploring the Amazons’ history is a solid idea, but creating a Wonder Woman-adjacent show without her feels like a Sony Marvel Universe-style misstep. It raises questions about why DC Studios prioritizes world-building over Diana herself. Why is a new Batman project fast-tracked—potentially leading to two concurrent Batman franchises—while Wonder Woman is left out of the DCU?

This treatment of DC’s Trinity member isn’t new. The ‘90s and early 2000s DC Animated Universe featured Wonder Woman prominently in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, but she never got a solo series like Batman or Superman. In nearly a century since her debut, she’s never had a dedicated animated show. While a regular in DC’s direct-to-video animated films, she’s only starred in two: Wonder Woman (2009) and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019). Given the superhero genre’s dominance, it’s puzzling why Wonder Woman projects are so scarce.

Where’s Wonder Woman’s Game?

The cancellation of a Wonder Woman game by Monolith Productions stings especially hard. While it’s unclear if the failures of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus doomed the project, its long development ending in nothing feels like a missed opportunity for Diana’s first starring game. With character action games regaining popularity, a Wonder Woman title in the vein of God of War or Ninja Gaiden seems ideal. If Kratos is occupied, why not let Diana tackle Greek mythology-inspired foes?

True, Diana has been playable in games like Injustice, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and LEGO DC titles. But let’s be honest: there’s no excuse for Wonder Woman lacking a AAA action game. DC’s failure to capitalize on the success of Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series with Wonder Woman, Superman, or Justice League games is a baffling missed opportunity. Worse, Diana’s debut in the Arkham timeline sees her killed off as a non-playable character in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, while male Justice League members survive as “evil clones.”

From a faltering film series to absent cartoons and poor video game representation, Warner Bros. and DC’s handling of Wonder Woman shows a surprising disregard for one of their most iconic heroes. If they undervalue a key member of their Trinity, it raises doubts about their care for DC’s broader roster. As Gunn’s Superman reboot aims to revitalize the DCU, here’s hoping Warner Bros. recognizes Diana Prince’s potential. After nearly a century, she and her fans deserve better.