A year or two make quite the difference. In 2020, it seemed as if Wonder Woman was going to be the new star of the DCEU. When Wonder Woman 1984 became such a flop, all the hype behind such idea died down. A sequel was quickly greenlit, regardless, and fans still want Gal Gadot around — now, however, neither the third movie nor Gadot’s status looks feasible.
According to a report by Variety, Co-Heads of the new DC Studios Peter Safran and James Gunn have no plans for the Amazon warrior in their upcoming slate. It says, “As 2023 kicks off, DC bosses Gunn and Safran continue to sift through the rubble. And will soon reveal their three-year interconnected vision…which won’t include Cavill’s Superman or Wonder Woman at all.”
Note we’re talking phase one but this choice is strange when you look back at the words in their statement issued when they took charge, particularly where it says their “commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent.”
Taking the report and the statement each at face value, Gunn and Safran look like they weren’t being entirely straightforward about Wonder Woman. Either that or they realized they could not work with director Patty Jenkins — who’s been reported to be difficult to work with behind the scenes. In any case, they’re doing Warner Bros. Discovery a favor by giving them one less film franchise to worry about.
CEO David Zaslav is eager to make cuts, although WW might be one to reconsider. Though WW84 didn’t make bank, Diana was rather profitable as a part of the Snyderverse. Her 2017 solo adventure grossed a respectable $822 million worldwide, outearning Man of Steel and Justice League. Her first appearance in the DCEU, Batman v Superman, performed better with an $873M total.
Wonder Woman remains one of DC’s elite and most popular IPs and WB had success with Gadot in the part. However, things may be done even on the actress’s end after she posted a tweet acknowledging the fact she’s played Diana for eight years. “A few years ago it was announced that I was going to play Wonder Woman,” she wrote.
“I’ve been so grateful for the opportunity to play such an incredible, iconic character and more than anything I’m grateful for YOU. The fans. Can’t wait to share her next chapter with you,” Gadot added. This was taken as a farewell in some circles but, as that is unconfirmed at this time, her message leaves the door open.
And it might be as Gunn has responded to the Variety piece, debunking it as another piece of hearsay by the trades. “I hereby debunk it (only because it’s not true),” he tweeted in a thread when questioned. He would remind everyone later that his and Safran’s slate, some of which will be revealed this month, spans eight to ten years.
While this doesn’t mean job security for Gadot or that Wonder Woman will enter the picture in the next three years, Gunn’s posts come as a reprieve to the uncertainty regarding the plan for DC Studios which he indicates will be unveiled gradually rather than one big reveal. If it ends two months of chaos and dismay is another question.
