James Gunn's DCU Is Already Failing Wonder Woman
James Gunn's DCU has only just begun, but it's already failing Wonder Woman. Today is International Women's Day, which makes it the perfect opportunity to discuss Wonder Woman, the world's most iconic female superhero. Last year, she was named as the most popular female superhero in the United States. From Lynda Carter to Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman has been entertaining comic, movie, and TV fans for nearly a century. DC, for its part, has historically given Wonder Woman a role that befits her popularity. She's often referred to as part of the company's "Trinity" alongside Batman and Superman. There have also been some truly wonderful Wonder Woman comics in recent years. Though Wonder Woman is a global icon who is important to DC's publishing efforts, the DCU hasn't been treating the character like the cultural phenomenon she is.
Wonder Woman Deserves A Solo Project In James Gunn’s DCU
Absolute Wonder Woman #1 main cover art
James Gunn's DCU is already well underway. Superman, Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, Creature Commandos, and more have already gotten the franchise started on the right foot. Upcoming DC movies and shows like Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface will ensure that the DCU keeps going in the right direction. For all these plans, however, the DCU is still failing Wonder Woman. At the time of writing, the only Wonder Woman project on the horizon for the DCU is Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost. Gunn recently debunked rumors that the Wonder Woman prequel series had been canceled, but even that confirmation of its development isn't enough. Paradise Lost is, at best, years away, and we haven't heard anything official about a new Wonder Woman movie since June. It's clear that Wonder Woman is not a priority for the DCU despite her status as a legendary superhero. A character as iconic and important as Wonder Woman deserves more than a plan for an eventual show and movie in the DCU. She should have been a pillar of the franchise from the start, just as Superman already is. How in the world is Clayface, a Batman villain, getting a solo project before Wonder Woman does? How did Creature Commandos take priority over Wonder Woman, even if it is an animated series? Gunn's DCU simply should have made Diana Prince more of a focus of the franchise, and the fact that she isn't is a sign that the franchise is failing her. 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. James Gunn's DCU is failing Wonder Woman at a time when she has the potential to become even more popular than ever before.
Wonder Woman Was One Of The Best Parts Of Zack Snyder’s DCEU
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in the DCEU
The hazy plans for Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost in James Gunn's DCU are even more disappointing considering how well Zack Snyder's DCEU handled her. There are a lot of valid complaints about Snyder's handling of the DCEU, from some bad films like The Flash and Black Adam to questionable character decisions with Superman. The one thing almost everyone can agree on, however, is that the DCEU did Wonder Woman justice.
The 2017 Wonder Woman movie was a massive success both financially and critically. It earned 93% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely regarded as one of the best DCEU movies ever made. While the same can't be said for Wonder Woman 1984, the 2017 Wonder Woman movie was an excellent film that handled Diana's character maturely and with a great deal of respect. Simply put, the DCEU showed Wonder Woman being cool. Wonder Woman was also a central pillar of the DCEU. She was an important part of the Justice League in-universe and the DCEU's plans in the real world. The DCEU saw the value of Wonder Woman and gave her the attention such a legendary character deserves. The same can't be said for the early days of James Gunn's DCU.
A Solo Wonder Woman Show Is Long Overdue
Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman looking offscreen
Even with Zack Snyder's great depictions of her in the DCEU, Wonder Woman has been snubbed by DC for decades. Gal Gadot's movies were a step in the right direction, but DC has mostly been failing Wonder Woman on the small screen. Wonder Woman is the only major DC superhero who hasn't had a solo TV series in over half a century. The only solo Wonder Woman show is the 1975 live action series starring Lynda Carter.
In the 51 years since Carter's Wonder Woman premiered, DC has made dozens of shows centered around other superheroes. Six live-action Superman shows have been made alongside dozens of animated shows, while Batman has accumulated nine animated shows over the years. Green Lantern has an animated series, while The Flash, Green Arrow, and even Batwoman all have live-action shows through The CW.
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What’s Going On With The DCU’s Wonder Woman Movie?
A new Wonder Woman movie is in the works for James Gunn's DC Universe, with updates on the anticipated film and Gal Gadot's replacement emerging.
The list only gets worse as time goes on. Green Lantern is getting a live-action series through Lanterns, Amanda Waller is getting a show, and Batman: The Caped Crusader is getting a second season. Wonder Woman, on the other hand, has only appeared in team-up shows like Justice League Unlimited, and hasn't starred in a solo show since 1979. She may get a single Smallville-esque origin show if the plans for Paradise Lost don't fall through. DC's history and plans for television projects proves it: the franchise doesn't value Wonder Woman as much as it should. The time is now for James Gunn to start making up for DC's decades-long treatment of the character. The start of the DCU may not have given Wonder Woman the respect she deserves, but it can still correct course through Paradise Lost and new solo projects.
