James Gunn’s DCU Has Already Avoided 2 Big Wonder Woman Mistakes, Years Before Diana Prince’s Debut

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The DC Universe is gaining momentum with hits like Superman and Season 2 of Peacemaker, and fans are looking forward to future projects. James Gunn is already developing a sequel to Superman called Man of Tomorrow, which will feature an unexpected team-up between Superman and Lex Luthor against the villain Brainiac. As Superman’s story grows within the DCU, many are wondering when he’ll cross paths with other major heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. Gunn has revealed that scripts for both Batman and Wonder Woman films are in progress, but release dates won’t be announced until he’s satisfied with the writing.

James Gunn and his team are carefully planning how to introduce major characters like Batman and Wonder Woman into the new DC Universe. This makes sense, as these heroes will be central to the franchise when they finally appear. To ensure the DCU remains successful long-term, it’s crucial to get these iconic characters right, and it seems Gunn is heading in a positive direction with Wonder Woman.

Recasting Wonder Woman in the DCU Is the Right Move

Wonder Woman is no stranger to shared cinematic universes. Gal Gadot famously played the character in the previous DC Extended Universe, starring in her own movies and team-up films like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. While Gadot could certainly reprise the role, it makes sense that a new actress will be cast as Wonder Woman for the upcoming DCU.

It’s unfair to blame Gal Gadot for the struggles of the DC Universe. She was once a major bright spot, especially after her memorable appearance in Batman v Superman. The first Wonder Woman movie was a huge success, receiving excellent reviews and performing well in theaters. Problems started after the disappointing Justice League film. While there was a lot of anticipation for Wonder Woman 1984, the sequel didn’t meet expectations due to some odd creative decisions. Even before James Gunn and Peter Safran took charge of DC Studios, the future of the Wonder Woman series was already uncertain.

Okay, let’s talk Wonder Woman in the new DCU. Honestly, recasting the role makes total sense. This reboot is aiming for a fresh start, and bringing Gal Gadot back would just create a lot of unnecessary questions – why her, when Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck aren’t returning? It’d also immediately remind everyone of the bumpy finish to the previous DC films, especially the reaction to Wonder Woman 1984. For viewers who aren’t deeply invested in the details of franchise filmmaking, it could be confusing and even turn them off, considering how the previous Wonder Woman films were received by the end. A clean break seems like the smartest move here.

Look, just because Gal Gadot won’t be Wonder Woman in James Gunn’s new DC Universe doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of her in a DC film. Gunn already proved he’s willing to work with actors from the previous regime – Jason Momoa’s going from Aquaman to Lobo in the Supergirl movie! So, she could definitely pop up as someone else. But if she does, it won’t be as Diana Prince. Honestly, it makes sense to me – a fresh start is a clean slate for Wonder Woman on screen. Gal Gadot was a fantastic Wonder Woman, embodying so much of what makes the character special. But we’ve seen multiple actors nail Batman and Superman, so I’m confident someone else can bring that same magic to Wonder Woman. It’s exciting to think about a new take!

Wonder Woman Not Being in Man of Tomorrow Is Great for the DCU

With fans eager for news about Wonder Woman’s role in the new DC Universe, rumors have been spreading. One recent claim suggested Wonder Woman had already been cast, but James Gunn has confirmed this isn’t true. While casting for the upcoming film Man of Tomorrow, Gunn was reportedly searching for an actress to play a powerful “warrior” with a fit build and a tough personality. Though this sounded like it could be Wonder Woman, it seems Man of Tomorrow has different plans.

While it hasn’t been officially announced, recent reports suggest a new, powerful female character appearing in Man of Tomorrow is likely Maxima. She’s a DC character who comes to Earth looking for a partner, and she has her sights set on Superman. Though she’s not widely known outside of the comics, Maxima could be a fantastic addition to the DC Universe. James Gunn has a knack for making lesser-known comic book characters popular – as he did recently with Mister Terrific in Superman – and Maxima’s pursuit of Superman promises some fun and unexpected moments. Introducing characters like her also allows the DCU to expand in a natural way.

It’s natural that fans want to see Wonder Woman return to the big screen, but the upcoming Man of Tomorrow movie isn’t the right vehicle for that. A major mistake the DC Extended Universe made was trying to quickly replicate Marvel’s success by forcing the Justice League together in Batman v Superman. While Gal Gadot was good in her brief appearance, the film already had too much going on with Batman and Superman’s conflict and Lex Luthor’s plans. Wonder Woman deserved to be saved for a project where she could be the central character and truly shine.

The second season of Peacemaker received some criticism for focusing too much on setting up future connections to a larger universe, so it’s good news that Man of Tomorrow seems to be avoiding that pitfall. Like Batman v Superman, this film has a lot on its plate: it needs to develop the relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor, and also introduce the villain Brainiac, who hasn’t been seen in a live-action movie before. Forcing Wonder Woman into the story at this point could feel unnatural and would be a letdown. It’s easier to include lesser-known heroes in supporting roles, as they don’t carry the same expectations. Wonder Woman is a major character, and deserves her own dedicated story, rather than just being used to connect to future projects. James Gunn wants each DC movie to stand on its own, and it’s better to let Wonder Woman have her moment in the spotlight later on.

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2026-01-23 21:43