The Lasso of Truth has run short on this one. Per The Holl Reporter, Wonder Woman 3 is reportedly no longer moving forward at DC Studios. Patty Jenkins, who directed the first two installments, would have returned alongside star Gal Gadot for the third entry in the franchise. At the moment, the cause of the cancellation is being attributed to the sequel not aligning with the new blueprint being set by co-chairs of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Both Gunn and Safran recently returned to Los Angeles from Aspen following an extensive planning session for DC Studios. It is speculated that the duo broke the news to Jenkins, who is said to have recently turned in a draft, co-written by Geoff Johns. While the next incarnation of the character by Jenkins —in its current state— won’t see the light of day, this may not necessarily be the end for Gadot’s take on the character. The actress recently tweeted a “thank you” to fans, sharing “she can’t wait for the next chapter.” It is unclear if Gadot was aware of the film’s fate at the time of tweeting.
The Legacy of Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman started on small steps and has since carved a pedestal of her very own. Originally appearing in the shaky Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman teams up with the once-enemies Batman and Superman to take down a monster cooked up by Lex Luthor. The positive reaction to her reveal led to the 2017 Wonder Woman, starring Gadot, directed by Patty Jenkins. The film told the origin story of the Amazon princess turned hero, as she discovered the world that was currently enveloped in The Great War. The movie was considered a hit, with praises from both critics and fans alike, some critics calling it DC Extended Universe’s best film.
So naturally, the film would get a sequel in 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984. After several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film premiered in December 2020 both theatrically and on HBO Max. This film followed Diana being reunited with her lost love, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), and facing the incoming threat of Maxwell Lord and Cheetah. Wonder Woman 1984 was met with more critical eyes than its predecessor and fell short of breaking even at the box office.
Even if the second film was not up to par with the first, this news still comes as a major blow to fans of the character, who were hoping for one last adventure with their favorite hero.
Maybe Henry Cavill and Jason Momoa won’t play Superman and Aquaman again
What remains of DC in its current cinematic state is in a shifting period, which involves the closing of the previous Snyderverse and the actors that portrayed the heroes. According to the sources, this means that the likes of Henry Cavill and Jason Momoa will no longer be returning as Superman and Aquaman. There is currently a debate within the studio on the status of certain cameos with those characters in the upcoming Flash movie set to release in June, with some voices saying that including the appearances means giving empty promises to fans.
This news also comes just after Black Adam’s disappointing box office run was announced. While Dwayne Johnson, who starred as the titular character, was hoping to bring big things to DC (ending the film with a promising cameo of Henry Cavill’s Superman). But with the new shifting direction, there’s a chance of the character being left behind. But according to sources at THR, the same is not quite so for Jason Momoa, who is rumored to possibly return in the new DC Extended Universe, but as the intergalactic bounty hunter, Lobo.
Future of DC Extended Universe
Gunn and Safran’s vision for the forthcoming DC projects remains unknown, though the work the two have been putting in is already abundantly clear. Gunn recently posted a photo on social media, teasing the infamous Kingdom Come comic book storyline, leading to speculations about its place in DC Studios’ future. Additionally, newly released promotional materials from CCXP for next year’s Blue Beetle reignited excitement from fans for the upcoming feature. Gunn and Safran undoubtedly have a tough challenge ahead of them, trying to establish their cinematic blueprint amidst the several projects already in development.
The next DC Universe release will be Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which releases May 17, 2023. It will be followed by The Flash starring the troubled Ezra Miller, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The future afterward is currently uncertain as Gunn and Safran decide upon their 10-year plan for the DCU.
