The cancelation of Wonder Woman 3 has come as a shock to fans of the Gal Gadot-led sub-franchise, yet in some ways, the move isn't all that surprising. With so much radical upheaval at DC, it was inevitable that some plans and projects would be changed. Nevertheless, given the success of the original 2017 movie and the character's reception from the fan base, abandoning the trilogy-capping sequel altogether is still a major statement of intent from new heads James Gunn and Peter Safran.
It's been a turbulent December 2022 for Wonder Woman. Just one day after Gal Gadot celebrated the anniversary of her casting, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the previously green-lit Wonder Woman 3 would not be moving ahead in its current incarnation. The abrupt about-turn allegedly came about as a result of a decision from the new DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures leaders who concluded that Jenkins' plans did not fit into their vision for the new-look DCU. On the face of it, this looks like an unfortunate case of clashing creative ambitions. However, a look below the surface reveals that the cancelation of Wonder Woman 3 is more complex than it seems.
DC Wants A Fresh Start - Why That Kills Wonder Woman 3
After inheriting a mess in the aftermath of the collapsed Snyderverse, it's clear that James Gunn and Peter Safran are on a mission to reinvigorate the DCU. With Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom all in post-production prior to the pair's arrival, Gunn and Safran have chosen to focus their attention on what comes next for the franchise, rather than writing off previous commitments. While this might be good news for Ezra Miller's The Flash movie, it means that anything that hasn't officially started filming is potentially on the chopping block – with Wonder Woman 3 no exception.
Although leaving a key DC character in limbo might seem like a strange choice, it's a move that actually makes sense within the context of Gunn's and Safran's wider vision. The pair's statements and actions since taking up their posts are broadly indicative of a clean break from the past focused on rebooting rather than continuing the choatic legacy of the earlier DCEU. Though this doesn't mean erasing the past (exemplified by Henry Cavill's return as Superman), it does mean moving the franchise forward in a markedly different direction.
As Gunn himself explained in an Instagram Q&A (via Heroic Hollywood), "Peter and I will help to guide the already filmed projects for the next year, but the new slate won’t start until after Aquaman 2," adding, "We’re excited to be shepherding the great films made before we arrived and working hard to create an extraordinary, wondrous and unique DCU beyond that." This suggests that, while the path for films like Aquaman 2 and The Flash is already set, any future projects will have to adhere to Gunn and Safran's plans for the cinematic universe as a whole. As a part of the previous DCEU, and with a treatment that probably adhered to that structure, Wonder Woman 3 simply didn't meet those criteria.
Did Wonder Woman 1984 Hurt Wonder Woman 3's Chances?
A further consideration for Gunn and Safran was the comparatively poor performance of Wonder Woman 1984. While the first film in the series was a critical and commercial hit for DC at a time when many of its other flagship releases were struggling, Wonder Woman 1984 represented something of a regressive step. The original made over $800 million at the global box office, while securing 93% positive reviews (via Rotten Tomatoes). By contrast, Wonder Woman 1984 was a financial disaster for DC, making just $169 million against a $200 million budget (though much of this may have been down to the COVID-19 pandemic) and receiving just 58% positive reviews (Rotten Tomatoes).
Diminishing critical and commercial returns may have made it easier for Gunn and Safran to suggest a new direction. Had Wonder Woman 1984 been similarly successful at the box office, it's unlikely that the studio would have been willing to change course so readily. As it stands, Wonder Woman 1984's failure suggests that it may actually be a perfect time to breathe new life into the character. Although Gunn and Safran have both been diplomatic when it comes to criticizing what's come before, it's clear that their combined approach offers a very different future for certain DC characters. While they would have undoubtedly applied pressure to get their way, the disappointing returns for Wonder Woman 1984 certainly strengthened their argument.
Wonder Woman's DCU Future Isn't Necessarily Over
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Although Patty Jenkins' original Wonder Woman 3 plans are now on ice, this is not to say that the character has no place in the new-look DCU. If the 2017 Wonder Woman proved anything, it's that there is a serious appetite for Diana-centric adventures – provided they are well-executed. Given this proven track record and Wonder Woman's status as a member of the venerated DC Trinity (alongside Batman and Superman), it's inevitable that the character will continue to have a cinematic DC future in some shape or form.
A further consideration for fans of Patty Jenkins' interpretation of the character is that DC has shown a willingness to continue popular elements of the old DCEU into this new era. A prime example is the return of Henry Cavill who, despite leaving a long absence that would have provided the perfect opportunity for a recast, returned to the franchise in Black Adam. Although this decision was made before Gunn and Safran's arrival, it nonetheless suggests that legacy figures like Gal Gadot's Diana could still feature in future DCU films, even if her original role is altered.
From a creative standpoint, the fact than Jenkins will not be able to complete her vision for Diana is somewhat frustrating. However, given the dire straights in which the DCU found itself prior to Gunn and Safran's arrival, it's clear that a radical rethink was necessary. In order for the new DC heads to effectively implement their vision, it was necessary to employ a certain amount of ruthlessness. In the case of Wonder Woman 3, the unfortunate consequence was probably inevitable. It remains to be seen whether the new direction will pay dividends.
