A new Wonder Woman film is officially underway, says James Gunn, but don’t expect Gal Gadot to wield the Lasso of Truth this time.
In a brief but telling update, DC Studios co-head James Gunn has confirmed that a new Wonder Woman movie is “being written right now.” The project is still in early stages, but it’s alive. What’s missing? A star.
Gunn clarified that Gal Gadot, who defined the modern version of the Amazon warrior across four major DC films, is not currently cast in the role. The rebooted Wonder Woman will likely be reimagined, as part of the broader DC Universe overhaul he’s leading with Peter Safran.
Gunn Keeps It Vague, But Wonder Woman Is Still a Priority
The announcement wasn’t flashy. There wasn’t a trailer, teaser, or even a title. But Gunn’s words during an Entertainment Weekly interview were enough to spark waves across fandoms and film blogs.
One sentence. That’s all it took. Fans and insiders immediately started speculating.
Gunn added that the movie is “slow moving,” but reassured that it is moving. That’s more than fans have heard in over a year since Wonder Woman 3 was quietly shelved in late 2022.
The delay is strategic. Gunn has a massive slate to rework. Superman and Batman are already getting reboots. Supergirl, too. So naturally, Wonder Woman was bound to be next in line.
Gal Gadot’s Absence Marks a Pivotal Shift
Gal Gadot made her debut as Diana Prince in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. She later headlined Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). For many fans, she became the definitive face of the character.
However, when James Gunn and Peter Safran took over the studio’s creative direction, plans for a third Gadot-led film were dropped.
• Patty Jenkins’ proposed Wonder Woman 3 was halted in December 2022, reportedly due to creative clashes and DC’s changing vision.
Gunn has repeatedly emphasized a focus on retooling DC’s brand. That means new actors, fresh timelines, and more interconnectivity across TV and film. It also means tough calls like recasting fan-favorites.
Still, the lack of official closure regarding Gadot’s exit continues to puzzle audiences. Gunn hasn’t ruled out her return entirely. But right now, she’s out.
The “Big Four” Heroes Still Anchor the DC Universe
Superman, Batman, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman. These four names are the core of DC’s mythology. And according to Gunn, they still are.
He said, “I wouldn’t say only those four characters, but I would say that those four characters are incredibly important to us.”
Gunn added, “Right now, I feel great about where two of those characters are, and then we’re dealing with the other two.”
Translation? Superman and Supergirl are in place. Batman’s getting there. Wonder Woman is next.
It’s also clear Gunn sees this era as a reset—one where hope and heroism are central themes. “People are looking for heroes right now,” he said earlier this year. That optimism echoes in his new Superman reboot, led by David Corenswet and set for a 2025 release.
So far, casting for Wonder Woman is completely under wraps. There’s no shortlist, no leaks. Not yet.
Gunn’s New DC Blueprint Is Slowly Coming Together
Gunn and Safran’s DC slate—dubbed “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters”—is expected to span films, animated projects, and HBO Max series. It’s a clean slate meant to bring coherence to a universe that’s long felt fragmented.
Here’s a snapshot of the current slate:
Project Title | Status | Lead Actor/Director | Expected Release |
---|---|---|---|
Superman | Filming | David Corenswet / Gunn | July 2025 |
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow | In Development | Not Announced | TBA |
Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Pre-Production | Not Announced | TBA |
Wonder Woman (Untitled) | Script Phase | Lead Not Cast | TBA |
This slow-cook strategy is a direct contrast to Marvel’s once-rapid churn. Gunn appears to be choosing stability over speed.
And let’s be honest—after a decade of false starts, inconsistent tone, and controversial recuts (hello Justice League), maybe slower is smarter.
Fan Reactions Are Mixed, But Hopeful
The response online has been a mix of anticipation and hesitation. Reddit lit up with threads questioning Gadot’s exclusion. X (formerly Twitter) had “Wonder Woman” trending for hours.
One user wrote, “No Gal Gadot? I’m not watching.” Another posted, “Excited to see a new take. Just please don’t mess it up again.”
It’s a risk. Recasting Wonder Woman means stepping into enormous boots. But with the franchise’s momentum stalled since 2020, a revamp may be the best path forward.
There’s also curiosity about tone. Will it lean into mythology, like God of War? Or go modern and political, like The Boys? No one knows.