With the poor reception ofThe Flash(2023) and its opaque, if not flat-out contradictory treatment of the alternate reality network of the DCU and the DCEU, fans ponder what lies in store forWonder Woman 3. Is it folly? Is it merely foolhardy? As the icon of the power of femininity, willWonder Woman 3rise to the occasion, or should it simply not be produced at all?
After Wonder Woman’s appearance inShazam: Fury of the Gods(2023), wherein she resurrects the titular character with her trademark charismatic smile, enthusiasts wondered what was next for Gal Gadot. And where was Wonder Woman specifically in the DCU canon during this sequence of the most recentShazamfranchise?
IsWonder Woman 3a mistake that could forbode an end to theJustice Leaguecanon as fans know it? We’re going to spell out what’s known about the upcoming film concepts, point out downfalls, and offer suggestions that could makeWonder Woman 3the pinnacleof the series.
Related:Wonder Woman 3 Now Being Developed for the DCU With Gal Gadot & James Gunn
Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad?
Gal Gadot’s initial appearance as a mysterious, powerful rogue inBatman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice(2016) titillated long-timeWonder Womanfranchise fanatics while simultaneously guaranteeing an entirely new generation. Although the lukewarm follow-upJustice League(2017) garnered only mediocre fanfare, Gal nonetheless proceeded to her beloved standalone title inWonder Woman(2017) and finally on to the poorly receivedWonder Woman: 1984(2020).
A semi-known fact about Wonder Woman is that the creator also invented the lie detector. Given that fact, doesn’t it seem in the spirit of poetic justice thatWonder Woman 3portrays the truth of the character?Wonder Woman was meant to inspireunderserved and helpless-feeling women and girls across a male-dominant nation to rise, find their inner strength, and have courage against all odds.
Gal Gadot nobly embodies the ideals of Wonder Woman, although certain entries in theJustice League (and indeed her franchises) have relegated her occasionally to a supporting character rather than the star of the show.
The Wonder Of Film Negotiation
Gal Gadot has recently stated, “I love portraying Wonder Woman. It’s so close to and dear to my heart. From what I heard from James and from Peter is that we’re gonna develop aWonder Woman 3together.”. The problem is that Ezra Miller is probably not returning to the DCEU, given the dismal performance ofThe Flash, and he’s not alone!
With Henry Cavill infamously asked not to come back as Superman and with other major roles being recast, how could Gal Gadot rebooted as Diana Prince possibly work? Simply stated: it couldn’t. Patty Jenkins was reportedly attached to directWonder Woman 3, but she walked away after glancing at script concepts that contradicted films as little as two years old.
James Gunn, now attached, has made no public comments regarding film production, but publicists have very recently once more pointed to Patty Jenkins as coming back aboard. Did Gunn fix the script?Did Gal Gadot contribute after all?
Related:Gal Gadot Felt Liberated After Wonder Woman 3’s Cancellation
Much likeSuicide Squad(2016) versusThe Suicide Squad(2021), the latter being what the entertainment industry terms a ‘soft reboot,’ Wonder Woman could appear in a prequel focusing on Themyscira. How this would work logistically is difficult unless Gal Gadot appeared to tell the story in the past tense.
However, this would work intriguingly with the upcoming James Gunn reboot of theSupermanfilms withSuperman: Legacy(2025), intended to illustrate a more immature Clark Kent, to be played by newcomer David Corenswet (who is replacing Cavill).
Wonder Woman 3has also been rumored to potentially co-star Jason Momoa in his returning role asAquaman, and the film would be an old-fashioned superhero team-up. Where would this fit into DCU or even DC’s Extended Universe (the DCEU)? That’s unknown – however, it could take place in-between other known films in theJustice Leaguefranchise. Or, as Aquaman is Atlantean and extremely long-lived like Wonder Woman, the potential movie might work as a prequel to said franchise.
Although fans have spazzed out aboutWonder Woman 3, the character was young in World War II and was also young in 1984. She doesn’t age like normal mortals and could feasibly have been adult in appearance while both Clark Kent inSuperman: Legacyas well as Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne inThe Batman(2022) were simultaneously young.
This would be a practical and conceivable way to save Wonder Woman’s continuity in the emerging DCU. So, although it seems on the surface thatWonder Woman 3would push the DCU in the wrong direction – if they get it right – they couldsave all of the franchisesin one fell swoop!
