The future of the DC extended universe has always been a cause of concern for fans and lovers of the franchise. Unlike its major competitor, Marvel Studios, DC Studios has simply been unable to create an overarching plan for its various notable IP properties, owing mostly to consistent leadership shake-ups within its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.
A recent announcement by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, which saw the appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as the new creative team responsible for shaping the future of the DCU, gave fans a sense that things might finally be looking up for the universe. However, news coming from the studio seems to be indicating that a purge is currently ongoing.
When Patty Jerkins submitted the first treatment for the threequel, senior management at Warner Bros. Discovery and Gunn and Safran reportedly told her that the character’s current iteration didn’t fit their plans for the future of the DCEU. As a result, Wonder Woman 3 is reportedly no longer in development.
This news comes only days after Gal Gadot, who plays Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in the DC Universe, seemed to tease the character’s future with a heartfelt post on social media. “A few years ago, it was announced that I was going to play Wonder Woman,” Gadot wrote. “I’ve been so grateful for the opportunity to play such an incredible, iconic character, and more than anything, I’m grateful for you, the fans. I can’t wait to share her next chapter with you.”
Gunn and Safran’s plans also seem to be affecting other projects within DC Studios as the sequel to 2013’s Man of Steel, which was in development, has also been canceled, leaving Henry Cavill’s return as Superman currently unlikely, a disappointment for fans who recently expressed excitement over his cameo as Superman in Black Adam, which was set to tease a potential return. What’s more, Cavill’s cameo for the highly anticipated DCU feature The Flash, is set to be removed from the films final cut.
Also, the studio’s current position is that a Dwayne Johnson-led Black Adam sequel is “unlikely” at this stage. But what’s even more surprising is that DC’s billion-dollar Aquaman franchise might not come to an end after 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, as Jason Momoa’s time is being considered to take over as another DC character: Lobo. Though nothing is set in stone yet, James Gunn and Peter Safran are expected to present their multi-year plan for the DCU to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav next week.