The revamped DCU was supposed to wipe the slate clean and recast new actors for several key DC characters. Yet, contrary to expectations, whispers of Gal Gadot returning as Wonder Woman have been swirling for months since the third film’s indefinite postponement – and now it’s a rumor no longer.
A recent development has now solidified Gal Gadot’s place in the future of the new DCU. During a recent interview with ComicBook.com, in which she was discussing her upcoming Netflix film, Heart of Stone, Gadot confirmed her return as Wonder Woman, saying:
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 a Wonder Woman 3 together.
Gal Gadot’s fate as the Princess of Themyscira has been up in the air ever since Henry Cavill bid farewell to his role as the Man of Steel. Fans have been grilling James Gunn for an answer on whether Gadot is still a part of their future projects. While Gunn mentioned having a meeting with her earlier this year, he cleverly avoided giving an explicit confirmation of her return to the new DCU.
The recent revelation about Wonder Woman 3 should not come as a surprise. When Gunn and Peter Safran unveiled the slate of upcoming DCU projects, they also included a Wonder Woman spin-off series in the lineup. Titled Paradise Lost, the prequel series would revolve around the Amazons, set in a time before the birth of Princess Diana, with a tone inspired by the Game of Thrones series.
With this in mind, it appears that Gunn and Safran have big plans for Wonder Woman, and the previous report of Patty Jenkins’ sequel being shelved was more of a strategic maneuver than an outright cancellation. However, this still doesn’t explain how they both plan to implement a “clean slate” when certain elements from the chaotic DCEU keep seeping into the new DCU.
The underwhelming performance of Ezra Miller’s The Flash at the box office has undoubtedly left Gunn and Safran apprehensive about working with the actor on future projects. Despite that, Aquaman 3 is supposedly still in the works, even though Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was billed as the final film from the DCEU era.
With all these ties connecting this alleged new era to the previous one, from where we stand the new DCU is beginning to resemble the messy DCEU that Gunn and Safran inherited and are striving to distance themselves from.
Fortunately, the casting changes for Superman and Lois Lane have been met with a surprisingly positive response, especially when we take into account the intense backlash James Gunn faced from fans after Henry Cavill’s departure. Gal Gadot has also shared her thoughts on David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan taking on these iconic roles, stating:
I saw that they were testing, doing different screen tests, but I don’t know who got it, but it seemed like everyone was super legit and talented and, like, great. So I’m happy for them. It’s such a huge take-on and it’s such an exciting beginning to any actor, and I wish whoever it’s going to be the best of luck and enjoy the ride.
Who knows? Maybe Gal Gadot will end up crossing paths with Corenswet’s Superman in a potential Justice League film. As of writing, Gunn has yet to address Gadot’s comments, and there’s no information on whether Patty Jenkins will be back to direct the third Wonder Woman installment.
