Why The DCU Is Recasting Wonder Woman & Gal Gadot Won't Be Returning
1 week ago
21
Credit: MovieStillsDB
Published Sep 2, 2026, 5:50 PM EDT
Cooper Hood is the Associate Editor for all new movie releases, in theaters and on streaming. In addition to writing articles about these titles and upcoming releases, he also oversees content planning for each, ensuring that ScreenRant continues to cover major releases for months after their release.
He has written various reviews for ScreenRant that appear on Rotten Tomatoes, coordinated Oscars and San Diego Comic-Con coverage, appeared on CNN to talk about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and done select interviews with talent over the years.
Gal Gadot's time as Wonder Woman is officially over, with James Gunn's DC Universe electing to recast the Amazonian hero. While Batman and Superman got multiple cracks at the big screen over the years, Hollywood failed to bring DC's biggest female superhero to theaters until 2016, when Gadot debuted as Wonder Woman in Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Throughout her early appearances in the DC Extended Universe, especially with Wonder Woman, Gadot's portrayal of Diana Prince became one piece of the franchise that had nearly universal approval from audiences. Her popularity directly led to Warner Bros. and DC Films finding ways to include her in as many projects as possible, including cameos in The Flash and Shazam: Fury of the Gods.
That is why Gadot's Wonder Woman was viewed as one potential aspect of the DCEU that could carry forward into the rebooted DCU. Instead of taking that approach, though, Gadot has confirmed her Wonder Woman run is over. DC Studios will cast a new actress to portray Wonder Woman in the DCU. There's even speculation that the Wonder Woman actress has already been found.
The decision to recast Wonder Woman instead of having Gadot return makes sense for the franchise's future, even if that wasn't always the obvious plan. DC Studios co-CEOs Peter Safran and James Gunn have changed the expected direction of the character over time.
Gal Gadot Held Talks About Returning As Wonder Woman For The DCU
After Gunn and Safran took over DC Studios in November 2022, it was expected that they'd mostly wipe the slate clean and relaunch DC's movie presence by keeping some select pieces of the old universe around. This led to conflicting reports about Wonder Woman 3's status. The movie was initially said to be canceled, but reports the following day claimed DC Studios wanted to make Wonder Woman 3 and keep Gadot as the star.
Questions about Gadot's future were raised again after the DCU Chapter 1 slate lacked clarity on Wonder Woman plans. A few days later, Gunn commented on social media that "We didn't let Gal go," leaving fans to believe that the actress would be back. That eventuality looked all the more likely when Gadot stated months later that she had a meeting with Gunn and Safran where they told her Wonder Woman 3 was happening.
The Wonder Woman franchise star doubled down on her belief that she'd play the DC hero again shortly thereafter, saying that Gunn and Safran told her, "You’re in the best hands. We’re going to develop Wonder Woman 3 with you. [We] love you as Wonder Woman— you’ve got nothing to worry about."
Whether that is exactly what they said or embellished to some degree, it is irrefutable that Gadot had conversations about continuing as the DCU's Wonder Woman. But at some point, as Gunn and Safran figured out exactly what they wanted the DCU's first 10 years to look like, they determined that it was better to go in a different direction.
Why The DCU Is Moving On From Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman
via MovieStillsDB
That decision was primarily driven by the baggage associated with Gadot's Wonder Woman. She is a core piece of Snyder's DCEU, which became increasingly divisive as it went on. For the DCU to succeed, it was necessary for this new universe to separate itself from what came before in as many ways as possible.
This includes recasting all the major roles. There is a limited number of DCEU actors who have stuck around for the new franchise, such as John Cena's Peacemaker and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller. The DCU has already recast Superman, with David Corenswet replacing Henry Cavill. Batman will be recast in the near future, too, rather than George Clooney or Ben Affleck (or Robert Pattinson) coming back. Jason Momoa even found a new DC role in Lobo rather than hope he'd play Aquaman again.
Recasting Wonder Woman continues that approach. There would always be a section of audiences who would see her as a connecting point to the Snyderverse and a chance that it could be restored to some degree. It was better for the DCU to squash that from the beginning and decide to find new actors for practically every role.
It probably didn't help Gadot's case that she was no longer irreplaceable as the DCU's vision formed. Wonder Woman 1984 was a disappointing outing for the character. The actress has also become more controversial in recent years with views DC Studios may have wanted to distance itself from. Moving on from Gadot gives Wonder Woman a blank slate in the DCU with endless possibilities.
Who Will Play Wonder Woman In The DCU, And When Will She Debut?
As of this writing, DC Studios has yet to officially confirm who will be Wonder Woman in the DCU. Plenty of actresses are constantly linked to the role through fancasts, such as Alexandra Daddario, Ana de Armas, Melissa Barrera, May Calamawy, Anya Chalotra, and Sarah Pidgeon, but none have been formally connected to the role.
Gunn has not specified that DC is looking to cast Wonder Woman, but speculation has continued that the actress may have already been found in secret. Theories point to Adria Arjona playing Wonder Woman in the DCU after landing a secret role in Man of Tomorrow that she and Gunn have steered clear of really commenting on. Some reports say she's Maxima, not Diana Prince, though.
If the Arjona speculation is accurate, Wonder Woman will join the DCU next year. Man of Tomorrow is slated to hit theaters in July 2027. She'd make her debut in the DCU's fourth movie after previously being teased in Creature Commandos season 1. For what it's worth, Gunn has denied that Wonder Woman and Batman will be in Man of Tomorrow, so these theories might be off base.
In that case, Wonder Woman's DCU debut may have to wait for the solo movie DC Studios started developing in 2025. The untitled Wonder Woman feature will obviously include the Amazonian warrior. It does not yet have a director, production timeline, or release date, though, leaving some uncertainty about whether this would be a 2028 or 2029 film.
This gives us roughly a three-year window for when to expect Wonder Woman to join the DCU. She could come as soon as 2027 if Arjona has landed the coveted role, but fans might need to wait a bit longer if the actress is indeed just Maxima.
Character(s)
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam
Movie(s)
Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold
Credit: MovieStillsDB
via MovieStillsDB
English (US) ·