When Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman hit theaters in 2017, it was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. Critics and fans alike praised Gal Gadot's portrayal of the iconic superhero, and the film's combination of action, heart, and strong feminist themes propelled it to a box office total of $824 million globally—an impressive return on its modest $149 million budget. But with the surprising announcement that “Wonder Woman 3” is no longer happening, many, including actress Connie Nielsen, are left scratching their heads.
Nielsen, who played Queen Hippolyta, voiced her frustration in an interview with Den of Geek, calling the decision “crazy.” She points out that the Wonder Woman franchise has a massive and loyal fanbase and consistently delivered high returns with relatively low budgets. From a business standpoint, shelving a project that could easily break a billion dollars seems like a missed opportunity. As she put it, “That's money on the table.”
The original Wonder Woman not only brought in box-office gold but also earned stellar reviews, setting a high bar even Marvel could envy. Yet, despite these successes, the sequel Wonder Woman 1984—which faced the harsh reality of a pandemic-stricken release—didn't quite match the same heights. Nevertheless, with more time and better circumstances, many fans believe a third entry could have rebounded in a big way.
Although DC Studios' James Gunn and Peter Safran have teased new Wonder Woman-related content with Paradise Lost, an upcoming prequel series set in Themyscira, there's no guarantee we'll see Gal Gadot return as Diana Prince anytime soon.
What do you think? Is DC making a mistake by sidelining Wonder Woman 3, or is it time for a new direction?
