The internet has a funny way of holding onto the past, especially when it involves a golden lasso and a certain Israeli actress who basically redefined the role for a generation. Honestly, though, if you've been following the breadcrumbs James Gunn has been dropping since he took the keys to DC Studios, the writing has been on the wall for a while. Gal Gadot is out. A new Diana is coming. And surprisingly, James Gunn’s Wonder Woman plans are looking a lot more ambitious than just a "Wonder Woman 3" retread.
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. One minute we’re hearing about a prequel series that feels like Game of Thrones, the next there are whispers of a casting call for a "tall warrior" in her twenties. Basically, the DC Trinity—Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman—is getting a total structural overhaul.
The Man of Tomorrow and the First Glimpse
Forget the solo movie for a second. The biggest news hitting the trades right now is that we’re likely seeing the new Diana Prince much sooner than expected. Rumors are swirling that James Gunn is currently casting Wonder Woman to appear in the Superman sequel, titled Man of Tomorrow, which is slated for July 9, 2027.
If this sounds familiar, it's because it's exactly what Zack Snyder did in 2016.
But Gunn’s approach feels different. He’s not just throwing her in for a cameo. The casting descriptions leaked by insiders like Jeff Sneider and various reports from early 2026 suggest he's looking for a specific type: an actress in her 20s with real "fighting skills" and a "strong physique." They want a warrior. Someone who feels like she stepped out of a myth, not just a fashion magazine.
Paradise Lost: The Themyscira Prequel
Before we even get to the big screen, we have Paradise Lost. This is the Max series Gunn and Peter Safran announced back in early 2023, and it’s arguably the most "Gunn-like" project in the slate. It’s a prequel. It’s set on Themyscira before Diana was even born.
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Gunn has described it as a political drama, comparing it to Game of Thrones. Think backstabbing, power struggles, and the dark origins of an all-female society.
- The Vibe: High-stakes political intrigue.
- The Creative Team: Writers like Kira Snyder (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Janet Lin (Bridgerton) have been linked to the project.
- The Connection: While it’s a prequel, it sets the stage for how the world views Amazons in the modern DCU.
In Creature Commandos, which kicked off the DCU in late 2024, we already saw Circe, a classic Wonder Woman villain. The show established that the world thinks Themyscira is just a myth. This is world-building at its best. It makes Diana’s eventual reveal to the world in the movies feel like a genuine "holy crap" moment for the public.
What’s the Status of the Solo Movie?
Yes, there is an actual Wonder Woman solo film in development. Gunn confirmed it in mid-2025. It’s being written by Ana Nogueira, the same scribe who handled the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow script.
Gunn has been pretty vocal about his "script-first" policy. He won't greenlight a shoot date until the pages are perfect. He’s said he'd "rather wait a year than go too soon." This is a massive shift from the old DCEU days where release dates were picked before a single word was written.
Right now, 2028 is the target year most fans are eyeing for the solo film. If the script is finished by the end of 2026, production would likely start in 2027. It's a long wait, but for a character as important as Diana, it’s probably the right call.
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The Recast: Why Gal Gadot Isn't Coming Back
There was a lot of confusion for a while. Gal Gadot mentioned in interviews that she’d heard she was staying. Then the silence grew deafening.
The reality is that Gunn is doing a hard reboot. You can't have a 40-year-old Wonder Woman alongside a Superman who looks like he just graduated college. By casting an actress in her 20s, DC Studios is planning for the next decade. They want someone who can grow into the role and stick around for a 10-year arc without the timeline getting messy.
It’s a tough pill for some to swallow. Gadot was iconic. But if you want a cohesive universe, you need a fresh start.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the chaotic world of DC casting, here's how to stay ahead of the curve:
1. Watch the Trades for "Man of Tomorrow" Casting: Since filming for the Superman sequel is expected to begin in April 2026, the Wonder Woman casting announcement is likely coming any week now.
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2. Follow Ana Nogueira's Work: Her writing on Supergirl (releasing June 2026) will be the best indicator of the tone she’ll bring to the Wonder Woman script. If you like the voice she gives Kara, you'll probably like her Diana.
3. Pay Attention to "Paradise Lost" Development: If this show starts production soon, the actresses cast as Hippolyta or Antiope will give us our first real look at the "Amazonian aesthetic" Gunn is going for.
4. Look for Animation Crossovers: Gunn has confirmed that whoever is cast in live-action will also voice the character in animation. If a new Wonder Woman pops up in an animated series like Mister Miracle, that's your live-action actress.
James Gunn’s Wonder Woman isn't just a movie; it’s a multi-platform strategy to make the Amazons feel like a pillar of the DCU again. It’s about more than just one hero; it’s about a whole mythology.