Wonder Woman actor Connie Nielsen is struggling to understand why DC Studios chose not to move forward with a third film starring Gal Gadot as the beloved superhero.
Although Wonder Woman 1984 faced both critical and commercial disappointment, the first Wonder Woman film, released in 2017, was one of the biggest successes in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
The origin story grossed over $800 million worldwide and earned a glowing 93 percent “certified fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the best-reviewed movie in the DCEU.
Thanks to the first film’s success, director Patty Jenkins was given the green light to complete her trilogy, with a third Wonder Woman movie initially announced by Warner Bros. and DC.
However, once James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as co-heads of the newly rebranded DC Studios, the planned sequel to Wonder Woman 1984 was shelved, along with many other projects that were in development as part of the DCEU.
Now, nearly two years after Wonder Woman 3 was scrapped, Nielsen — who played Queen Hippolyta in the DCEU — has expressed her confusion over DC’s decision.
In an interview, she said, “I think it’s crazy. I mean, frankly, I don’t understand it. [Wonder Woman] made $800 million just in the movie theaters, and it has an enormous and passionate, passionate fan base.
These are spectacular films, and there’s just no reason I can understand whatsoever for not investing in that. If I were a business person, I would say that’s money on the table. It’s right there.
Plus every time we’ve done it, [it was] with budgets that were way smaller than any of the other DC budgets.”
Nielsen went on to add, “It’s a pity. I really hope that they change their minds, and that they realize this is crazy.
This is a billion dollars that is lying on the table. Not claiming those fans and making them happy is something I just don’t really understand at all.”
Wonder Woman 3 wasn’t the only DCEU sequel that was cut when Gunn and Safran assumed control.
Prior to their leadership, scripts were reportedly being developed for The Flash 2 and Man of Steel 2, the latter being a long-requested sequel by fans of the DCEU.
But Gunn and Safran felt it was best to start over, opting to reboot much of the franchise as they launch the new DC Universe (DCU).
There are a few exceptions, though, such as Peacemaker and its cast, who will carry over from the DCEU into the DCU with the same actors.
Similarly, Xolo Maridueña is expected to reprise his role as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle in the new DCU, following his debut in one of the last DCEU films.
Of the iconic DC Trinity, Wonder Woman is the only hero without a new project currently in development at DC Studios.
Gunn is in post-production on Superman: Legacy, slated for release in July 2025, while Batman has two films in the works: The Batman Part II from the Elseworlds label and the DCU’s The Brave and the Bold.
Both Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984 are available for streaming on Max.
