Reports Announce Patty Jenkins’ ‘Wonder Woman 3’ Not Moving Forward And Other DC Changes

According to The Hollywood Reporter ‘Wonder Woman 3’ is not moving forward with other big changes coming soon to the DC Cinematic Universe. With the new DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran in the final stages of prepping their multiyear plan ahead of next week's pivotal presentation to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, fans are scrambling for information.

There may be an impending DC Rebirth of the cinematic universe whether fans like it or not.

With rumors and speculation circulating like wildfire about the direction the Warner Bros.’ DC movies are headed the biggest question fans are asking is this going to be a complete reboot of the entire franchise? Will the studios completely scrap the Snyderverse, start new and completely restart - meaning recasting, or will they keep the same actors?

The debate about keeping the same cast creates confusion in an already messy transition period succumbed with mixed reviews, scandals, drama and speculation. The new heads of DC Studios James Gunn and Peter Safran were hired to lead a newly launched film and TV division. The two are expected to meet next week with David Zaslav as they prepare to launch DC Studios and guide the superhero movies into a new direction for years to come.

David Zaslav, the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO who has already started making radical changes to reshape the media company will meet with the pair who will lay out their new vision. Although not much information about the overall plan has been released yet, multiple sources told The Hollywood Reporter “that Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3 is not moving forward and is considered dead in its current incarnation.”

Jenkins who directed and co-wrote the previous two WW movies, starring Gal Gadot released in 2017 and 2020, recently submitted her treatment for the third film co-written with Geoff Johns. The report states that Gunn and Safran, as well as WB. Pictures co-chairs and co-CEOs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, broke the news to the filmmaker, “telling her the project — as it stood — did not fit in with the new (but still unfolding) plans. No decision has been made about next steps.”

It also states that insiders say the studio could end up saving tens of millions of dollars by not making the third installment. “Gadot, according to sources, was on track for a $20 million payday for Wonder Woman 3 while Jenkins would have received $12 million. Those figures don’t include any possible backend bonuses.”

While it is unknown if this means that Gal Gadot may no longer portray the symbolic superhero Wonder Woman at all, Patty Jenkins project appears to be completely dead. This leads to speculation about the future of Wonder Woman movies and who will pick up the mantle. Gadot’s timely tweet thanking fans and saying shes grateful for the opportunity to play such an incredible, iconic character and more than anything I’m grateful for YOU. The fans” leads fans to wonder if she was aware the project was being axed when she added “Can’t wait to share her next chapter with you.”

This leads to the biggest question does the canceling of Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3, mean the official ending of the Snyderverse entirely, and the beloved heroes cast by filmmaker Zack Snyder for his Justice League. Does this mean the end of Henry Cavill returning for Man of Steel 2, and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman? What’s even more perplexing is the return of these characters in Flash, the highly anticipated speedster and time travel adventure movie that is supposed to somehow tie things up for the complex universe. Cavill already shot his cameo in September, and got audiences hopes up with his appearance in the Black Adam end credit confusing things even more. After the movie opened Cavill confirmed he is back as Superman giving audiences hope for a decade’s long awaited sequel.

Cavill posted a video on Instagram where he announced, “I wanted to make it official — I am back as Superman.” Agonizingly for Man of Steel fans, that was before Gunn and Safran began formulating their new continuous plan.

Another concern is the Dwayne Johnson led Black Adam movie has only grossed $385 million worldwide (insiders at the studio say the movie, which cost more than $190 million to produce (two sources peg the actual cost at $230 million, not including marketing) will be lucky to break even. So a sequel is unlikely.

Meanwhile, Jason Momoa may be finished playing the underwater hero Aquaman after the release of the upcoming second film, but his involvement with DC may not be over. Sources are saying the actor could lead another movie emerging as a brand new figure, Lobo. Ironically for years Momoa was fancast as the foul-mouthed intergalactic bounty hunter, famously chomping on a cigar. The anti-hero would also work in line with Gunn’s focus on smaller characters and bringing them to wider mainstream audiences.

We are still getting Shazam! Fury of the Gods (March 17, 2023), which Safran is a producer, and Blue Beetle (Aug. 18, 2023). As the studios go about resetting DC movies entirely would they recast them even if those movies end up box office hits? Without a doubt a new direction is needed for DC Studios. Will they completely start from the ground up, a full reboot without any barriers or burdens from any previous regimes?

James Gunn gave a brief statement in a set of Tweets addressing the speculation earlier today.

As for more answers about the future of the DCU, I will sadly have to ask you to wait. We are giving these characters & the stories the time & attention they deserve & we ourselves still have a lot more questions to ask & answer.