In a major shake-up for the DC Universe, James Gunn and Peter Safran have officially confirmed that a reboot of Wonder Woman is in active development — and this time, it’s moving forward without Gal Gadot. The iconic role of Diana Prince will be recast, signaling the definitive end of Gadot’s era as the Amazonian warrior.
The update came straight from Gunn himself in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, where he casually confirmed, “We’re working on Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman’s being written right now.” While the details are sparse, one thing is now clear: the reboot will not include Gadot, a fact that was later reinforced by a report from The Hollywood Reporter, stating that since this is a full reboot, Gadot “will not play the character moving forward.”
The End of an Era
Gadot first donned the lasso of truth in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), before taking the spotlight in Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman (2017), a film that earned both critical acclaim and box office success. The sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, was less fortunate — lambasted by critics and underwhelming financially, its performance marked a turning point in the franchise's future.
With the launch of the new DC Universe under Gunn and Safran, sweeping changes have become the norm. Gadot’s departure now joins a long list of cuts that include Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman, as the studio moves to distance itself from Zack Snyder’s darker, grittier DC vision. In their place is a promise of a brighter, more cohesive universe — one that doesn’t include the familiar faces of the past.
Jenkins Speaks Out
Patty Jenkins, who helmed both of Gadot’s solo outings, had previously hinted at behind-the-scenes struggles with the studio. In a 2022 statement, she remarked, “It was my understanding there was nothing I could do to move anything forward at this time. DC is obviously buried in changes they are having to make, so I understand these decisions are difficult right now.”
Though no official creative team has been announced for the reboot, Jenkins is not expected to return, further closing the door on the original iteration of Wonder Woman that helped reshape the landscape for female-led superhero films.
A New Face for a New Era
The question now turns to casting. With the role of Wonder Woman now up for grabs, speculation is rampant about who could take on the mantle. The bar has been set high — not just in terms of physicality and screen presence, but also in balancing Diana’s mythical gravitas with emotional complexity.
The new Wonder Woman will be part of a broader reboot strategy led by Gunn and Safran. The upcoming Superman film, starring David Corenswet, is slated for July 11, 2025, while Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, featuring House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock, is scheduled for June 2026. With this timeline in place, it’s likely that casting news for Diana Prince is imminent.
Why Gal Gadot Was Let Go
Gadot’s removal isn’t entirely surprising. Besides the studio’s overall pivot, her acting has been a topic of debate among critics. While her performance in the first Wonder Woman was praised for its sincerity and physicality, later appearances were viewed as stiff and one-dimensional. Combined with the disastrous reception of Wonder Woman 1984, the appetite for a complete reinvention was strong.
James Gunn’s leadership has emphasized storytelling, performance depth, and a creative reset — and for that vision to flourish, it seems even the most beloved stars are being shown the exit.
What This Means for the DC Universe
The decision to move on from Gadot and Jenkins underscores a broader philosophy guiding the new DCU: no more half-measures. Instead of clinging to remnants of the past, Gunn and Safran are fully committing to a reimagined universe built from the ground up.
The studio appears to be prioritizing long-term world-building over nostalgia, and while that might be a tough pill to swallow for fans of the original cast, it may be the bold move DC needs after years of inconsistency.
What remains to be seen is whether audiences will embrace a new Wonder Woman — or if losing Gadot will alienate a core part of the fanbase.
One thing is certain: this is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. And the next woman to wield the Lasso of Truth will step into some truly legendary boots.
