Why Wonder Woman's Movie Has Been Paused at DC Studios

2 Minutes

One flop can wobble an entire lineup. Supergirl’s disappointing box office has reportedly put the next Wonder Woman movie on ice — not dead, just shelved for now.

Supergirl cost roughly $186 million to make and has only taken in about $127 million worldwide so far, with losses estimated north of $100 million. Those numbers change how executives think. A costly superhero tentpole now looks riskier. Word is Adriana Arjona, long rumored to be attached, may still be in the picture, but the studio has quietly stepped back from the production schedule that had pointed to a 2027 shoot.

The resemblance between the Supergirl project and the planned Wonder Woman movie seems to be the key issue. When two films share tonal or casting echoes, studios grow cautious. Anna Noguera, who penned the current Wonder Woman script, also wrote Supergirl, and some insiders suggest DC might seek a fresh writer to separate the projects’ voices. Noguera’s background is more theatrical and television-focused; Supergirl was her first big-screen screenplay.

The project hasn’t been canceled — it’s been pulled from the immediate production slate while DC reassesses strategy and risk.

James Gunn and Peter Safran appear intent on moving deliberately. They’re waiting to see how Man of Tomorrow performs in 2027 before committing more money and momentum. That sequel to Superman will act as a barometer for audience appetite and the DCU’s creative direction. Would you bet on a pricey Wonder Woman before that test run?

Arjona’s role remains a mystery. Deadline once reported she was playing Maxima; the Hollywood Reporter and other outlets pushed back, saying her character is unconfirmed. Some evidence, including set sightings from sources tied to Man of Tomorrow, keeps speculation alive that she could emerge as Wonder Woman — but nothing official has been released.

For now DC Studios is focused on other releases: Clayface is slated for an October debut, and Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for June 2027. That leaves little room for launching another major production in the near term. The Wonder Woman idea is very much alive on paper, yet its fate now hinges on the next few DCU moves and how audiences respond at the box office.

Expect patience. And keep an eye on 2027 — that year may tell us whether Wonder Woman returns sooner or waits for a safer moment.