‘Wonder Woman,’ ‘Black Adam’ Sequels Not Moving Forward at DC

Looks like the hierarchy of the DC Universe did in fact change as sequels to Wonder Woman and Black Adam are not moving forward at DC Studios.

According to a bombshell report in the Hollywood Reporter, “Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 3 is not moving forward and is considered dead in its current incarnation.”

Jenkins submitted a treatment for the third film in the franchise, and she was told by WBD brass including DC Studios James Gunn and Peter Safran that the project ” did not fit in with the new (but still unfolding) plans.”

In rather odd timing, Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot tweeted “A few years ago it was announced that I was going to play Wonder Woman.I’ve been so grateful for the opportunity to play such an incredible, iconic character and more than anything I’m grateful for YOU.The fans.Can’t wait to share her next chapter with you.”

What that actual plan for the DCU is nobody knows except Gunn and Safran, and part of the plan will be revealed next week to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. The plan is said to be a work in progress and the Hollywood trades are reporting that the new DCU will be the end of Snyderverse era. Gunn himself shared on social media recently that his DCU will start when Aquaman 2 is released.

“Peter and I will help to guide the already filmed projects for the next year, but the new slate won’t start until after Aquaman 2,” said on Instagram.

Gunn added: “We’re excited to be shepherding the great films made before we arrived and working hard to create an extraordinary, wondrous and unique DCU beyond that.”

Also in the report from Hollywood Reporter, a sequel to Black Adam is unlikely considering the Dwayne Johnson movie is financial flop, regardless of the cheesy spin posted earlier in the day on Deadline that claims the movie will be profitable. According to THR, the budget on Black Adam was not $195 million, but $230 million.

It wasn’t a good look, and also kind of weird that Johnson never publicly welcomed Safran nor Gunn on social media when they became the new heads of DC Studios. On the day before Thanksgiving, Johnson put out a video slamming Warners for not bringing back Henry Cavill as Superman.

According to THR, “Johnson hoped to carve out his own piece of the DC pie, but multiple sources say his playing up of a returning Cavill and his own involvement with DC may not be endearing him to the new management.”

Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are currently in various stages of post-production at Warner Bros. Discovery, with all four DC Universe movies slated to hit theaters in 2023. Will the characters from those movies make appearances in the new DCU? Only Gunn and Safran know.

Previously reported, Black Adam featured Henry Cavill’s long-awaited return to the role of Superman, but the actor’s future as the DC Comics icon is still a mystery.  There is “no forward momentum” on a Superman movie as Gunn and Safran continue working on their roadmap for the DC Universe. Cavill has yet to sign a formal deal for more DC Universe appearances. Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t hired a writer or a director for another live-action Superman project, at least for the time being, so it’s still far off, if it even ends up happening.

Cavill shot a cameo scene for The Flash back in September for the movie’s ending, but it is unlikely it is going to remain in the film, as the ending is being reworked.

According to reports, Gunn is expected to focus on the creative direction of the DC Universe while Safran will handle business and production. They will report directly to Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav and collaborate with Warner Bros. Film Group co-heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy.