With James Gunn and Peter Safran as the new heads of the DC Universe, it’s safe to say that big changes will be coming to the franchise. Furthermore, some changes are already being seen and felt, as Black Adam may be the first step in what could be a huge transition phase. That said, for all of the seemingly positive news coming from this power shift, there are also some tough pills to swallow. Unfortunately, one of the most recent pills came with the news that Wonder Woman 3 was no longer in development.
The cancellation of the next Wonder Woman film may be one of the biggest surprises coming from the DCU since the abrupt scrapping of the Batgirl film earlier in 2022. But where that film had not been released, a legacy had already been established with Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, meaning that the potential for what’s being lost greatly outweighs what could come. So now, there’s a sense of limbo regarding the actor and the possibility of her return to the character. While it’s not completely ruled out, there’s a chance that Gadot could return as a new iteration of the Amazonian that could see her as one-half of one of the strongest power couples in comics alongside Superman.
Wonder Woman & Superman Have a Romantic History in DC Comics
The history of Superman and Wonder Woman had rarely seen them as an item, though they went on some dates before. Instead, they were often portrayed as close friends with mutual respect and understanding that they were more similar than different. A large part of this was because comic canon dictated that Superman and Lois Lane would consistently be a couple, the same as Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor. This was mainly because the trope of a mortal and an outsider finding a mutual love shows that their connection was more than infatuation and instead was genuine. That said, Clark Kent and Diana Prince did have a romance in at least one reality.
The New 52 era of DC Comics was a huge change at the time of its debut. Not only did it erase the previous continuity that had become a staple for many readers, but it also established an entirely new canon that changed some characters’ core values or tropes. A great example of this was the relationship between Clark and Diana. As expected, the two began their romance under the understanding that they were kindred spirits. They were outsiders that couldn’t be wholly understood, and rather than let their shared power corrupt them, it served as a foundation for a deeper love. In fact, when Clark briefly lost his powers, Diana was still there by his side, supporting him. While unorthodox, this pair could work perfectly in live-action as well.
Wonder Woman Can Finally Leave Steve Trevor Behind
The live-action DC Universe has had a unique retelling of both heroes’ relationships. In Superman’s case, his love for Lois burned hot early on, and the two formed a powerful relationship that lived on even after his apparent death. However, Wonder Woman was forced to watch Steve Trevor die and could not let go of his memory for decades. In fact, her grief allowed her to wish for him to return in another body, which ultimately forced her to sacrifice him again for the greater good. Essentially, her relationship with Steve Trevor, while genuine, was filled with pain, and she’s never been able to truly move on. But that may finally change with a new direction.
Wonder Woman’s emotional connection to Steve strengthened her and hindered her growth as an individual. She did things in his memory but rarely lived for herself. Now, with a chance at a fresh start and no confirmation that Lois Lane will return, now could be the time for two powerhouses of the DC Universe to unite. Should Superman and Wonder Woman get together, their coupling could raise their adventures to new heights and show, once and for all, that a relationship between two heroes could be just as powerful as one between a hero and a civilian.
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