The question of who will be the next Wonder Woman after Gal Gadot has been a hot topic since James Gunn took the reins at DC Studios. With Gadot's tenure as the iconic Amazonian princess seemingly over, the search for a successor is underway, and Gunn himself has addressed the speculation.
Gunn has confirmed that a new "Wonder Woman" film is in development, but Gal Gadot will not be reprising the role. This decision came after the original plans for "Wonder Woman 3" were scrapped in December 2022 when Warner Bros. overhauled DC Comics and brought Gunn and Peter Safran on board as co-CEOs of DC Studios. While a "Wonder Woman" movie remains a priority, Gunn is not rushing the script or the casting process. He is focused on finding the best person for the job, regardless of their past experience in TV or film. "It's all about the casting," Gunn stated, emphasizing that he cast Milly Alcock as Supergirl because she was the best fit for the role, not because of her TV experience.
Several actresses have been rumored and fan-casted for the role. Adria Arjona, known for her role in "Andor," has garnered significant fan support, and Gunn himself acknowledged that she would be "great" for the part. He admitted to following Arjona on Instagram, which fueled speculation, but clarified that it didn't necessarily mean she was cast. May Calamawy, who played Layla El-Faouly/Scarlet Scarab in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series "Moon Knight," has also expressed interest in playing Wonder Woman. Grace Caroline Currey, who appeared in the "Shazam!" franchise, is another popular fan pick and has stated she would be up for the challenge.
Beyond potential casting choices, there's also the possibility of introducing other Wonder Woman characters from the comics. James Gunn has acknowledged being "very aware of Nubia," Diana Prince's sister, teasing potential plans for her to appear in the DCU. In the comics, Nubia has taken over the Wonder Woman mantle when Diana was presumed dead, a storyline that Gunn could explore in the future. Some reports suggest that the upcoming "Paradise Lost" series could feature Nubia as the lead, potentially establishing her as the first Wonder Woman in the new DCU before Diana even debuts in a solo movie.
Ultimately, James Gunn's vision for the DCU is focused on prioritizing quality and finding the right actors to embody these iconic characters. The casting of Wonder Woman will not happen until the script is complete and meets Gunn's standards. The selection process will prioritize the best fit for the role, irrespective of the actor's previous work.