Despite the box office stumbles that Supergirl faced earlier this summer, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios Chapter One (“Gods and Monsters”) is recapturing massive narrative momentum. Powered by the critical and ratings acclaim of HBO’s Lanterns and the strong 77% Rotten Tomatoes debut for James Watkins’ R-rated Clayface, the DCU’s world-building machine is operating at full capacity.
Now, the rumor mill has officially exploded. Following a cryptic social media post from James Gunn referencing Diana Prince’s legendary comic origins—paired with social pushes across DC’s official accounts teasing 2027 as “The Year of Wonder Woman”—fans are connecting the dots.
All signs point toward a major debut for the Amazonian warrior in 2027’s Man of Tomorrow, paving the way for a solo, standalone feature in 2028.
Wonder Woman can take on gods, monsters, and just about anything the universe throws at her. But one of her greatest strengths has always been her ability to see the humanity in people who have forgotten how to see it in themselves. Happy 85th anniversary, Diana. She made her… pic.twitter.com/KMlcqRwBxm
For months, industry casting reports have placed Adria Arjona (Andor, Hit Man) inside the cast of Man of Tomorrow. While trade announcements listed her under the role of Maxima—the alien queen who pursues Superman—a growing contingent of fan theorists believe that casting is a deliberate studio misdirection.
If Arjona is secretly playing Diana Prince instead, her introduction alongside David Corenswet’s Kal-El and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in the July 9, 2027 blockbuster would officially assemble the DCU’s iconic Trinity on screen.
Gunn previously confirmed that Ana Nogueira (who penned the screenplay for Supergirl) is writing the standalone Wonder Woman feature. Introducing the character first as a established force inside an ensemble vehicle mirrors how the DCU introduced John Stewart in Lanterns before his theatrical crossover.
Pacing a standalone Wonder Woman feature for early 2028 fits seamlessly into DC Studios’ disciplined slate strategy.
With Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II occupying the Elseworlds window and Man of Tomorrow serving as the main DCU tentpole for summer 2027, placing Diana’s solo journey in 2028 gives the studio dedicated breathing room to explore the mythology of Themyscira and Paradise Island without overwhelming general audiences.
More DCU Developments: ‘Poison Ivy’ HBO Series & ‘Clayface’ Success
The Wonder Woman momentum arrives alongside major trade reports from Deadline. HBO is officially developing a standalone Poison Ivy drama series, with The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc in talks to write and executive produce.
Importantly, the series is set within James Gunn’s mainline DCU rather than Matt Reeves’ grounded Gotham sandbox, proving that DC Studios is actively expanding Batman’s rogue’s gallery ahead of Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Meanwhile, Clayface opened on Rotten Tomatoes to a solid 77% critic score. For a mid-budget, hard-R body-horror film centered on a tragic villain, that score confirms that audiences and critics alike are embracing DC’s genre-first approach over formulaic studio mandates.
DC's ‘CLAYFACE’ debuts with 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
How DC Studios is using mid-budget character pieces to build out its interconnected world.
The Verdict
The DCU roadmap is sharpening its focus. By using Man of Tomorrow as a narrative bridge before launching a standalone Wonder Woman project in 2028, James Gunn and Peter Safran are building genuine excitement for their core Trinity. Whether Adria Arjona is playing Maxima or secretly stepping into the armor of Diana Prince, 2027 is shaping up to be a historic turning point for Amazonian lore.
Do you think Adria Arjona is secretly playing Wonder Woman in Man of Tomorrow, or is she strictly playing Maxima? Who is your top pick to lead the 2028 Wonder Woman film? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by Paco Chanona
Paco Chanona is a filmmaker, screenwriter, and founder of Flicks n Pop. A Vancouver Film School alumnus with over 14 years in media production across Canada and Mexico, he covers film analysis, studio box office trends, and industry news.
