Summary

• Aquaman and Wonder Woman were the DCEU’s top solo box office performers, outshining Batman and Superman. Yet, they’re absent from the DCU’s plans so far.
• Aquaman and Wonder Woman’s success could create unfair comparisons for the DCU’s new versions of both heroes if they’re introduced too soon.
• The DCU may be building anticipation around Aquaman and Wonder Woman’s DCU eventual debut. In the meantime, other heroes will have the spotlight, including the Amazons in
  Paradise Lost
  .

The DCEU‘s most commercially successful heroes are notably absent from the first twelve projects in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU slate. Many heroes and villains were introduced throughout the DCEU’s fifteen movies, but only a few proved to be box office gold. Even though ambitious crossover events like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League seemed like the pinnacle of the DCEU’s plans at the beginning of the franchise, other movies ended up stealing the spotlight.

So far, the DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” chapter contains twelve confirmed projects currently in development, including movies such as James Gunn’s upcoming Superman solo movie and The Brave and the Bold, as well as shows such as Creature Commandos and Booster Gold. The DCU will introduce DCEU icons like Superman and Batman early on, and it will also shine the spotlight on previously overlooked characters like the Green Lanterns, not to mention the return of established characters such as Peacemaker and Amanda Waller. However, two famous DC heroes are missing from all the DCU’s plans revealed so far.

Aquaman & Wonder Woman Were The DCEU’s Highest Solo Box Office Performers

Jason Momoa’s Aquaman And Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman Were The DCEU’s Breakout Stars

The DCEU had its ups and downs throughout its 10-year existence, but two of its most remarkable feats were undeniably Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman and James Wan’s Aquaman, which claimed the top spots in the list of highest-grossing DCEU solo movies, and the first and third spots on the list of highest grossing DCEU movies overall, beating films such as Suicide Squad, Man of Steel, and Justice League. Despite not having any previous big screen adaptations, Aquaman and Wonder Woman managed to bring more people to cinemas than Batman and Superman themselves. As reported by TheNumbers:

While Wonder Woman 1984 struggled to match Wonder Woman‘s success — in part due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its streaming release — Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom managed to break the DCEU’s downward streak, surpassing movies such as Black Adam, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and Blue Beetle. Clearly, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are both properties with plenty of potential in live-action. Yet, it may take a long while for James Gunn’s DCU to introduce its own version of Diana Prince and Arthur Curry.

Why The DCU May Have Avoided Introducing Wonder Woman & Aquaman In Chapter 1

The DCEU’s Version Of Wonder Woman And Aquaman Are Still Too Fresh In The Audiences’ Minds

The DCU is set to begin with James Gunn’s Superman, which will introduce a new Man of Steel three years after Henry Cavill’s final Superman appearance. The DCU will also present a new Batman in Andy Muschietti’s The Brave and the Bold, which will likely be released concurrently with Matt Reeves’ The Batman trilogy. Although Superman and Batman will make their DCU debut much sooner than Wonder Woman and Aquaman, it makes sense for any blooming DC franchise to establish its take on the Worlds’ Finest early on, and then start expanding its sights on the rest of the universe.

Lesser-known characters could serve as a palate cleanser for audiences who grew too attached to the DCEU’s version of Aquaman and Wonder Woman.

The DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” chapter seems to be avoiding comparisons with the DCEU’s release structure too. Instead of aiming to assemble a Justice League, James Gunn’s DC Universe is exploring other corners of DC’s extensive lore, such as The Authority, the Creature Commandos, and Swamp Thing. Lesser-known characters could serve as a palate cleanser for audiences who grew too attached to the DCEU’s version of Aquaman and Wonder Woman, but they could also become just as popular in the meantime.

Aquaman & Wonder Woman’s Current DCU Absence May Be A Good Thing

The DCU Will Likely Take Advantage Of The Long Wait For Aquaman And Wonder Woman’s DCU Debut

Despite the DCEU’s struggles, box office numbers prove that audiences have grown attached to Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa’s DCEU portrayals of Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Wonder Woman and Aquaman’s casting, costumes, score, and character arcs are still too fresh to allow new live-action portrayals to leave their own mark. A generous break from both characters may be the best way for the DCU to avoid comparisons and raise anticipation for Aquaman and Wonder Woman’s inevitable DCU introduction.

Besides, the DCU series Paradise Lost will explore Themyscira from the point of view of a different character, likely setting the stage for Wonder Woman’s DCU debut. It’s possible that the DCU’s Atlantis will get the same treatment, especially considering how visually breathtaking James Wan’s Atlantis was in the DCEU. This approach already suggests that even though the DCU might give Wonder Woman and Aquaman a similarly sized role as the DCEU, there will be enough visible differences between both versions that the wait will be worth it.

• 

  Wonder Woman

  Director

  Patty Jenkins

  Release Date

  June 2, 2017

  Runtime

  141 Mins

• 

  Wonder Woman 1984

  Director

  Patty Jenkins

  Release Date

  December 25, 2020

  Runtime

  115 Minutes

• 

  Aquaman

  Release Date

  July 6, 2018

  Runtime

  143 Minutes

•