When James Gunn cast Adria Arjona (Andor, Morbius) for next year’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, reports pegged the actor as playing a relatively obscure DC character named Maxima. But some DC fans have long speculated that Arjona was secretly cast as another, much more well-known DC superhero, Wonder Woman. A recent video featuring Arjona has only served to reignite those rumors, as the actor detailed her intense workout regimen to buff up for the recently released Onslaught and her next big movie, Man of Tomorrow.
The fact that Arjona is careful not to reveal which DC character she’s playing in that video has only intensified speculation that we may already know who our next Wonder Woman is.
In a recently published video from Women’s Health, Arjona walks viewers through her boxing and weightlifting routine, which sounds rigorous enough to tire an Amazonian superhero. “I’m enjoying the transformation, but it’s hard work,” Arjona says in the video. “I’ve never felt stronger, but it’s hard. The excitement of playing the woman I’m playing gives me everything I need to wake up. Physically, it’s exhausting, but it’s all for the greater good.”
Some fans have interpreted Arjona’s comments as evidence that she will be the DCU’s new Wonder Woman, based on her excitement levels and keeping her role secret. Fans argue she wouldn’t be so excited to play Maxima, a relatively obscure character who prompted numerous ‘Who Is Maxima in DC Comics?’ articles across the internet.
If Arjona is playing Wonder Woman in Man of Tomorrow, she may be finding herself in the position actor Sadie Sink found herself in this year, as she dodged questions about her mystery role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day as Jean Grey. Whether Arjona will be forced to endure nearly a year’s worth of questions about her DCU debut remains to be seen. Man of Tomorrow is still many months away; the movie is slated to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.
Gunn’s DC Studios is reportedly also working on a stand-alone Wonder Woman movie, with Supergirl scribe Ana Nogueira reportedly writing the script.
Should Man of Tomorrow introduce the DCU’s Wonder Woman first — Superman did introduce Green Lantern, Supergirl, and Hawkgirl, after all — Arjona would officially replace the former live-action Amazon, Gal Gadot. Prior to Gadot’s Diana Prince, Wonder Woman was portrayed on screen by Cathy Lee Crosby in the 1974 made-for-TV movie Wonder Woman and by Lynda Carter in the 1975 television series of the same name.
Man of Tomorrow will see David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult reprise their roles as Superman and Lex Luthor, respectively. Also returning for the Superman sequel are Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., María Gabriela de Faría as the Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and Milly Alcock as Supergirl. New to the cinematic Superman family are Aaron Pierre (Lanterns, Rebel Ridge) as John Stewart/Green Lantern and Andre Royo, Matthew Lillard, and Sinqua Walls in unspecified roles.