Recent reports indicate that Monolith Productions faced significant challenges while attempting to implement the fan-favorite and patented Nemesis System in the now-canceled Wonder Woman game. According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, who discussed the situation on the Kinda Funny Games Daily podcast, the game, along with the closure of its developer Monolith, encountered multiple setbacks during its development phase.
It has been claimed that the latest iteration of the Wonder Woman game, prior to the studio's closure, would have omitted the Nemesis System. Instead, it was set to follow a more traditional action-adventure format similar to the acclaimed God of War series. Following the success of Monolith’s two Lord of the Rings titles, the studio had aimed to develop a new intellectual property (IP) that would expand upon the Nemesis System’s innovative procedural narrative.
However, Schreier noted that it became evident to Warner Bros. executives that the game was unlikely to proceed. “During this time, it’s kind of clear to people at Warner Bros that this game is not going to happen because people at Warner Bros are not interested in new IP,” he stated. In 2021, Warner Bros. canceled the original IP, which resulted in the resignation of the entire leadership team at Monolith.
After the cancellation, the studio pivoted to work on the Wonder Woman project. The game was officially announced later that year at The Game Awards, featuring a brief trailer that showcased the character model. “Warner Bros decides it’s not interested in new IP and decides they (Monolith) are going to make a Wonder Woman game,” Schreier explained.
In early 2024, the game underwent a significant reboot, which included a change in directors and a complete overhaul of its direction. “The main thing that was rebooted was the idea that Wonder Woman would befriend people. It was the Nemesis System in reverse, where they would become your allies, and it wasn’t coming together,” Schreier added. Ultimately, the game was redesigned to be more in line with the traditional action format seen in titles like God of War, but by that point, it was considered too late for a successful turnaround.
Following the cancellation, a consultant on the game provided insights into what the title could have offered had it been completed. Veteran comic book writer Gail Simone, known for her extensive work on Wonder Woman and her role as a long-term consultant for the now-canceled game, expressed her thoughts on social media platform X. She remarked, “The game was gorgeous and expansive.” Simone praised the effort put into the project, stating, “It was beautiful to look at. I am not going to give details for a number of reasons, but every effort was made to make this not just a great game, but a great WONDER WOMAN game—a showpiece epic.”
She continued to commend the team’s dedication, saying, “Everyone who worked on it brought their A-game. Programmers, artists, designers, everyone. I don’t know that I have ever worked with a team that cared more about making sure the end product was perfect.”
The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game has left many fans and members of the gaming community disappointed. As a project that promised to combine the rich storytelling of the Nemesis System with the iconic character of Wonder Woman, its potential was immense. The insights shared by industry veterans like Gail Simone highlight not only the high expectations for the game but also the commitment of the development team to create something truly special.
