James Gunn, head of DC Studios, reacted strongly to an incorrect social media post that mislabeled pop singer Sabrina Carpenter’s Halloween 2025 costume. The Grammy-winning artist performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 31, wearing a costume inspired by Wonder Woman, which led to surprising confusion online, drawing Gunn’s attention. This incident involved a misidentification that highlighted the ongoing challenges of accurately representing iconic superhero imagery.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Halloween Costume Sparks Confusion
During her Halloween concert at Madison Square Garden, Sabrina Carpenter embraced the festive spirit by performing her hit song Manchild while dressed in a Wonder Woman-inspired outfit. Variety captured video footage of the event and published it on Threads, but mistakenly captioned Carpenter’s costume as “Superwoman.” Gunn, known for his vigilance regarding the DC brand and its characters, responded by incredulously questioning the error with the single word, “Superwoman?!”
Carpenter showcased her costume to fans on Instagram, expressing gratitude for their support at the event. Her outfit paid homage to the classic Wonder Woman look worn by Lynda Carter in the 1970s television series, featuring a bodysuit with a gold tiara reminiscent of Carter’s portrayal of Diana Prince. The costume also included a bedazzled string hanging from her waist designed to resemble Wonder Woman’s famed Lasso of Truth, along with sparkling gauntlets on her wrists that completed the ensemble.
Adding to the thematic atmosphere, Carpenter’s backup dancers appeared as iconic pop culture and superhero characters such as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Beatrix Kiddo from Kill Bill, and Michael Jackson styled after his Thriller music video. This blend of distinct costume choices highlighted the varied inspiration Carpenter and her team selected for the performance.
James Gunn’s Role in the Future of Wonder Woman
James Gunn is currently overseeing early development for a new Wonder Woman film within the evolving DC Universe. As the creative leader at DC Studios, Gunn aims to introduce fresh storytelling through a movie distinct from Gal Gadot’s previous DCEU portrayals of the Amazonian warrior. Additionally, he is producing a series titled Paradise Lost for HBO Max, which will delve into the culture and politics of Wonder Woman’s home island, Themyscira. While official announcements on release dates remain pending, these projects mark strategic expansions of the Wonder Woman mythos under Gunn’s guidance.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Emerging Superhero Associations
Although Sabrina Carpenter is mainly recognized today as a singer-songwriter, her acting background includes roles on television series like Girl Meets World and Milo Murphy’s Law. There has been speculation linking her to roles within the superhero film landscape, predominantly on the Marvel side. In June 2025, rumors surfaced that Marvel might consider Carpenter for the role of Dazzler, a mutant character, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This prospect drew attention given Carpenter’s vocal talents and youthful image, qualities fitting for the musical mutant.
Carpenter’s connection to superhero roles extends beyond rumors about Dazzler. In an interview with WIRED, when questioned about the possibility of playing Spider-Gwen (Gwen Stacy), Carpenter displayed nervousness and guarded her response carefully:
“Oh my gosh, that’s so funny! I don’t know. I feel like anytime Marvel is brought up, by the way, I get this immediate panic even if I’m not working with them, just the sheer thought of maybe working with them, and I’m like ‘I can’t give away anything.'”
?Sabrina Carpenter, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
This reluctance reflects the secretive nature of Marvel’s casting processes and the careful image control surrounding superhero projects.
Comparing New Directions for Wonder Woman and the DC Universe
James Gunn recently revealed that his iteration of the Wonder Woman movie will differ significantly in tone from Gal Gadot’s earlier films. According to insider Jeff Sneider, DC’s leadership desires a version of Wonder Woman who embodies a lighter, brighter, and more playful presence. This creative direction intends to reenergize Diana Prince’s character within the new DC Universe, much like Gunn’s recent revitalization of Superman with actor David Corenswet.
While Carpenter’s involvement as Wonder Woman in the DCU appears unlikely, both her career and Gunn’s projects promise to attract considerable attention in the evolving superhero media landscape. The interactions between fan culture, celebrity appearances, and brand representation remain highly dynamic as studios adapt to new audiences and creative demands.
Wider Impact of the Costume Mix-Up and Gunn’s Vigilance
This Halloween costume confusion serves as a reminder of how vigilant creators like James Gunn must be in preserving the integrity of iconic characters. The error sparked conversations about identity, costume accuracy, and the importance of respecting established imagery within the superhero genre. As DC Studios progresses with its ambitious slate of projects under Gunn’s leadership, maintaining clear distinctions and honoring legacy characters will likely remain a priority to satisfy both longtime fans and new viewers.
Looking forward, audiences can expect further developments on Gunn’s Wonder Woman film and HBO Max series, alongside continued buzz around rising talents like Sabrina Carpenter potentially stepping into superhero roles elsewhere. The blend of music, performance, and comic book culture will continue shaping the entertainment landscape in uncertain and exciting ways.
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