Rapidly emerging as one of Hollywood’s most engaging and sought-after talents, Israeli-born actress Gal Gadot (“Fast and the Furious” franchise) plays Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman in Warner Bros. Pictures' epic, action-adventure “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” She's starring opposite Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman.
“Once we had Batman in the story, all I could think was, ‘Is it crazy to bring Wonder Woman in, too?’” director Zack Snyder recalls. “For me, as a longtime fan, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are the comic book trinity, and I knew movie audiences have been dying for Wonder Woman. I thought it would be amazing to include her as a way to introduce the character into this world.”
Though the Amazon warrior’s appearance is brief, her timing is impeccable, and she definitely intrigues both Batman and Superman.
It was for the role of Wonder Woman that the filmmakers felt perhaps the greatest responsibility when it came to casting. “Wonder Woman had just turned 75 years old, and we really felt it was time for her to grace the big screen,” declares producer Deborah Snyder. “She is one of the most powerful female heroes that we have, she symbolizes so much strength and passion, and she is a role model for women of all ages.”
So, no pressure, right?
“We searched all over the world, we looked at hundreds of actors for the role,” she continues. “When we met Gal Gadot, it was unanimous among us that she was special, that she personified Wonder Woman. And as we got to know her and saw how she interacted with everyone, we knew that she was the right fit. Wonder Woman represents love and truth and sexual equality. Gal really embodies those characteristics.”
Gadot’s first day on set as the heroine had an impact on everyone, especially one very young visitor—the niece of a crew member who had drawn a picture for Wonder Woman. “This sweet little girl gave me a beautiful picture she had drawn for me,” Gadot recalls, “and people just started to cry. It was very moving and it proved how important the character is. For little girls who can be inspired to be strong, independent and sophisticated women when they grow up and for little boys who learn they must respect women, Wonder Woman represents a lot of good values, and moral strength, too.”
The new era of Wonder Woman begins now with the launch of “Wonder Woman 1984’s” official main trailer.
