For a long time, fans of comic books eagerly awaited the arrival of a movie featuring Wonder Woman. At that point in time, Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress who was not widely known, was chosen to play the role.
After being a part of DC Comics for over 70 years, Wonder Woman is finally getting her own standalone feature film and the hype surrounding it has been massive. The movie has been promoted extensively through various mediums such as teaser trailers, merchandise, online buzz, and billboard campaigns, which have all contributed to making it one of the most anticipated films of the year. Fans have been eagerly waiting for a Wonder Woman movie for ages, and despite rumors about notable actresses like Angelina Jolie and Beyoncรฉ taking on the role, it was ultimately given to Gal Gadot, who was relatively unknown at the time. Gadot, who has an Americanized Hebrew accent, is married to a multimillionaire property developer and has a daughter. Though the family has been living in Los Angeles for the past three years, they will soon be taking a break for the birth of their second child before embarking on a global promotional tour.
For the past three years, Wonder Woman has played a significant role in her life. The iconic superhero was given the role in 2014 and made her debut as a supporting character in the blockbuster movie, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Her portrayal of the beloved character was well-received by audiences and critics, leaving fans eager for more. Wonder Woman’s legendary status is widely known, dating back to her first appearance in DC Comics in 1941 and the fan-favorite television series from the 1970s starring Lynda Carter. As a character, she is lauded for her compassionate nature and impressive skills as an Amazonian warrior princess who goes by the name Diana Prince.
The character was brought to life on an imaginary island named Themyscira and was bestowed with remarkable abilities from the Greek gods. Her mother instilled in her the value of using her powers for the greater good, even if it meant getting into physical altercations. The character is an outstanding athlete and her attire is easily recognizable, just like in Gadot’s 2017 depiction. She wears a corset, boots with high heels that reach the knee, and a leather skirt that resembles a bustanella. Despite not having much input in the design of her outfit, she absolutely loved it. It was vital to ensure that the costume was both comfortable and practical, and as a result, modifications were made to the material used after discovering that the first costume designed for Batman v Superman was too tight and restrictive for movement. The character emphasized the need to feel at ease while wearing a corset and engaging in jumping and breathing exercises.
Gal Gadot brought Wonder Woman to life in April, showcasing the character’s traditional weapons such as her tiara, indestructible bracelets, sword and shield, and “lasso of truth.” The theme of justice is prominent in Wonder Woman storylines, given that its creator, psychologist William Moulton Marston, also developed the polygraph. The new film is set during World War I, where Wonder Woman rescues American pilot Steve Trevor, and together they fight against both realistic and comic-book villains in London. Gadot emphasizes that the movie is not just about a hero and damsel-in-distress, but rather two equal individuals learning from each other. Wonder Woman represents hope and love, while Trevor is more pragmatic. The film offers a blend of action, romance, and classic comic-book elements, making it suitable for all audiences.
Gal Gadot, along with her husband Yaron Versano and their daughter Alma, moved to Hampstead for four months during the filming of Wonder Woman in London. The set was a fun and tight-knit environment, thanks to director Patty Jenkins, despite the chilly weather. Even on below-zero days and nights, they would still film outside. While Chris Pine stayed warm in layers, Gadot remained in her leather costume, earning admiration and jokes from the crew. However, she seemed unfazed by the cold and was a brave trooper throughout the shoot.
Becoming a superhero is not as easy as putting on a costume and acting on set. Gal Gadot spent a grueling seven months preparing for her role, dedicating six hours a day to training. Her routine consisted of weightlifting and cardio exercises for two hours in the gym, two hours of martial arts choreography (always with a sword and shield), and sometimes practicing horseback riding or lasso techniques. Although some of these skills were familiar to her, the level of training required was strenuous and brought back memories of her school days. Gadot’s parents were strict about limiting their daughters’ TV time and encouraged outdoor activities like volleyball and basketball. After trying beauty pageants and modeling in Europe, Gadot fulfilled her mandatory two-year military service in the Israel Defense Forces. There, she trained in Krav Maga and even trained older male soldiers. Despite never firing a gun outside of training, she believes that most people in the army want peace and quiet in the region.
Initially, Gal Gadot never had any intention of pursuing a career in acting. Instead, her focus was on law and modeling. However, it was her agent who encouraged her to try out for the role of a Bond girl. This opportunity ignited her passion for drama, prompting her to take on more auditions. Her experience in an Israeli soap opera allowed her to gain the necessary skills to land roles in Hollywood movies such as the Fast & Furious series. Though criticized by some comic book fans for not meeting their physical expectations, Gadot remained unafraid to speak out against sexism. She embraced the feminist qualities of her iconic character, Wonder Woman, and believes that feminism should enable individuals to choose their paths in life, irrespective of gender.
Gal Gadot, who is famous for her role as Diana in the movie Wonder Woman, expresses her belief that her character represents women’s abilities beyond limitations. As a person with contradictions like any other woman, Diana is unique and relatable. Gal has high hopes that her own daughters and all girls will look up to Diana as their hero. While women have many female idols in music, they are just starting to receive the recognition they deserve in movies. Gal feels privileged to be part of this shift and loves seeing little girls dressed up as Wonder Woman. Even while pregnant, she managed to shoot Justice League and may return to the corset for upcoming films if they are well-received. Gal still prefers a pared-down workout routine and believes that every woman is capable of being Wonder Woman.
