The previous Israeli combat instructor and former pageant winner had decided to move on from pursuing an acting career until she unexpectedly landed the opportunity of a lifetime.
Gal Gadot, the actress who portrays Wonder Woman, believes that everyone should be a feminist. She suggests that those who are not feminists are essentially sexist. During a recent encounter, she gently placed her hands on my pregnant belly and asked if she could bless my unborn child. Her touch felt comforting and caring as she held my gaze with confidence. When I revealed that I was expecting a girl, her smile grew wider. She shared with me that being a woman is a source of strength in various aspects of life.
Strangely enough, this is not some fantasy world; it’s just a casual lunch at the luxurious Chateau Marmont. Gal Gadot is supposedly here for a chat about her incredible journey from being a relative unknown to becoming a global icon as the first cinematic Wonder Woman. But you can’t help but sense a touch of the heroic in her mere presence. Forget the fact that she was dealing with a four-month-old baby at 5 a.m. (“It’s tiring, but it’s the best”), in person, she exudes a mix of nurturing Earth mother and glamorous wonder. Her accent is movie-worthy, and her voice has a sultry undertone. Her portrayal of Wonder Woman encapsulates both the strength and the innate goodness of the character so flawlessly that she seems to challenge the sexism of the current political climate. It’s said that women openly wept in theaters as they witnessed her onscreen. While most struggle with pronouncing her name correctly (it’s actually “gadott,” not “gadoh”), Gal Gadot doesn’t bother about such trivial matters. “I prefer a peaceful and harmonious ambiance,” she mentions. Later she adds, “It’s important to find your inner peace.” In her presence, these aspirations suddenly seem tangible, even likely.
Or at least, feasible if you’re her. Look at the way she shrugs off criticism regarding Wonder Woman being played by an Israeli: “Oh, come on, really?”. Despite being banned in some Arab countries for this reason. She also cleverly dismissed complaints about the size of her bust by pointing out that historically, Wonder Woman would have had only one breast anyway: “What’s the fuss about? It’s not about my small boobs and butt, it’s about embodying the character.” She braved the London cold, shooting in minimal clothing for long hours daily. Most notably, she filmed Wonder Woman reshoots and Justice League while pregnant with her second child, brushing off morning sickness. “We had to specially modify the costume with a green screen on my belly. It was quite hilarious – Wonder Woman with a bump.”
Gal Gadot’s pregnancy bump was just one of the challenges faced by the Justice League production team. After a family tragedy, director Zack Snyder left the movie in the hands of Joss Whedon. Co-star Ben Affleck hinted at a significant change in direction with two directors at the helm. Despite the controversy, Gadot remains unfazed. She believes that Joss Whedon, Zack’s choice to complete the film, is simply tweaking the existing tone. Thanks to her unflappable nature, Wonder Woman exceeded all expectations and breathed life into the struggling DC Comics universe. The film’s success speaks for itself, making it the highest-grossing live-action movie directed by a woman. Gal Gadot feels the world was ready for a powerful female-led action film, and she made sure that it became a reality.
Securing a lead role in a major franchise would have been a significant achievement for any budding actor. Gadot felt elated just to have a job. However, playing Wonder Woman was not just any role; it was the representation feminists had been craving for years. The history of Wonder Woman as a symbol of female power wasn’t lost on her. Growing up in Israel, she was raised to believe in equality and self-worth alongside her sister. Her unconventional journey from working at Burger King to unexpectedly winning the Miss Israel pageant and later participating in Miss Universe taught her valuable life lessons. With a rebellious spirit, she intentionally underperformed in Miss Universe to evade the responsibility of winning. It turned out to be a victorious loss for her.
After her reign as Miss Israel unexpectedly came to an end, she found herself working as a combat trainer in the IDF, leading soldiers through their paces at 5 a.m. every day. It was during this time that she crossed paths with real-estate developer Yaron Versano at a unique desert party focused on chakras. Their meeting eventually led to marriage, and she decided to pursue law school, influenced by her love for Ally McBeal and a desire to move away from a career based solely on her physical appearance. However, fate led her back to the spotlight when a casting director encouraged her to audition for a Bond girl role, which ultimately opened the door to her iconic roles in The Fast and the Furious and Wonder Woman.
Despite facing instances of sexist behavior throughout her life, she saw her role as Wonder Woman as both a professional opportunity and a chance to advocate for feminism. Gadot felt a personal connection to the character’s values of love, hope, and acceptance, especially considering her family history shaped by the atrocities of World War II. Her maternal grandfather’s experiences during the war deeply impacted her worldview, highlighting the importance of values such as hope, love, and positivity.
With Wonder Woman, Gadot saw an opportunity to share a powerful story and message, working closely with director Patty Jenkins to ensure the character remained true to her roots. They emphasized the importance of portraying Wonder Woman as strong yet feminine, avoiding clichés of the stoic warrior archetype. Gadot believed that true strength came from embracing femininity and approaching challenges with empathy and grace. Together, they delved into how a woman raised in a society of strong women would navigate a world dominated by men, adding depth and complexity to the iconic character.
The outcome is a subtle form of feminism that appears unintentional even though it was planned carefully. Gal Gadot explains, “We didn’t want to preach about misogyny, we aimed to surprise the audience.” Wonder Woman’s reaction to being excluded from a male-dominated war council meeting or her excitement upon seeing a baby on the street is portrayed with naivety, as Gadot wanted to bring a sense of innocence to the character. This depiction of a woman without insecurities, who follows her instincts without any concern for gender norms, was a conscious choice.
Both Gadot and director Patty Jenkins were surprised by the positive response to the film, with women expressing how they felt a connection to it. The film’s impact grew as more people, including elderly women and young boys, embraced it. Gadot finds the overwhelming reception of the movie and the rise of the Wonder Woman movement across the country to be both incredible and surreal.
As the buzz around her intensifies and anticipation for Wonder Woman 2 builds up, Gadot remains grounded and focused. She recently relocated to Los Angeles with her family, where she juggles parenting her five-year-old daughter, caring for her baby, and finding relaxation in simple moments like cooking Italian food, listening to calm music, and enjoying quality family time. Despite the chaos surrounding her, Gadot exudes a sense of calm and positivity, believing that everything will turn out wonderfully.