Let's officially change the title to 'Wonder Woman Presents: Batman v Superman - Dawn of Justice.'
Batman v Superman opens in just a couple of weeks, but don't forget that Wonder Woman will also be making a grand appearance on the big screen for the first time. That's huge. And the importance of the role and the character's history isn't lost on Gal Gadot, who will be stepping into the Amazonian's armor on March 25th.
In a chat with Glamour, Gadot talked about her acting career's trajectory and how it was never a path she intended to take. Cut to more than 10 years after winning the title of Miss Israel in 2004, Gadot opens up about all things Wonder Woman, including how the role has impacted her personal life.
Watch Gadot talk about her highly anticipated role as Wonder Woman in the video below, followed by some choice quotes from her interview:
Gadot looked back on her audition process for Batman v Superman:
Gal Gadot: I was in this weird career phase, going back and forth from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles for auditions. I kept getting pretty far—multiple callbacks, camera tests—then it would be a no. Over and over. I was like, “God, Yaron, maybe I should quit.” Then my agent called and said Warner Brothers wanted to audition me for something.
Zack [Snyder, the director] called before I met with Ben Affleck. He said, “I don’t know if you have this in Tel Aviv, but…have you ever heard of Wonder Woman?” My jaw dropped. I tried to sound nonchalant, like, “Oh yeah, Wonder Woman, sure.” [Laughs.]
Image via Warner Bros.
She then stressed just which aspects of Wonder Woman she wanted to bring to her portrayal:
For BvS it was important for me that we show how independent she is. She is not relying on a man, and she’s not there because of a love story. She’s not there to serve someone else.
She has so many strengths and powers, but at the end of the day she’s a woman with a lot of emotional intelligence. She’s loving. And it’s all her heart—that’s her strength. I think women are amazing for being able to show what they feel. I admire women who do. I think it’s a mistake when women cover their emotions to look tough. I say let’s own who we are and use it as a strength.
Gadot also revealed how the role has impacted her relationship with her daughter in an entirely positive way, which is how she hopes the character will be received by audiences everywhere. And if you're worried that she hasn't been working on her physical training for the role, don't be:
Image via Warner Bros.
Since I’ve started, I’ve gained about 17 pounds, and it’s all muscle. I feel so much better now. When you feel strong, it changes everything—your posture, the way you walk. I look at photos from five years ago and think, Whoa, I was too skinny. It’s not cool.
GLAMOUR: Fans are paying close attention to every detail about the movie. Do you read their Internet comments or try to shut that out?
GG: I did in the beginning. You want people to be happy! There were a lot of comments about the size of my breasts.
GLAMOUR: Did they want them bigger or smaller?
GG: Uh, what do you think? [Laughs.] I realized we can’t please everyone. In one interview I did say, “If you want it to really be true to the origin story, the [myth goes that] Amazons had only one breast; otherwise it would get in the way of the bow and arrow.” So!
Image via Warner Bros.
Gadot also shared her thoughts on feminism and how she defines it:
There are such misconceptions as to what a feminist is. Feminism is about equality. I want all people to have the same opportunities and to get the same salaries for the same jobs. I realize I’m doing what I want to do because of the women before me who laid the groundwork. Without them I wouldn’t be an educated working mother who is following her dreams; I wouldn’t be here.
Gadot talked about quite a bit more with Glamour, so be sure to head there for the full interview. We'll close with Gadot managing expectations for the film:
Image via Warner Bros.
GLAMOUR: At Comic-Con we both saw this traditionally male fan base embrace a female superhero, which is great.
GG: Amen! It should have happened a long time ago! Now people are looking for [a superheroine], waiting for one, and I’m so happy and grateful to be the one who is actually doing it.
GLAMOUR: Do you feel those expectations?
GG: I do. I do. But not in a bad way. I feel like, Yes, I can do it—like any man can do Superman or Captain America.
GLAMOUR: It’s pretty far from where you thought you’d be.
GG: Nothing I planned happened. But whenever opportunity arose, I was prepared and positive. And all those things I didn’t get, all those “almosts”—if I got them, I wouldn’t be Wonder Woman. What’s mine is mine, and what’s not mine was never meant to be.
For more on Batman v Superman, check out our previous and continuing coverage below:
