Gal Gadot’s Breakout Role as Wonder Woman

When Gal Gadot landed the coveted role of Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films back in 2013, few predicted the immense stardom that would follow. Up until that point, Gadot was primarily known for supporting roles in The Fast and the Furious franchise.

But her turn as the iconic Amazonian warrior princess in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and then the solo Wonder Woman film in 2017 catapulted her to new heights in Hollywood.

So did playing such an iconic character have a profound impact on Gadot’s acting abilities and Hollywood presence? There are compelling arguments on both sides. On the one hand, the role utilized a wider emotional range than her previous action-heavy parts and gave her a major platform to inspire women.

However, Gadot already had strong acting chops in smaller films, and all actors evolve over time regardless of specific roles. Ultimately, while Wonder Woman amplified her stardom, Gadot’s natural talent and charisma shine through all her performances.

Gadot’s Pre-Wonder Woman Roles

Born and raised in Israel, Gadot was crowned Miss Israel at age 18 before serving the mandatory two years in the Israel Defense Forces. She then studied law while pursuing a modeling career. Her big acting break came in 2009 when she landed the role of Gisele in Fast & Furious, beating out six other actresses.

This launched her Hollywood career, and she went onto star in two more Fast & Furious films while also playing smaller parts in movies like Date Night (2010), Knight and Day (2010) and Triple 9 (2016).

These initial roles showed Gadot’s potential but didn’t require much emotional range outside being a gorgeous, badass action girl. For example, her Fast & Furious character Gisele was the tough-as-nails girlfriend of Han Seoul-Oh (Sung Kang) who could maneuver weapons and cars with the best of them. While Gadot showcased her physicality and stunt skills in these roles, she hadn’t yet headlined a major blockbuster or carried the emotional weight of a film.

Landing the Role of a Lifetime

When Zack Snyder began casting for Batman v Superman, he conducted an extensive search for the right actress to don Wonder Woman’s bracelets. The film would mark the first time the iconic superhero appeared in a live-action movie, so the role came with sky-high expectations from fans.

Names like Olga Kurylenko were floated, but Snyder saw something special in the relatively unknown Gadot. Even though she didn’t have much experience with action films, Gadot possessed the right combination of physical presence, acting ability and on-screen charisma to shine as the Amazon warrior.

According to Gadot: “Zack Snyder was looking for his Wonder Woman for a long time. He told me that I was the first actress he met in person. We spoke a lot about who Wonder Woman needs to be, and I remember telling him that I wish one day my daughter will look up at the screen and see Wonder Woman as an empowered, confident and kind-hearted female character, and I want her to believe she can do anything she puts her mind to.”

This meeting of the minds between Snyder and Gadot proved pivotal. Once Gadot landed the role, she underwent a grueling six month training regimen to pack on 17 pounds of muscle and get in top physical shape. The training incorporated martial arts, swordsmanship, weightlifting, gymnastics and more – transforming Gadot into a powerhouse befitting of an Amazonian goddess. But beyond the physicality, playing such an iconic feminist character also impacted her emotionally and psychologically.

Early Reviews Sing Her Praises

When Batman v Superman hit theaters in 2016, the film received mixed reviews from critics and fans. However, Gadot’s performance was a rare highlight that generated immense buzz. Critics praised her for capturing Wonder Woman’s strength, compassion and inherent sense of justice in limited screen time.

The Los Angeles Times raved: “Gadot, who has the kind of old-school Hollywood star wattage that seems destined to burn brighter in sequels to come, might just be the best thing in ‘Batman v Superman.’” Richard Roeper called Gadot “a charming and commanding presence” while Variety singled out her performance as “no small feat…Gadot manages to pull that off.”

Fans instantly clamored to see more of this magnetic new Wonder Woman. And Gadot was ready to answer the call, having fully immersed herself in understanding Diana Prince on a deeper level.

Headlining the Solo Film

When Patty Jenkins signed on to direct a standalone Wonder Woman film, she worked closely with Gadot to further shape the character’s personality and backstory. The script fleshed out Diana’s origins growing up as a princess on the hidden island of Themyscira, which was inhabited solely by Amazon warrior women. This required Gadot to showcase a wide-eyed curiosity and sheltered innocence before Diana ventures into the outside world.

Then when Diana does enter the fray of World War I, Gadot pivots to display her heroic instincts in battle while confronting the complexities of early 20th century geopolitics. This combination of fish-out-of-water innocence, fierce warrior skills and passionate idealism is all captured beautifully in Gadot’s multilayered performance.

Even more than her physicality, Gadot’s ability to convey emotion and compassion is what truly elevates the character.

Jenkins also worked closely with Gadot on body language and costume design, wanting to present Wonder Woman as an approachable hero who connects with everyday people. They adjusted her towering high heels into more sensible boots so she could run and kneel down to speak to kids at their level. These insights all came from Gadot’s deep understanding of Wonder Woman’s empathy and humanitarianism.

Smashing Records & Breaking Barriers

When Wonder Woman finally hit theaters in June 2017, the film smashed records and expectations. It broke the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a female-directed film, eventually earning $821 million globally. Fans around the world fell in love with this groundbreaking female superhero, and Gadot became the woman of the hour in Hollywood.

The film resonated deeply due to its inspirational themes of a woman discovering her power and fighting for justice. Young girls dressed up as Wonder Woman in record numbers on Halloween. And decades after her comic book debut, Wonder Woman finally claimed her rightful place as a feminist pop culture icon.

Gadot’s performance was central to this success. She struck a perfect balance between strength and compassion that brought Wonder Woman to life for new generations. Variety film critic Owen Gleiberman summed it up: “Gadot inhabits the role with a warmth we’ve never seen before. She’s fierce yet innocent, built like an exotic dancer yet earnest as a Peace Corps volunteer…”

Other reviewers praised her for being “fierce, charming and determined” (Mashable) and having “enough steely charm to anchor the whole production” (Vulture). Both hardcore fans and casual moviegoers fell under her spell. Suddenly a worldwide star, Gadot became a sought-after guest on talk shows and magazine covers.

The Impact of Wonder Woman

So how much did headlining such an iconic film impact Gadot’s career trajectory and skills as an actress? Simply put, the role launched her into the A-list stratosphere while allowing her to grow in new directions.

On the stardom front, Gadot followed up her breakout role with parts in several high-profile films like Justice League (2017), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019). She also hosted Saturday Night Live to show off her comedy chops. Of course, Gadot will forever be tied to the character that made her famous – starring in the sequel Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) and future Wonder Woman films that will likely stretch for years.

Professionally, Gadot launched her own production company Pilot Wave Pictures in 2018 and has several films in development. She leveraged her supercharged profile into more hands-on creative roles.

Acting-wise, Gadot stretched herself in new ways post-Wonder Woman. She took on the meaty title role in a big-budget Cleopatra biopic and will star as the lead in an ensemble mystery film adaptation of Death on the Nile. Both films require more dramatic heft than her action-oriented early career.

“As much as the whole experience of Wonder Woman was so amazing and life-changing, it also opened a lot of doors for me,” Gadot told Variety in 2018. “Everyone is looking for strong female characters, especially female directors. Everyone is looking to create more opportunities for female directors and female-driven stories.”

Gadot herself recognizes how Wonder Woman expanded her platform and opportunities exponentially. She’s also spoken about how empowering it feels to play such an influential feminist character. That sense of inspiration translates into her off-screen advocacy as well.

Advocating for Women’s Empowerment

Ever since her breakout role, Gadot has become increasingly vocal about the importance of women’s empowerment in the real world. When asked by Rolling Stone in 2017 if her life perspective changed after playing Wonder Woman, she replied:

“My perspective didn’t change, but the ability to reach more people helped me to get my voice out there more – to emphasize the importance of equality and women empowerment.”

The Wonder Woman role gave Gadot more confidence to speak out on political issues like gender equality and Hollywood sexism. She calls herself a proud feminist who wants to set a good example for her two daughters. Gadot also uses her platform to encourage young girls to pursue their dreams without self-doubt or intimidation.

“I want to set the right example for my daughters,” Gadot told Glamour magazine in 2017. “I was just born into this position. I didn’t do anything to get here. I think Wonder Woman is an amazing role model for girls everywhere.”

From supporting the Time’s Up organization to speaking at the 2018 Revlon’s Live Boldly Summit, Gadot continues advocating for gender parity through equal pay, safety, and opportunity. And she credits Wonder Woman for bolstering her influence to speak out.

“Ever since I was young, my mother always told me, ‘Gal, you should speak the truth. Speak your mind. Raise your voice,’” she told Variety in 2018. “She always taught me to be true to myself and never let anyone quiet me.”

Remaining Grounded Despite Newfound Fame

Despite her meteoric rise to fame playing one of the most famous superheroes ever, Gadot remains remarkably down to earth. She continues living a low-key life focused on her family rather than flashy Hollywood parties. Gadot also praises her husband Yaron Varsano for his steadfast support over 14 years of marriage.

“I have my feet planted on the ground,” Gadot told Glamour. “I have a loving husband and two daughters that I adore. I feel very much like Wonder Woman. I’m very confident and happy and full of life.”

Rather than let the spotlight go to her head, Gadot stays humble and grateful for the opportunities that opened up since achieving stardom. Far from resting on her laurels, she continues working hard to become an even better actress capable of nuanced roles.

Summing up her work ethic, Gadot told W Magazine in 2016: “I feel like I’m just getting started…As an actress, I want to explore things that I haven’t done yet. I also want to keep on becoming a better actress and prove to myself that I can do it.”

The Verdict: Significant but Not Sole Impact

In evaluating Gadot’s dynamic career shift after Wonder Woman, the role clearly amplified her star power and platform immensely. She went from a supporting player known for action films to the face of one of the most famous female superheroes ever. It also expanded her acting range and opened new doors in Hollywood.

However, Gadot already possessed serious acting chops and charisma that shown through even in smaller parts. Her commanding yet compassionate take on Wonder Woman drew from her own confidence and values. So while the role elevated her tremendously, Gadot’s natural talent and work ethic were also major factors she had before this career-defining role came along.

As Gadot continues evolving her craft in upcoming films like Cleopatra and Death on the Nile, expect her to showcase even greater range. And through productions with her own company, she will expand strong female characters and stories. Wonder Woman gave Gadot invaluable visibility and creative freedom. But she remains committed to growth as an actress and influencer regardless of one iconic part.

Gadot herself explained