DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran recently praised Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman portrayal as “great,” highlighting her strong fit with the character during her time in the DCEU. Since debuting in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gadot appeared in multiple projects, culminating in a cameo in 2023’s The Flash, though her future in the role remains uncertain amid major franchise changes.
Gal Gadot’s portrayal of Wonder Woman began with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where she helped the titular heroes battle Doomsday. Following this, she starred in two standalone Wonder Woman films and made appearances in other DCEU entries, cementing her status as the Amazonian warrior. Although her era concluded recently, Safran acknowledged her performance as exceptional, especially at a time when the DC Universe is shifting gears. Her impact is a testament to her fit within the franchise’s broader vision.
Peter Safran Highlights Gadot’s Exceptional Fit as Wonder Woman
In a discussion with Comic Book Resources about new castings within the DC Universe, Safran emphasized the importance of finding the right actor-character match. He cited Gal Gadot’s role as Wonder Woman alongside Jason Momoa’s Aquaman as examples of “perfect fits.” According to Safran, these alignments ease the storytelling process and resonate authentically with audiences.
“We talk about this all the time. With all these movies, if you can get the perfect fit of actor and character… like, (Jason) Momoa was awesome as Aquaman. And Gal (Gadot) was great as Wonder Woman. If you can get that fit, it makes your life a lot easier. And she fit the character as written by Tom King, and as adapted by Ana Nogueira. She just was that character. It was kind of incredible.” – Peter Safran, DC Studios co-CEO
Safran expanded on the emotional connection the studio felt with casting new talent, recalling how they were moved to tears during Milly Alcock’s screen test for Supergirl due to the actress’ compelling audition. This highlights DC Studios’ dedication to selecting the right actors to carry its characters forward.
“We brought her in for a screen test with one other actor, and in her audition, we cried. We literally cried at her screen test while we were shooting because it was such a beautiful scene that she was doing. Really emotional. And it was just so obviously her. It was one of those perfect fits.” – Peter Safran, DC Studios co-CEO
Gadot’s Legacy and Changes to Wonder Woman’s Future
Fans and critics alike have celebrated Gadot’s seven-year run as Wonder Woman, noting her ability to embody the character’s strength and compassion. Initially, a Wonder Woman 3 film with Gadot and director Patty Jenkins was planned in the original DCEU storyline, but the project was eventually canceled amid strategic shifts within DC Studios.
As the franchise embarks on a new chapter under the DCU banner, a fresh interpretation of Wonder Woman is being developed. This updated incarnation is set to join forces with actors like David Corenswet as Superman and Milly Alcock as Supergirl, signaling a reboot that distances itself from the prior continuity associated with Gadot.
Prospects for Gal Gadot in the New DC Universe
Although Gadot’s return as Wonder Woman in the revamped DC Universe is unlikely, the possibility remains that she might reappear in a different role, similar to how Jason Momoa transitioned to playing Lobo. Given DC’s extensive character roster, such a move could offer Gadot new opportunities within the franchise.
James Gunn, who is overseeing the DCU’s creative direction, has expressed openness about bringing back DCEU actors in suitable new roles, leaving room for potential returns if the right opportunity arises. Safran noted that maintaining a single consistent Wonder Woman is important to avoid audience confusion, which explains the choice to recast the character rather than retain Gadot.
Looking toward the future, a potential return by Gadot might come via multiverse storylines, such as Crisis on Infinite Earths, allowing her to portray an alternate version of Wonder Woman. This approach would honor her legacy while integrating her into the evolving DC narrative.
