‘Wonder Woman’ Star Gal Gadot On The Importance Of Strong Female Role Models

Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot has often been outspoken where her views on feminism are concerned. In particular, Ms. Gadot had been critical of how women are portrayed in Hollywood films, so it should come as no surprise that the Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice actress feels privileged to be bringing Wonder Woman to life for millions of growing boys and girls.

Wonder Woman‘s Gal Gadot Wants To Change Her Daughter’s View Of Princesses

Ms. Gadot says it’s important to provide positive role models for growing, impressionable boys and girls to look up to, but the actress confesses she often thinks closer to home, when she considers the messages Hollywood is sending. Specifically, Gal says her primary concern is for her 4-year-old daughter, Alma.

Gal says Alma has fixated on princesses in general. While the 4-year-old loves stories about princesses, she also sees them as weaker, often needing the prince to come and save her with a kiss.

“So I am so happy to be the one who is going to tell the Wonder Woman story,” Ms. Gadot says. “It is such an important story to tell. It is so important for girls and boys to have a female, strong, super hero to look up to.”

Ms. Gadot also said at a recent Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice press conference that the honor of playing Wonder Woman on the big screen was something she would never have expected for herself. Coming from the small Israeli town, where she was raised, Gadot says it had once seemed like an unattainable dream. She added that she feels very grateful for the opportunity, and really loves her budding career as an actress.

Ms. Gadot also admitted to feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the attention, surrounding her Wonder Woman role. While much of that attention has been positive, Gal says she has also received her share of spiteful and rude criticisms from online trolls. The Wonder Woman actress has a unique outlook on how those critics affect her life.

“For me being an actress, my responsibility is not to pay attention to all the noise around me and to pay attention to the script and the director and protect the character and try to tell her story the best I can,” Gal explained.

Wonder Woman Gal Gadot Reacts To News That Amber Heard Has Been Cast As Mera

Even before Gal heard the news that Amber would be taking on the role of Mera in both the first Justice League film and the stand alone Aquaman film, the Wonder Woman actress was very welcoming of any other actresses coming to the DC comics franchises. Speaking of the news that Amy Adams would be reprising her Lois Lane role for Batman v. Superman and future DC Entertainment films, Gadot said she felt there was plenty of room for more strong, female characters.

Now, as Gal learned of Heard’s Aquaman casting news, she seems overjoyed. In fact, Ms. Gadot said she was hopeful that she would get to work with both Adams and Heard, as well as any other actresses that might be cast in the franchises.

“I love working with women,” the Wonder Woman actress gushed. “I’m used to working with men most of the time and working with women is just so refreshing. I’m so happy about that, and I’m happy that Amber is going to be our new addition.”

Gal also expressed feeling excited over the prospect of reuniting with Dwayne Johnson for Shazam, another DC Entertainment franchise set to debut in 2019. Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot previously worked together on the Fast & Furious franchise.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice will hit theaters on Wednesday, March 23.

Wonder Woman, starring Gal Gadot, will hit theaters on June 22, 2017.

[Image by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images]