Report: Israeli Actress Gal Gadot Tipped for Hollywood’s ‘Wonder Woman’ Role in 2015 Batman-Superman Film
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by Joshua Levitt
Israeli actress and model Gal Gadot, as featured on her Facebook account. Photo: Screenshot.
Female crime fighters on the big screen should watch out, as IDF combat-trained actress Gal Gadot is atop a short list to play ‘Wonder Woman’ in a 2015 ‘Justice League’ reunion film being planned to star Ben Affleck, as Batman, and Henry Cavill, as Superman, Variety reported.
After the quick jump from Miss Israel 2004 to star of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, Gadot, 28, 5’9″, is up for the role against Elodie Yung and Olga Kurylenko, the report adds. The casting description is for “tall, brunette, athletic and exotic,” Variety said. Directed by ‘Man of Steel‘ filmmaker Zack Snyder, the Batman-Superman feature opens worldwide on July 17, 2015.
Industry insiders are already betting on the Israeli. At BroadwayWorld, which covered the Variety exclusive, J. Evert Jones, a “top commenter” from Vendor Direct Solutions, wrote in: “Don’t sleep on Gal Gadot – גל גדות!” referring to the entertainment industry refrain of “I’ll sleep on it, and maybe decide tomorrow,” and miss the opportunity.
“She would be to Wonder Woman what Christopher Reeve was to Superman,” Jones said emphatically, referring to the Hollywood action movie ideal, when one actor becomes inseparable from a famous role, which helps in financing subsequent installments.
For Gadot, who auditioned for a role in 2008 James Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace,’ the chance to join a superhero blockbuster could boost her Hollywood star, especially as ‘Fast and Furious’ has already completed its sixth installment.
In an interview with The Algemeiner in May, Gadot spoke about how she felt representing Israel in Hollywood, “When it comes to Israel there is a lot of misconception. Some people still think that the Israelis ride around on camels. It is important for me to show Israel on its true side as a positive, pluralistic country. Israel is full of interesting culture and liberal people. Israel is a beautiful place with lots of heart and meaning. I am proud to call it my home.”
Gadot lives in Neve Tzedek and is married to an Israeli-Dutch hotelier named Yaron Varsano. Beside Hollywood features, she’s the celebrity spokeswoman for Israeli clothing brand Castro and Vine Vera skin care products.
In the interview, she said, “I have much love for Israel. It is a place that warms my heart, it is my home. However, I don’t feel like I represent Israel in Hollywood, I represent myself. I am not an Israeli ambassador yet.”
Being cast as Wonder Woman would put her in that spotlight, as a role model to millions, but she said her Jewish identify is strong.
“To me the Jewish identity means family, the holidays, the traditions, and home,” she told The Algemeiner.
