Wonder Woman 3 or Not, Gal Gadot Was the Best Thing to Come Out of the DCU
The DC Universe has finally been established, with James Gunn spearheading most of the creative processes from here on. But for all of the possibilities for growth, there are also moments when things may have to be lessened or scrapped entirely. A great example of this is the recent news that Wonder Woman 3 is no longer in development. So, for now, it’s unclear if this is the end of one franchise or the start of another. But most intimidating is the possibility that audiences may not see Gal Gadot return as Wonder Woman for some time, if ever again.
Since she first appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gadot’s Wonder Woman has become an icon to the world. Her presence alone has stood for many ideals about freedom and individuality and especially served as inspiration for women worldwide to march to their own beat no matter what. While her most recent film outing didn’t get as much praise as the first Wonder Woman, there’s no denying that when it comes to consistency and impact, Gal Gadot’s Diana Prince has maintained herself as the best thing that came out of the DCU.
Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman Showcased the Strength of a Warrior
Gal Gadot showed audiences a wide range of emotions and directions that captured the journey of Diana Prince. But some of her most prominent moments involved her strength as a warrior. In a physical sense, she always stole the show with her aggressive fighting skills and quick thinking with her weapons and agility. Coupled with her strength, seeing her fight was a treat. Some of her biggest moments have included her initial entrance in the fight against Doomsday, her decapitation of Steppenwolf in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and the iconic trench sequence from Wonder Woman. Her strength has always been a part of her character, and Gadot perfectly showcased her brave warrior spirit.
As time progressed, Wonder Woman showed that some of her most important moments as a warrior had nothing to do with hitting the hardest or defeating an enemy the fastest. Instead, it was more so about knowing when not to punch. Wonder Woman 1984 perfectly showcased this at the start and end of the film as she was introduced to the audience saving people in a mall from armed robbers. While there was danger, her actions showed that this was just another day for her, and she brought the fun and levity of superheroism that wasn’t seen since Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie. She later used her heart and faith in humanity to defeat Maxwell Lord and proved that cool heads prevail, just as Christopher Reeve had done when he was Supes. Doing so also proved that kids got their own Reeve-style Superman in the form of a powerful female hero.
Gal Gadot Distinguished Wonder Woman in an Oversaturated Medium
Comic book films have blown up to massive proportions thanks to the impact of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As a result, no matter how many movies are released, it’s hard to get recognized and stand out. This is especially obvious for films based on DC characters, as few can escape the shadow of Batman. That said, Gadot’s Wonder Woman did so nearly overnight. Before her, the trinity was always missing the Amazonian hero, but now, she’s potentially the most prominent in the modern eye. Plus, as the medium grows even more saturated, Gadot and her role have managed to maintain their place in fans’ hearts, even with only a handful of appearances under her belt.
The future may not be clear for Gal Gadot and her time as Wonder Woman. This could very well be the start of a long hiatus until Gadot returns as a new iteration of the character similar to Cavill’s Superman. However, if it turns out that Gadot’s Wonder Woman may never return, she won’t be forgotten as she was not only an icon but also the best thing to have come out of the early years of the DCU.
The post Wonder Woman 3 or Not, Gal Gadot Was the Best Thing to Come Out of the DCU was originally published on CBR.
