Gal Gadot backs next Wonder Woman as she signals end of her decade-long run as 'Diana Prince'

Gal Gadot has voiced her support for the actor who will eventually succeed her as Wonder Woman, signalling that her decade-long association with one of DC’s most recognisable superheroes is drawing to a close as James Gunn and Peter Safran reshape the franchise. Gadot, who first appeared as Diana Prince in 2016, said she has had no specific discussions with Gunn or DC Studios about reprising Wonder Woman in the rebooted DC Universe or returning as another character.

Speaking while promoting her upcoming action thriller ‘The Runner’, Gadot said her last substantive conversation with the studio took place when a third ‘Wonder Woman’ film was being considered. She said she had not heard anything about the project since then.

Gadot wishes successor well

Rather than expressing disappointment over the uncertainty surrounding her future in the franchise, Gadot offered her support to whoever is eventually selected to inherit Wonder Woman’s famous armour and lasso. Calling Wonder Woman an extraordinary character who means a great deal to audiences, Gadot said she hoped the next actor chosen for the role would enjoy the experience of portraying Diana Prince.

“I wish for her that she enjoys this amazing ride with this amazing character,” Gadot said, adding that she remained grateful for having been given the opportunity to play Wonder Woman and represent the ideals associated with the character. Her comments come as DC Studios develops a new ‘Wonder Woman’ movie as part of the revamped DC Universe being overseen by Gunn and Safran. Screenwriter Ana Nogueira, who has also worked on DC’s ‘Supergirl’, is writing the project. No actor has officially been announced as the new Wonder Woman.

Speculation has recently centred on Adria Arjona as a possible candidate for the role, although neither DC Studios nor the actor has confirmed that she will play Diana Prince. Arjona is appearing in the upcoming DC film ‘Man of Tomorrow’, but details of her character have not been disclosed.

A decade as Wonder Woman

Gadot made her debut as Diana Prince opposite Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ in 2016. She subsequently headlined ‘Wonder Woman’ in 2017, a film that established her version of the character as one of the central figures of the previous DC cinematic universe.

She reprised the role in ‘Justice League’ the same year and returned for the standalone sequel ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ in 2020. Gadot also appeared in ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ and later made cameo appearances in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ and ‘The Flash’ in 2023.

Plans had once existed for a third standalone film featuring Gadot, but the project failed to move forward following the overhaul of DC Studios and the creation of a new interconnected universe under Gunn and Safran. The studio has since introduced David Corenswet as its new Superman and is gradually recasting or reimagining major characters from the previous DC era. Gadot’s comments stop short of a formal announcement that she will never return to DC, but her message to the next Wonder Woman indicates that she is prepared to pass on a character she has portrayed for around a decade.

For Gadot, the departure also closes one of the defining chapters of her career. For DC Studios, attention will now turn to who will next wear Wonder Woman’s boots as the character is introduced to a new generation of the franchise.