WTF Hollywood??? Why Casting Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman is a Horrible Idea
*WTF Hollywood??? will be a reoccurring feature on House of Geekery where I will sound off about ridiculous, inane, or shameful things that occur in the movie industry.
My passion for film runs deep, yet despite that, I try not to let things in the movie world bother me too much. It’s something I have zero control over anyway so why get worked up about it? Having said that, there are certain things that Hollywood pulls that just pisses me the Hell off. It could be an unwelcome sequel, a movie that’s been in Development Hell for too long, post converting a picture to 3D when it’s not necessary, or any of a number of things. Whatever the topic is, it’s always something that compels me to write about it.
This time it’s a casting choice.
News broke on Wednesday that Gal Gadot, of the Fast & Furious franchise, had been cast as Wonder Woman in Zack Snyder’s upcoming Batman Vs. Superman movie. This caused an explosion across the Nerdverse of supernova proportions. Everyone is weighing in on this topic.
And now so am I.
When I first heard that Ben Affleck had been cast as Batman I was more shocked than upset. In fact as I thought about it, I really wasn’t upset at all. People hated the Michael Keaton choice for Batman too and that turned out fine, so I’m willing to reserve judgement until I see the finished product. However, the same can’t be said of my reaction to Godot’s casting.
Look I won’t pretend that I’m a fan of Wonder Woman. Far from it. (Although I will admit I watched the television show starring Linda Carter back in the day.) Aside from that I never followed the comic books or was particularly interested in Wonder Woman’s storyline. In fact my interest in recent years only pertained to the possible inclusion of her character in the proposed Justice League movie.
Now is Gadot beautiful? Yes. Can she act? Yes. Is she right for the role of Wonder Woman? Absolutely not. The reason is very simple: she doesn’t physically fit the role at all.
I know what the women are probably thinking at this point, “Here comes the misogynist man who only cares about big breasts and a round posterior, blah blah blah.” It’s simply not true. (Well it’s partly true. I am after all a healthy thirty-five year old male and I won’t deny I enjoy the female form. I’m not a misogynist but I’m not dead either.)
Now far be it from me to judge a person’s body type. My physique is more akin to John Belushi than Matthew McConaughey, so I’ve got no room to talk. Having said that, Gal Gadot is too thin for this role. Wonder Woman is meant to be a voluptuous, full-figured Amazonian heroine who’s fiercely beautiful and intimidating. Gadot just doesn’t fit the bill. As I’ve said, this isn’t about wanting an actress to play Wonder Woman who possesses funbags the size of basketballs. This is about a trend that’s been perpetuated in Hollywood for far too long: that beauty solely belongs to the thin and waif-like.
You all know the image I’m talking about. We see them all the time in “Redbook” and “Vogue” and “Vanity Fair.” They may be pretty but they also possess ribs that could cut steel and look like they last had a carb circa 1992. Consequently Hollywood, and to a larger extent the media in general, perpetuates a standard of beauty that is virtually unattainable. The fact that this notion of the “ideal” female body type influences impressionable young girls, sickens me to no end. I live in a country (United States) where eating disorders run rampant, the majority of which affect women. Someday I’d like to have a daughter. If that ever happens, it’s my responsibility as a parent to ensure that she has a positive self-image and doesn’t get caught up in this nonsense.
For the life of me I can’t understand why Hollywood didn’t go in a different direction here. I have to believe that at least some execs were clamoring for a full figured actress to have the role. Unfortunately, because of this beauty ideology and a distinct lack of testicular fortitude, the role went to a woman who resembles Olive Oil. Maybe I would have been less upset if the pool of curvaceous women who can actually act was shallow, but that’s not the case. It’s not like the only option for producers was Katy Perry. I think actress Blake Lively could easily have played Wonder Woman. Not only does she possess the requisite figure, her acting chops are legit. Anyone who doesn’t believe that needs to check out The Town. Or why not Salma Hayek? She’s an Academy Award nominee, she looks the part, and casting a Latina would have been an inspired choice. Alas it was not be.
I don’t want this article to sound like an indictment of Gal Gadot. That’s not my intent. She’s a fine actress and I’m sure she’ll make the best of it. Hell she may end up even making me eat golden lasso with her performance a year and half from now. Anything is possible. Critics thought Heath Ledger wasn’t cut out for The Joker and that turned out to be a colossal error in judgement. No this isn’t an indictment of Gadot. It’s an indictment of a town and an industry that perpetuates a female body type that influences and damages young women’s self-image. And in the end that’s worse than any casting decision could ever possibly be.
agreed
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Unfortunately this is the introduction to Wonder Woman the new generation is going to see smh
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My theory on this casting, having thought about it for a while is that they wanted a talented woman who they could sculpt to what they want her to look like. Kind of what they did with Cavill, he had a more athletic body but they built on that with the bulk that Superman has.
She plays strong characters, and she’s got pretty good height about 5’10 i think. We’ll just have to see, trying to be optimistic because we have no choice in the matter and I want to like these films 😀
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^^AGREED^^
I have no problem with Godot being cast at all. The main/sole argument regarding her physical prowess can be considered a moot point since, as “leocravenauthor” references below, Gadot has time to bulk up physically for the role with physical trainers, an appropriate diet of certain foods and drinks, and combat/stunt training among other things (similar to how MANY OTHER actors both bulk up/gain weight or lose weight for certain film roles).
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First, I completely agree with everything you’ve said here. I’m just hoping (like Tim the Film Guy) that Gal’s personal trainers can bulk her up. Hell, if Nick Cage can do it (see “Con Air”) then maybe anyone can, lol!
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You lost me when you said Blake Lively would be better, and I’ve seen The Town many times
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Reblogged this on Tattoos and the TARDIS.
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More or less agree! She has the look just not the tone! nor can she really act!
http://lightthebeacon.wordpress.com
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I just wanna say I am another person who think this casting is horrible. Actually having Wonder Woman in this particular movie is a horrible idea. Superman & Batman should be able to carry this film by themselves. And if they omit a villain for her friggin character, I will hate this movie so much. Even though I was excited when I heard they were finally going to have Superman and Batman in the same movie. Just think about, please! 😦
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Btw, why I think it’s a horrible casting choice. Well, she’s a model not an actress. Being in a movie because you have an agent and are easy on the eyes does not make you an actress. Also, she’s like 5″10 100 something pounds. Not very amazon. That fact she’s Israeli is cool, I like the fact they can pick ppl from different cultures for something so big. But, I just don’t think she’s going to be a strong actress and does not fit the part. I don’t know who would, but there must be someone with a better resume? Think star power like the Avengers. But with acting ability. But really though, unnecessary character. Why are we even talking about Wonder Woman in a Superman Batman movie? Who the Frig cares? Why can’t she wait for the next film after? I wanna see Lex Luthor or some other cool villain. Not her. This is just upsetting me. I wish I didn’t like movies like this, then this news wouldn’t affect me so. But I am :p Oh gosh.
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She’s not drop dead gorgeous or full figured like Lynda Carter! Plain looking and no alluring qualities! Plus she’s got an irritating crooked smile! The woman, sorry to say is all wrong! So many other actresses who fit the bill 100% better and this is what we get for our new WW! The new costume is Xena warrior not WW! Why all the dark muted colors?! Oh that’s right cause we don’t wanna show the world that she’s rightfully fighting for America. Today’s superheroes have gone global to appeal to masses. How lame is that?! Considering that our beloved Superheroes have always been appealing around the world And the color scheme of their outfits have never been an issue! Now we live in this pathetic PC world where every single thing is questioned and offends everybody. It’s the U. S. A. If you don’t like our country,our flag, our way of life or the way our superheroes were intended to be. Then get out! But leave our superheroes alone!! I’m all about change and evolving but totally altering is another thing! Hate to sound all negative but there isn’t one thing positive about this new WW casting!!
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I just finished having this conversation with my friend. I’ve been a Wonder Woman fan since I was very little. She’s always intrigued me because she was a strong woman, but also because she was shapely. Much like the women that surrounded me in reali life. She was my role model in that sense. I’m not over weight, nor am I thin. I’m so sick of the entertainment industry casting these super skinny, unrealistic females in roles! Especially when the literature calls for something wholly different. Back in the 70’s they cast Carter & she was absolutely great for the role both looks & acting wise. I was so happy with Cavil as Superman, but the casting of Batman & my beloved Wonder Woman has completely put me off of the films. We, the fans are the ones that pay for these tickes & unfortunately non-comic book fans will be the ones to set the standards for these movies not the fans who started off as little girls with our noses in the pages of a comic book admiring their characters!
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https://goo.gl/images/jiaSxR
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Bwahahahahaaa….what a bunch of loser dweebs you are. Maybe by the time you die you’ll actually have contact with a real live human vagina.
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In all honesty I was dead wrong on her casting. Not too stubborn or proud to admit it.
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Maybe we need a follow-up…this is being shared!
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What? Really? Obviously I was very much wrong. Lol
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Second most read article today!
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I’m glad I was proven wrong. Now I can’t imagine anyone else doing it
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It seems to be a thing in internet geek culture that once you state an opinion you have to defend it to death, or alternatively you can be attacked for it indefinitely. The world would be nicer
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I mean I think the main point of my article was the standard of beauty and culture is obsessed with which are stick thin women and a standard most cannot live up to. Then you take the most well known female superhero, a fucking Amazonian who has repeatedly been depicted as voluptuous and pick a model turned actress. It pissed me off at the time
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It was valid. Turns out she was on point.
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Yup
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…world would be better if better were happy to admit when they’re wrong and everyone else let them do that.
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Glad to see a genuine, real-time, before and after reaction to this. Admitting that WW movie changed your mind after seeing it gives your opinion more weight and you as a writer more cred. Thanks for following up. BTW I’ve yet to see the movie (not out yet in Japan.)
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Gal Gadot looks bad ass in the wonder woman costume. Although she is thin, her height and the costume makes it work well. The perfect form would be more althletic and slightly thicker, but not more voluptuous.
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