Actress Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman, expresses her desire to be a positive influence on young girls, particularly for the sake of her own daughter. As a mother to a four-year-old girl, Gadot reflects on her portrayal of Wonder Woman in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice and the responsibility that comes with such an iconic character.

She believes that the role offers an opportunity to shape the role models that the next generation of girls and boys will look up to. Gadot’s commitment to this cause is further evident as she is set to participate in the celebration where Wonder Woman will be honored as a UN Ambassador for Women and Girls, coinciding with the character’s 75th anniversary since its introduction by DC Comics.

Gadot’s rise to fame in Hollywood, starting with her involvement in the Fast and the Furious franchise, and her current role in the spy comedy Keeping Up With the Joneses, alongside actors like Jon Hamm and Isla Fisher, have solidified her prominence in the industry. Furthermore, she is eagerly anticipating the release of her first standalone film as Wonder Woman in the summer of 2017.

Gal Gadot, acknowledging the impact of director Patty Jenkins, who previously directed the acclaimed film Monster in 2003, believes that Wonder Woman represents a significant moment in history, where women can embrace their true selves without limitations. She emphasizes that women possess strength that is on par with men, albeit in different ways, and that this realization is now widely accepted. Gadot appreciates that Wonder Woman’s strength is portrayed authentically without conforming to masculine standards.

In addition, Gadot has addressed the potential bisexuality of the character. This discussion arose when Greg Rucka, a long-standing writer of Wonder Woman, suggested that the superhero could have had romantic relationships with women, given her origin from a female-only island. However, Gadot clarifies that the new Wonder Woman film does not explicitly explore bisexual relationships.

Gadot’s current project, Keeping Up With the Joneses, directed by Greg Mottola, known for his work on Superbad, marks her venture into the comedy genre. The film follows Gadot and Jon Hamm as a seemingly perfect couple in a suburban setting, captivating their ordinary neighbors until they become entangled in a world of espionage.

Nevertheless, Gadot’s character Natalie in the film Keeping Up with the Joneses is portrayed as more formidable and intimidating than her husband, Tim. Gadot explains that Natalie, being a former Mossad agent, exudes dominance and prefers things to go according to her own plans.

However, in real life, Gadot strongly opposes the idea of pitting men against women and believes that this should not be the purpose of a female superhero on screen either. She emphasizes that it is no longer a matter of women being superior or stronger than men, but rather that there is enough space for everyone to thrive. Gadot encourages both boys and girls, men and women, to remember this and highlights that Wonder Woman’s fundamental principle is a belief in goodness and the desire for people to find happiness.

Jon Hamm, best-known for his Emmy-award winning portrayal of advertising executive Don Draper in the less female-friendly environment of 1960s Manhattan, says he’s glad to see movies “moving away from this binary idea girls will do one thing and men do another”.

“I personally find it nice to see a female superhero whose power isn’t about being a homemaker. It’s nice to move that conversation forward, and take gender politics out of the equation.”