Gal Gadot, Patty Jenkins discuss ‘Wonder Woman’ feminism in a ‘man’s world’
Warner Bros.’ Wonder Woman may be paving the way for female superheroes. The upcoming movie is the first in a decade to feature a female lead, but how will Diana Prince react to becoming a role model and set the stage for future projects.
Actor Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins opened up about feminism in the movie and how the unconquerable warrior thinks of gender.
“I think there’s been a lag in catching up to where feminism has gone,” Jenkins explained in an interview with Total Film (via Heroic Hollywood). “It’s taken a long time before a woman who can fight can actually be treated like a universal character.”
Wonder Woman is one of the most popular superheroes in the world, but this is the first time that she will star in her own movie.
“People were like, ‘How can a woman fight? How can a woman be sexy and be violent at the same time?’” She added that it is time to stop worrying about that aspect of the character. “Many other universal female protagonists are showing up on screen where they’re the main character, not a ‘woman’ main character,” she said.
Gadot agrees and explained that the Amazonian warrior is taken aback by the unequal treatment of genders in “man’s world,” something that has already been featured in the trailers.
In one video, while trying dresses on with Steve Trevor’s (Chris Pine) secretary, Diana asks how women fight in such fluffy and ruffly clothing.
Going back to the interview, Gadot pointed out that the warrior came out of a society where everyone has the same rights. So, when she sees the world of Steve Trevor, she is confused as to why women do not get treated the same way as the men. “[F]or her, gender is a non-issue,” she added.
Neither Gadot nor Jenkins shuns the feminist label in their new movie. While they insist that Diana is a hero for everyone, they stated to The New York Times that the movie is, indeed, feminist.
Gadot explained that she and Jenkins figured out that the best way to present the true meaning of feminism is by having the superhero be unaware of social roles. Diana is not bound by gender boundaries and, to her, everyone, regardless of gender or class, is equal.
The film also stars Robin Wright, Danny Huston, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya, Ewen Bremner, Lucy Davis, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Eugene Brave Rock, Ewen Bremner, and Saïd Taghmaoui.
Wonder Woman opens in theaters on June 2nd.
