Gal Gadot opens up about Wonder Woman 3 cancellation, calling James Gunn's handling of Henry Cavill's Superman departure far from elegant.
The turbulent restructuring of DC Studios under new co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran continues to generate headlines. Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who debuted as the Amazonian warrior in Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) before starring in Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), has spoken candidly about the collapse of Wonder Woman 3. Front-loading her critique during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with host Josh Horowitz, Gadot revealed that while studio executives initially promised her a third standalone film, she was ultimately unceremoniously sidelined during the reboot of the comic book franchise.
What Did James Gunn and DC Studios Tell Gal Gadot About Wonder Woman 3?
During her podcast interview, Gal Gadot directly addressed the mixed messaging she received when James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed control of DC Studios. Despite later industry reports claiming no third film was planned, Gadot reiterated that studio leadership originally assured her that her version of Diana Prince would remain a core pillar of the new DC Universe.
- Initial Promises: Gadot stated that Gunn and Safran explicitly told her they were going to develop a third Wonder Woman film together with her starring.
- Contradictory Reports: Anonymous studio insiders later leaked to trade publications that no official promises had been made, creating widespread confusion among fans.
- Public Confusion: Gadot had previously shared similar details in 2023 press interviews, believing her place in the rebooted franchise was secure before plans were quietly abandoned.
Why Was Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 3 Canceled?
The collapse of the third installment began when director Patty Jenkins, who helmmed the first two box-office hits, submitted her script treatment for the sequel. Warner Bros. leadership rejected the creative direction, leading to the project being scrapped.
Although Jenkins publicly clarified that she had not walked away from the project on her own terms, she acknowledged that the massive structural overhaul at DC Studios made moving forward impossible.
What Did Gal Gadot Say About Henry Cavill's Superman Exit?
Reflecting on her departure, Gal Gadot emphasized that she was not shocked when her time in the armor ended. Having watched co-stars and creatives go through identical studio shifts, she criticized the lack of finesse in how the executive transitions were managed:
- Henry Cavill's Departure: Calling the recasting of Superman "not handled elegantly to say the least," Gadot pointed out how Cavill was encouraged to announce his return following his cameo in Black Adam (2022), only to be replaced by David Corenswet in James Gunn's Superman shortly after.
- Patty Jenkins' Treatment: Gadot similarly noted that the studio's communication with director Patty Jenkins lacked elegance.
- No Personal Grudges: Despite her criticism of executive management, Gadot stressed that she holds no bad blood toward Gunn or Safran, noting that everyone involved is an adult trying to pursue their creative vision.
Will Gal Gadot Ever Return as Wonder Woman?
Even if DC Studios were to offer her the golden Lasso of Truth again in the future, Gal Gadot indicated that her season as a leading superhero star has passed.
As a mother of four children navigating busy school schedules, Gadot explained that grueling multi-month filming schedules away from home no longer align with her family life. While DC Studios continues developing new Wonder Woman projects with screenwriter Ana Nogueira, Gadot expressed deep gratitude for her time as Diana Prince, describing herself as merely a grateful vessel for an iconic legendary character.