Gal Gadot is finally opening up about why she walked away from Wonder Woman, and her explanation reveals a much more complicated story than simply being told DC was ready to replace her. According to Gadot, she was initially told that a third Wonder Woman movie could be developed with her, but watching what happened to other major figures from the previous DC era changed how she viewed her own future.
While promoting her new action thriller The Runner on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gadot reflected on her exit as Diana Prince, the departures of Henry Cavill and Patty Jenkins, and the difficult transition from the former DC Extended Universe to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe. Her comments also make one thing clear: despite leaving behind one of Hollywood’s biggest superhero roles, Gadot does not appear bitter or possessive about whoever eventually wears Wonder Woman’s iconic boots next.
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Gal Gadot Says DC Wanted to Develop Wonder Woman 3 With Her
One of the biggest revelations from Gadot’s interview is that she was not simply called into a room and told that Wonder Woman was being recast.
When Josh Horowitz asked whether there was a specific moment when James Gunn, Peter Safran, or another DC executive informed her that the studio was moving in another direction, Gadot said that was not what happened.
“No, they told me the opposite. They were like, ‘We’re going to develop it with you, the third [movie].’ But I saw the way everybody else [was] handled. … The Henry [Cavill] situation [has] not been handled elegantly, to say the least. Same with [Patty]. I feel like, you know, we’re all adults, and it’s all good. And it’s not even about them. [The DC execs] are there, and they’re there to do what they believe in, and it’s all good.”
That distinction changes the entire conversation around Gadot’s Wonder Woman exit. Her comments suggest that stepping away was a personal decision influenced by what she watched happening around her, rather than a straightforward announcement from DC that she was being replaced.
Gadot had been one of the defining faces of the previous DC film universe for years. She first appeared as Diana Prince in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice before leading 2017’s Wonder Woman. She later returned for Justice League and Wonder Woman 1984, while also making brief or uncredited appearances in later DC films.
| Name | Major DC Connection | Key Development |
| Gal Gadot | Wonder Woman / Diana Prince | Initially told DC wanted to develop a third film with her |
| Henry Cavill | Superman | Returned in Black Adam before being replaced in the new DCU |
| Patty Jenkins | Director of Wonder Woman films | Also cited by Gadot when discussing the transition |
| David Corenswet | New DCU Superman | Took over the role in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new continuity |
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Henry Cavill’s Superman Exit Became a Major Part of Gal Gadot’s Decision
Gadot’s comments about Henry Cavill point back to one of the messiest moments in DC’s transition into a new era.
Cavill returned as Superman in a post-credits appearance in 2022’s Black Adam, creating widespread expectations that he would continue playing the character. At the same time, Gunn and Safran were building a new interconnected DC Universe, with Gunn writing a new Superman movie that would ultimately feature David Corenswet instead of Cavill.
Gunn later explained that the timing created an awkward situation. Cavill’s return had been publicly announced around the same period that Gunn’s deal to take over DC Studios was being finalized, while plans were already moving toward a new Superman movie without him. Gunn ultimately had to tell Cavill that he would not be returning.
Gadot summed up her feelings about the situation bluntly:
“The Henry situation was not being handled elegantly, to say the least.”
She also connected Cavill’s experience to Patty Jenkins, who directed both Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984.
“Same with Patty [Jenkins], was not handled elegantly.”
Still, Gadot made it clear that she was not turning the situation into an ongoing feud with Gunn or Safran.
“I feel like, you know, we’re all adults, and it’s all good. And it’s not even about them. They are there, and they’re there to do what they believe in, and it’s all good.”
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Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman Goodbye Is About Gratitude, Not Bitterness
Despite her disappointment with how parts of the transition unfolded, Gadot’s overall message about Wonder Woman was surprisingly warm.
She said she remains grateful for the opportunity to play Diana and for the massive connection audiences formed with the character. More importantly, Gadot emphasized that she never believed Wonder Woman belonged to her personally.
“I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to wear these boots, and to have the character be so celebrated and be the vessel at that point of time.”
She then turned her attention toward the actress who will eventually inherit the role, even though no successor has officially been announced.
“And I can only wish for whoever one it’s going to be to really, you know, come pure to this journey.”
For Gadot, Wonder Woman represents something much bigger than another superhero franchise.
“Because as much as it’s like we’re talking about movies and superheroes and blah blah blah, but this character really means so much to so many of us. To really use it respectfully and bring all the love and light it can to this world. and then enjoy the ride.”
Her final reflection may be the clearest explanation of how she sees the end of her time as Diana Prince:
“It was never mine. I was always just a vessel.”
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Who Will Play the Next Wonder Woman in James Gunn’s DC Universe?
That now leaves one huge question hanging over the future of DC: who will become the next live-action Wonder Woman?
Gadot has confirmed that she has not had recent specific discussions with DC Studios about returning as Diana. Her last significant conversation with the studio involved developing a third Wonder Woman movie, but there is currently no indication that she will reprise the role in the new DC continuity.
Online speculation has linked several actresses to the role, including Adria Arjona. However, her role in the upcoming Man of Tomorrow has not been officially disclosed, meaning claims that she has been cast as the next Wonder Woman remain speculation rather than confirmation.
What is confirmed is that DC Studios is continuing to build its new shared universe under Gunn and Safran. The new continuity began with Superman, starring David Corenswet, and has continued with projects including Supergirl.
That shift means Gadot’s Diana Prince is increasingly becoming part of DC’s previous era rather than the future of the franchise.
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Wonder Woman’s DC Legacy Is Now Entering a New Era
Gadot’s comments arrive at a major turning point for DC. Her portrayal of Wonder Woman became one of the defining performances of the previous cinematic universe, while the 2017 film marked a major moment for the character on the big screen.
Now, Gunn and Safran are rebuilding DC around a new continuity and a new generation of actors. That transition has already seen Corenswet take over Superman from Cavill, while other characters from the previous era are being reconsidered or recast.
But Gadot does not appear to be campaigning for her return. Instead, she seems ready to pass the role forward.
Her message suggests that she views her years as Diana Prince not as something she owned permanently, but as an opportunity to carry an important character to audiences during a particular moment in time. And while the identity of the next Wonder Woman remains one of the biggest mysteries surrounding DC’s future, Gadot’s goodbye makes one thing unmistakably clear: she is leaving with gratitude, even while acknowledging that the road to DC’s new era was not always handled elegantly.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on thorough research from publicly available information and statements reported or made available as of August 31, 2026, including reporting from TheWrap, Gal Gadot’s appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, and official information from DC regarding Superman and Wonder Woman. Speculation surrounding the identity of the next Wonder Woman has not been presented as confirmed casting.
Sources
- TheWrap — Gal Gadot Explains Her Wonder Woman Exit — Primary reporting on Gadot’s comments about Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill and Patty Jenkins.
- Happy Sad Confused — Gal Gadot episode — Original podcast episode featuring Gadot’s interview with Josh Horowitz.
- DC — Superman (2025) — Official DC information confirming David Corenswet’s Superman and the new DC Universe.
- DC — Wonder Woman (2017) — Official DC information on Gadot’s original Wonder Woman film.
Featured Image Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
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