Gal Gadot is the epitome of strength in her role as Wonder Woman, but rather than build her character around physical endurance, she drew upon Princess Diana's compassion as inspiration for the part.
Speaking during a virtual awards season chat for Vanity Fair, the 35-year-old explained that both Princess Diana and "Wonder Woman," whose name happens to be Diana Prince, possessed qualities of compassion and caring. She realized this when watching a documentary about the late British royal.
"I remember watching a documentary about Princess Diana and there was a part where they said she was full of compassion and always cared for the people and that was like, 'Ding, ding, ding,’ that should be the Wonder Woman we have,'" Gadot said, according to AceShowbiz.com.
Gadot added that she wanted fans to see a character who was inspiring and relatable and it was from Princess Diana that she drew these qualities.
"How can you connect to a goddess that’s super strong and has it all and [is] super perfect?” Gadot said. "I wanted to show her vulnerabilities and heart."
The Israeli beauty has spoken before about how Diana inspired her portrayal of Wonder Woman, which was created by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter for DC Comics. In a 2017 interview, she drew similar comparisons between the two.
"I know one Diana was real and the other isn't, but Wonder Woman is such a great character because she works from the heart," Gadot said, according to Eye Witness News. "She only means well, and the fact she's so strong and mighty, and the most iconic warrior, doesn't take away her femininity."
She added that Wonder Woman was a great female role model.
"I think that's the strength of women; that we can be strong — I don't mean just physically, although physically as well -- but at the same time we can be connected to our emotions and be sincere and honest. This is our strength," Gadot said.
"I remember a quote from Princess Diana where she hit the nail on the head. She said she worked from the heart and not the head and I think that Wonder Woman, Diana Prince, is the same," she added, according to The Statesman.
Gadot first appeared as Wonder Woman in 2016 when she was cast in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." The following year she starred in the solo film "Wonder Woman" and then "Justice League" before reprising the character in 2020 for the sequel "Wonder Woman 1984."
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