In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gal Gadot reveals that, after a hitching a ride on the Fast And Furious franchise, she was up for two of the baddest roles in recent film history: Diana Prince and Furiosa. Obviously, she landed the former, making a delightful first impression in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (really the only delightful part about that movie) before starring in the DCEU’s first woman-led superhero movie. And with Wonder Woman 2 now set for a 2019 premiere, she’s got her own action-movie franchise.
But missing out on the chance to play Furiosa was a big “rejection” at the time, Gadot says, especially when she “had so many almosts for big, great things, but I was never big enough of a name.” Charlize Theron landed the co-lead role in Mad Max: Fury Road, and the rest is war boy-stomping, cinematic history. (Interestingly, if Gadot had played Furiosa, she would have been caught up in two ridiculous, MRA-led protests over a movie where women are the most interesting characters). And Theron’s since become Fast And Furious herself, thereby closing the circle, driver’s wheel, lasso, or what have you.
Gadot also reminisces about life before her acting career took off, including being plucked from obscurity to compete in the Miss Israel competition. The actress recalls meeting Donald Trump when she moved on to the Miss Universe pageant. “[Donald Trump] there … he shook our hands and introduced himself,” she says before noting that she “was dressed” at the time, unlike the five Miss Teen USA contestants who allege that the current president walked in on when they were in various states of undress.