11 Actresses Who Almost Played Wonder Woman

Kevin Polowy

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is one of the brightest spots in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a dark superhero spectacle critics and audiences are otherwise split on. Before the Israeli actress lassoed the role though, there was a lengthy list of other lovely ladies in the mix to finally bring Wonder Woman to the big screen (Friday Night Lights’ Adrianne Palicki got the closest, playing the Amazonian in a failed 2011 TV pilot). Here’s a look at those would-be Wonder Women (with the help of some fan-made art).

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Sandra Bullock

Wonder Women projects have been swirling around Hollywood since the mid-‘90s, when producer Joel Silver wooed the Blind Side Oscar winner for the role. Bullock also received the endorsement of original TV Wonder Woman Lynda Carter. (Giatrus-74/Deviant Art)

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Sarah Michelle Gellar

Eventual Marvel maestro Joss Whedon was signed to write and direct a Wonder Woman film in 2005, and his Buffy muse Sarah Michelle Gellar was said to be his top choice for the role. But her donning of Diana’s famous get-up at the 2002 MTV Movie Awards was the closest she’d get. (MTV)

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Charisma Carpenter

During the early stages of development on Whedon’s Wonder project, media pundits positioned the casting of the movie’s title role as a battle between Buffy stars Gellar and Carpenter. (methosivanhoe/ComicVine.com)

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Christina Hendricks

Also in the running for Whedon’s ill-fated franchise starter was the red-headed Mad Men alum, who said of the possibility of playing Wonder Woman: “I would do it in a heartbeat." (MustUsePowers.blogspot.com)

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Jessica Biel

Before he finally managed to get Mad Max: Fury Road off the ground, George Miller was set to direct Justice League of America in 2007. Biel was said to be "in talks” to play his main superheroine. (Skufius/Deviant Art)

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Megan Gale

That role eventually went to the lesser-known Australian actress Gale, however, judging from stunning test photos released of her in costume in 2015. Miller later cast Gale as one of Immortan Joe’s wives in Fury Road. (Marc Rogers)

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Olga Kurylenko

The one-time Bond girl (Quantum of Solace) was one of three actresses who reportedly screen-tested for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice along with eventual role-winner Gal Gadot and… (MasterDeaDmAn/Deviant Art)

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Elodie Yung

According to Variety, BvS’s casting description for Diana Prince was “tall, brunette, athletic and exotic.” The Cambodian-French Yung, who currently plays Elektra on Netflix’s Daredevil (and is seen here in Gods of Egypt), clearly fit the bill. (Lionsgate)

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Alexandra Daddario

It’s unclear if she was ever approached for the role, but the Percy Jackson star threw her hat in the ring in 2013 when she said she “would love to” play the Amazonian warrior. (Facebook)

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Katie Holmes

After getting a taste of DC Comics action in 2005’s Batman Begins, Holmes also stated her case. “I wanna be Wonder Woman,” she told Sirius XM in 2014. “I might need a tramp stamp.” (Editor’s note: Wait, is Diana Prince known for her tramp stamp?) (Getty Images)

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Megan Fox

Then, of course, there was the Transformers breakout, long considered a fan favorite for the role, and possibly the pioneer of the fan-made casting meme. Fox wasn’t having it, though. “Wonder Woman is a lame superhero,” the actress said in 2009, ending that campaign immediately. (FanPop.com)

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