Two and a half years after James Gunn's initial plans for the DCU, the co-president of DC Studios has finally confirmed that a new Wonder Woman film is in the works. The movie will be part of his overall plans for the DCU, which connects to the upcoming Superman film and the previously announced prequel series Paradise Lost, which will explore the history of the Amazons before the birth of Wonder Woman. While there are no actual details about the DCU’s Wonder Woman, it seems safe to assume that Gal Gadot, who played Wonder Woman in the DCEU, will not reprise her role.
Ever since James Gunn and Peter Safran canceled Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 3, it has been all but confirmed that Gal Gadot would not reprise her role as the DC hero, despite the actress previously hinting that it was on the table. Characters from Gunn's past DC titles like The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker have been carried over into the DCU. Yet, the recasting of Superman and Jason Momoa potentially going from Aquaman to Lobo suggests that the DCU will need a new Wonder Woman. Gadot left some big shoes to fill, as her 2017 feature film was a box office smash hit and redefined the character for a new generation. Yet plenty of great actresses could play the DCU's Wonder Woman—one that could explore elements the previous film incarnation only hinted at.
Here are the top 10 actresses who should play Wonder Woman in the DCU.
10 Katherine Waterston
20th Century Fox
Katherine Waterston is no stranger to franchise films, appearing as Tina in the Fantastic Beasts films and as Daniels in Alien: Covenant. She broke out with her role in Inherent Vice and has proven to be one of the most talented actresses working today, with performances in Mid90s, Logan Lucky, and Babylon. Though Waterston might be a decade older than Corenswet’s Superman, the DCU might benefit from a more experienced Wonder Woman—one who could plausibly be paired with a parent-aged Batman.
Standing at 5'11", Waterston certainly has the height needed for Wonder Woman. Yet a key factor in Wonder Woman is her compassion and ability to express heartfelt emotion without any dialogue. Wonder Woman is both a warrior and a loving, caring activist who feels great joy, love, and pain. Waterston is an emotionally expressive actress whose face can convey stern, commanding power while also being emotionally vulnerable. The way Waterston's face swells with tears can be heartbreaking and could sell a more emotionally expressive Wonder Woman—one that would stand in contrast to the sometimes stiff performance Gal Gadot gave in films like Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.
9 Emma Mackey
20th Century Television
Emma Mackey previously tested for the role of Lois Lane in Superman. Even though she lost the role to Rachel Brosnahan, James Gunn likely has her on his radar for future roles. Mackey previously acted alongside the DCEU's Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot, in Death on the Nile, making her an oddly perfect fit to play the third part of DC's trinity. Mackey's other credits include the hit television show Sex Education and films like Barbie, and she will soon be seen as the lead in James L. Brooks' upcoming film Ella McCay.
Emma Mackey has striking features—ones that an audience could easily believe belong to a demigod. Though Mackey is often said to resemble Harley Quinn star Margot Robbie, their appearance together in Barbie dispelled how much they actually look alike. Mackey has recently been cast as the White Witch in Greta Gerwig's upcoming Narnia movie, signaling her continued career rise. She would fit right into the DCU's established track record of casting strong actors who are seemingly on the cusp of stardom—actors who grow into their DC roles rather than arriving as already-established big names.
8 Alexandra Daddario
AMC
It seems that since Alexandra Daddario played a Greek demigoddess in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief over 15 years ago, she has been a constant fixture on fan-casting sites for the role of Wonder Woman. While she might have lost the role the first time, the second time might be the charm. She’s also no stranger to the DC Universe, having voiced Lois Lane in the Tomorrowverse animated films like Superman: Man of Tomorrow and the Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy.
Daddario certainly has the right look for Wonder Woman, which is why she has remained a popular pick. Over the years, she has built an eclectic career and has often felt like an actress just shy of landing the perfect breakout role. With the DCU in need of a new Wonder Woman, the ideal opportunity might finally be within reach. Her commitments to Mayfair Witches could prevent her from taking on the role, but fans can still hope that, possibly, it could work out.
7 Laura Harrier
ABC
Laura Harrier is no stranger to the world of superheroes, having previously played Liz Allen in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Due to the complex nature of the Sony and Marvel Studios contract, it seems unlikely that Harrier will return as Liz in future MCU Spider-Man movies. That opens the door for her to join the DCU—and the former model turned actress would make a great Wonder Woman.
At 5 feet 9 inches, Harrier could easily step into the role of an Amazon. Her credits include the critically acclaimed BlacKkKlansman and the Netflix series Hollywood, in which she appeared alongside Superman star David Corenswet. She also recently had a recurring role on the popular ABC series Doctor Odyssey. Harrier seems to be just waiting for the right role to break out onto the A-list, and with her warm smile and years of modeling experience, she has more than what it takes to reimagine Wonder Woman.
6 Daisy Ridley
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Daisy Ridley might be one of the biggest names on this list—or at least one of the most well-known to audiences—given her previous role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Conventional wisdom might suggest casting an unknown actor for Wonder Woman, or at least one not so strongly tied to a pre-existing pop culture character. But Ridley is undoubtedly more than just Rey, and she’s not a pick that should be ignored.
She has shown her range in films like Murder on the Orient Express and Sometimes I Think About Dying. Ridley is no stranger to fight choreography, stunt work, or physically demanding roles, as seen in her Star Wars films and Young Woman and the Sea. With great screen charisma and the ability to convey both determination and compassion, Ridley has everything it takes to be the DCU's Wonder Woman. The question is whether her commitments to the new Star Wars film—currently delayed—would keep her from a long-term role like playing Wonder Woman in the DCU.
5 Melissa Barrera
Paramount Pictures
Melissa Barrera was unceremoniously fired from Scream VII due to her posts criticizing Israel's attacks on Palestine. Despite a vocal fan backlash to the firing, Skydance stood by their decision, scrapped their initial plans for Scream VII, and did not opt for fan service by bringing back many previously thought-dead characters. Barrera herself has moved on, taking on lead roles in horror films like Abigail and the horror-themed romantic comedy Your Monster. She even responded to fans’ desire to see her take on the role of Wonder Woman, saying:
"I think it’s nice because of what the character represents. I think whoever gets the role, I just hope that they can embody the essence of the character because I think that those movies, whether they're Marvel or DC, their reach is so big. And because those artists that get those roles will inevitably get a built-in fanbase and have the eyes and the ears of so many people, I think that it would be nice if they did something actually positive with the influence that they have to at least be a good example of the kind of human being that you wanna be in the world, instead of just using it for self-serving purposes."
Barrera clearly understands the responsibility of playing a character like Wonder Woman and the tremendous amount of good it can inspire. James Gunn previously revealed he cast David Corenswet as Superman because he embodied the character as much in person as he did in the audition. Given her resume and her willingness to speak out for those in need, Barrera embodies the ideals of Wonder Woman both on and off screen—and is more than qualified for the role.
4 Phillipa Soo
ABC
Phillipa Soo is best known for her role as Eliza Hamilton in the hit musical Hamilton. An accomplished Broadway star, Soo has also made a name for herself on screen in films like The Broken Hearts Gallery and The One and Only Ivan, as well as in television series like Dopesick and Doctor Odyssey. Doctor Odyssey, in particular, has elevated Soo to a new level of stardom—one the DCU would be wise to capitalize on.
Soo has many physical traits that would make her a great Wonder Woman, but those are merely superficial. The key factor that makes Soo such a compelling pick for the role is her theater background. Her stage experience gives her the ability to express the kind of big, passionate emotions that a hero like Wonder Woman embodies—from righteous fury in battle to the warmth and wisdom of a loving leader others look to for guidance. Soo lights up both the stage and screen, and casting a Tony-nominated star as Wonder Woman would bring the kind of pedigree and gravitas the DCU needs.
3 May Calamawy
Marvel Studios
May Calamawy is technically part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having played Layla El-Faouly / The Scarlet Scarab in Moon Knight. However, it appears the MCU has no current plans for her, as Moon Knight Season 2 is not happening, and she was not among the cast members announced for Avengers: Doomsday. With Calamawy’s role in Gladiator II all but cut to non-dialogue background scenes, it's hard not to get the feeling that the Egyptian-Palestinian actress may have been blacklisted for speaking out about the ongoing assault on Palestine.
That would be a tremendous shame—but the MCU's loss could be the DCU's gain. Calamawy has long been a fan-favorite pick to play Wonder Woman in the DCU, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does she have the right look, but she also has experience with superhero stunts and action scenes thanks to her time on Moon Knight. Calamawy has proven her acting strength, and her willingness to speak out on human rights issues shows that she embodies the real-life values Wonder Woman represents. She’d be a powerful choice to wield the Lasso of Truth.
2 Katy O'Brian
A24
One criticism of Gal Gadot when she was first cast as Wonder Woman was that she didn’t have the muscular build many comic fans associate with the character. While Gadot's Wonder Woman eventually developed a respectably athletic physique, the DCU could distinguish itself by introducing a more physically imposing Wonder Woman—one who still embodies the character’s defining femininity. Enter Katy O’Brian.
Katy O’Brian’s breakout role came in the critically acclaimed Love Lies Bleeding, where she showcased both the commanding power of her physique and an emotional depth that arguably earned her an unfair snub by the Academy Awards. O’Brian is a true screen presence—so much so that her brief role in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning stands out, with audiences fully believing she could hold down Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt with one hand.
Like May Calamawy and Laura Harrier, O’Brian is another talented actress seemingly underutilized by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having previously appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. With the physicality needed to portray a demigod warrior and the acting chops to carry a major franchise, O’Brian is more than ready for the spotlight of a leading role—and could redefine Wonder Woman for a new generation.
1 Adria Arjona
Disney+
Ever since it became clear that Gal Gadot would not return as Wonder Woman, one name has quickly risen to the top of many fan-casting lists: Adria Arjona. Part of this buzz stems from her connection to James Gunn, having previously appeared in The Belko Experiment, which Gunn produced. Arjona is also dating actor Jason Momoa, who played Aquaman in the DCEU and is now set to portray Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. But none of that should overshadow Arjona’s genuine talent as an actress—she has shown remarkable range in recent years.
From playing Bix in Andor to Madison in the dark romantic comedy Hit Man, and delivering a powerful performance as María in Los Frikis, Arjona has built an impressive résumé of standout roles over the past three years. She can embody emotionally complex, conflicted characters like in Andor, while also being free-spirited, romantic, and effortlessly charismatic in Hit Man. These are all facets essential to playing a fully realized Wonder Woman. Looking at Arjona’s past work, it feels like her career has been building toward this role. Casting Wonder Woman is no easy task—but if the news broke tomorrow that Arjona had officially landed the part, it’s safe to say most fans would be thrilled.
