Dear Hollywood: Any chance we could get a female superhero who doesn't have to prove her value by constantly undressing for the camera? It's okay if she's seen as sexy, because, hey, being strong and badass and competent at kicking supervillain butt is sexy. Does she have to pose in her skivvies on top of it?
We're just wondering because, well, that's exactly what the new Wonder Woman, actress Gal Gadot, has done. The former Miss Israel and star of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has stripped down to lingerie for a less-than-subtly sexy shoot in the latest issue of Interview. So typical.
Ironically, the accompanying interview finds Gadot fielding questions about her role as an "emblem of cinematic feminism." She speaks about wanting to "show the stronger side of women," and about portraying Wonder Woman as a weapons expert. She herself even served in the Israeli army.
"I've never experienced a bad situation with men being sexist with me," the actress adds. But, isn't being compelled to appear nearly naked to promote your totally fierce character reflective of how you're being positioned in our sexist, male-gaze-obsessed culture? Or will we all be treated to racy shoots featuring Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck any day now, just to keep things even?
Wonder Woman may be helmed by a female director and carry a message of female empowerment, but we could do without the cliche sexpot spreads.
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