For those who don’t read his work, Lee Child has an extremely popular series of books centering on Jack Reacher, a 6’5, muscle-bound ex-MP badass who goes from adventure to adventure in the books, generally beating the holy hell out of bad people who deserve it. I’ve read a couple and can say the character kicks major ass. Who was cast when the movie came around, though? 5’6″ Tom Cruise.
The reactions to that bit of news? Some examples here, here, and here.
When Robert Rodriguez was making a sequel to Predator, he wanted to go back to the feel of the original with Arnold Schwarzenegger. So, who did he get to play the lead – an expert, grizzled soldier fighting in the jungle, similar to the Terminator himself? Adrien Brody from The Pianist.
Reactions? Here, here, and here.
And when Wil Smith, the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, was cast as Muhammed Ali?
Well, I’m sure someone had to wonder.
Those guys were all considered fine actors at the time but that didn’t stop people from asking if they were the best picks for their respective roles based almost exclusively on their size/shape. I think it becomes a more heated issue when the casting is for already established, action-orientated characters. Before a single shot of the movie has been filmed, people already have an idea of what the character should be (in their minds at least) and the actor (as well as the casting director) has to work against that.
But is that fair? Maybe, maybe not; but I don’t recall anyone asking that about any of these casting discussions/complaints at the time. It’s just part of the usual wheel-spinning of movie discussions on the web.
Now, I’m not saying there isn’t PERVASIVE sexism out there (especially in geek culture) but my reaction to Gal Gadot’s casting as Wonder Woman is the exact same as it was for these other casting decisions: I think she’s going to need to bulk up. And given the examples of everyone mentioned above, I’m sure she probably will. It’s what actors do.
And, again, chatting about this stuff makes the interwebs go round.
But is it sexist to comment on it when it involves a woman? Does it constitute “body-shaming” just to say that this person is going to have to work a bit to look like this person?
A pretty good article in Film School Rejects (one of my favorite movie sites) – seems to indicate “yes.” Along many other sites (including this one that inspired me to write this).
But I think there’s a line here.
Anyone saying Ms. Gadot isn’t “pretty,” “exotic,” or even “busty” enough? Sure, those people are idiots.
Anyone bringing her Jewish heritage into it? Terrible.
Anyone saying an actor seems a little small right now to be playing an Amazonian warrior princess, though? Well, I just don’t think that’s sexist. I think that’s people BS-ing about movies. What’s Wonder Woman supposed to look like? Who knows? “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin,” and all that. It’s just fun to argue about this kind of geeky stuff. And as long as we don’t veer off into the territory of shaming anyone, I think that’s fine. Because would it be sexist to say that she has the perfect build for it? That would still be commenting on her body, after all. The Jerusalem Post, who named Ms. Gadot “Person of the Year in Entertainment,” wrote that “it seems like a natural fit for” Zack Snyder, the director, “to choose a buff, IDF veteran to portray the fabled Amazonian princess warrior, and Gadot, the 2005 Miss Israel, certainly fits the bill.”
Were they in the wrong? Maybe; maybe not.
Again, there’s plenty of sexism out there (like, seriously). And the quotes that FSR brought up were atrocious and people should be ashamed of themselves. But just commenting on whether someone lives up to a role in your mind? That just seems the usual when someone is cast as a super human, man or woman – we just don’t see that person in the role yet. I mean, did anyone think Mr. Mom, Michael Keaton, was going to be able to pull off being Batman? (And, veering off topic, how sexist are some of those clips?!)
But anyway, Gadot is probably going to impress all the haters yet – because if Adrien Brody could do this, then I expect great things from a former soldier.
On a topic like Wonder Woman (or any topic, really), people should be able to voice their opinions as long as they aren’t crossing a line of simple civility. Wonder Woman can look like whatever people want, and that’s great – its just we may want different things. And once we’re all past the who, I’m sure we’ll all have arguments about the costume and whatnot (Cape? Armor? Leggings? Silver or Gold?). I just hope the writers come up with a clear, compelling Wonder Woman for Gadot to make the most out of… and hopefully beat the hell out of Snyder’s murdering Superman. But that’s a commentary for another day ;’)
Added later:
An interesting follow-up from Gadot, herself: http://www.themarysue.com/gal-gadot-first-ww-interview/
I share the original poster’s enthusiasm: Swords! ;’)
Geekery & Whatnot 
