To mark the 12th anniversary of her casting, Gal Gadot has revealed her original Wonder Woman screen test with Ben Affleck. This rare look back at Gadot’s journey offers fans a glimpse into how the Gal Gadot Wonder Woman screen test came to life, setting in motion her significant role within the former DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
Initial Reactions and Breakthrough as Wonder Woman
When Gal Gadot was first chosen for the part of Wonder Woman, many fans expressed skepticism about her fit for the role. Despite doubts, her debut as Diana Prince in
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”
quickly turned her into a fan favorite. Building on this positive reception, Gadot starred in her own movie directed by Patty Jenkins, which drew acclaim and solidified her status as an essential figure in the superhero universe.
The standalone “Wonder Woman” film was not only well-received critically but also helped establish Gadot as a central presence within the DCEU. However, her increasing popularity as the Amazonian hero faced setbacks after the release of “Justice League” in 2017 and “Wonder Woman 1984.” Both films were met with harsh criticism, reflecting the challenges the DCEU began to face.
The Decline of Interest and Commemoration of a Milestone
Even with appearances in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” and “The Flash,” public interest in Gadot’s Wonder Woman gradually faded. Now, as her time as Diana Prince concludes, Gadot has taken to Instagram to share a part of her journey that fans had never seen before—a screen test shot with Ben Affleck that marked her earliest steps into the DC universe, and which has since been circulated by fans on X.
Reflecting on a Life-Changing Experience
“Twelve years ago today, I was cast as Wonder Woman. What a wild, life-changing ride with a character I love so much. I thought it would be fun to share my camera test with Ben — I watched it last night for…”
— Gal Gadot, Actress
The post includes footage initially provided to her by director Zack Snyder, letting her revisit that formative moment for the very first time. Along with the video, Gadot publicly thanked Snyder for his role in her casting and for sending her the screen test, expressing gratitude for her time as Diana Prince.
The Secretive Casting Process
Gadot’s journey to becoming Wonder Woman was far from straightforward. In a discussion with FilmInk in 2016, Gadot described an audition process filled with uncertainties. Warner Bros. requested she audition for an unspecified role—neither her agency nor the studio revealed she was up for Wonder Woman. Gadot undertook her first screen test with Batman actor Ben Affleck without knowing the identity of the character she would potentially portray.
“It all began when Warner [Bros.] wanted me to audition for something, but they wouldn’t tell me what. So I went along, and Zack was there. That went great, and two weeks later, they asked me to do a camera test with Ben [Affleck]. I said, ‘Great! What’s the role?’ My agent couldn’t tell me, but she said to expect a phone call from Zack [Snyder].”
— Gal Gadot, Actress
After this phase, Gadot received a personal call from Zack Snyder, who informed her of the coveted role she was auditioning for. This news was followed by weeks of uncertainty as she awaited the final decision from the studio, leading to a period of self-doubt and emotional turmoil before the official announcement came.
“He called me later that night, and he said, ‘I’m not sure if you have it in Israel, but did you ever hear about Wonder Woman?’ I think I literally died for a few seconds and then came back to life, and I tried to pull off my best voice saying, ‘Wonder Woman? Yeah, of course I’ve heard of Wonder Woman.’ Then I did the camera test with Ben, which was great. Then I waited seven weeks, and I went through the seven stages of grief! I got angry… it was terrible! But finally, seven weeks later, they called to tell me that I had the part, and that was it.”
— Gal Gadot, Actress
Zack Snyder’s Confidence in Gadot From the Start
Gadot’s first day on set in costume took place in July 2014, an experience documented by Zack Snyder using just his phone. Snyder later reflected that he knew as early as her initial audition in fall 2013 that Gadot was not only the right choice for his film, but also a Wonder Woman who could have global appeal. His pride in her portrayal was evident as he spoke of her embodying the character with “love and grace.”
“Gal’s first day on set in the costume July 2014, shot on my iPhone 6. I knew when I cast her back in the fall of 2013 she was not just my Wonder Woman, but a Wonder Woman for the world. So proud of how she’s embodied this character with love & grace. #WW84 @GalGadot @PattyJenks pic.twitter.com/oxOTz2WvwP”
— Zack Snyder, Director
Snyder highlighted that the casting effort was exhaustive and competitive. According to him, many actresses auditioned, with the studio narrowing down the vast pool to six finalists. Snyder credited Gadot’s unique combination of strength, kindness, and assertiveness as what distinguished her among other contenders.
“We tested a bunch of actresses, as you can imagine. I can’t even remember how many actresses we saw in terms of interviews, but for the final test, we tested six actresses. We interviewed and saw hundreds, so it was a pretty exhausting process. But the thing with Gal is that she’s strong, she’s beautiful, and she’s a kind person, which is interesting, but fierce at the same time. It’s that combination of being fierce but kind at the same time that we were looking for.”
— Zack Snyder, Director
Another factor that impressed Snyder was Gadot’s ability to share the screen and stand toe-to-toe with Ben Affleck during their test scenes—a sentiment echoed by Affleck himself. This dynamism not only reassured Snyder about her casting but also added a new dimension to the on-screen chemistry between Batman and Wonder Woman.
“She can get serious, but she’s amazingly fun to be around. And by the way, she really held her own with Ben [Affleck] in the screen test. Ben was like, ‘Whoa, that girl is something else!’ That was a good sign, because Ben is very tough in the scene, and he’s big and commanding. Anytime that you’re doing a test like that, and you’re looking at the other person, you’re thinking, ‘Okay, that’s good stuff.’ That was part of the process, and over time, as we got to know Gal, we found out how amazing she is.”
— Zack Snyder, Director
The Ongoing Impact of Wonder Woman and What Lies Ahead
While Gal Gadot’s run as Wonder Woman has come to an end, the screen test she shared with Ben Affleck provides a meaningful look at her beginnings as the iconic hero. The Gal Gadot Wonder Woman screen test stands as a testament both to her unexpected journey and to the effort that director Zack Snyder, Patty Jenkins, and numerous others contributed to bringing this version of Diana Prince to life.
For fans interested in revisiting her performances, both “Wonder Woman” and “Wonder Woman 1984” remain available for streaming on HBO Max. As the DCEU continues to evolve, Gadot’s portrayal—shaped by her initial, mysterious audition process and Snyder’s unwavering support—remains a highlight of the franchise’s legacy in global popular culture.
Gal Gadot shared her screen test with Ben Affleck for Batman v Superman:
"Twelve years ago today, I was cast as Wonder Woman. What a wild, life-changing ride with a character I love so much. I thought it would be fun to share my camera test with Ben — I watched it last night for… pic.twitter.com/m6YqCVsWew
— Zack Snyder Film (@ZackSnyderFilm) December 4, 2025
Gal's first day on set in the costume July 2014, shot on my iPhone 6. I knew when I cast her back in the fall of 2013 she was not just my Wonder Woman, but a Wonder Woman for the world. So proud of how she's embodied this character with love & grace. #WW84 @GalGadot @PattyJenks pic.twitter.com/oxOTz2WvwP
— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) December 17, 2020
