In a world where we've seen about 20 different incarnations of Batman on the big screen in as many years, it's pretty shocking to learn that Wonder Woman has never once been featured in a full-length movie. In the 75 years since the character debuted in 1941, she's never appeared on film. Until now. Wonder Woman is finally making her film debut in Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice , with Fast & Furious actor Gal Gadot putting on the magic cuffs and using her golden lasso to fight alongside the Batman and Superman. Not only that, but Gadot will reprise the role in her very own, solo Wonder Woman movie.
The star's new Wonder Woman is sure to add to the onscreen legacy of the hero, who, despite not appearing in film, has been portrayed on television by many different actors. One look at Wonder Woman's TV history and it's clear that there hasn't really been a strong market for a live action version of the superhero in almost 40 years. Most of her onscreen appearances have been in animation form, and most of Wonder Woman's animated television appearances have been in shows like Justice League or Super Friends. The character has been voiced by multiple actors, and there are a few that have stood out. Here's a look back at the nine Wonder Woman actors who left their mark on the role.
1. Cathy Lee Crosby — Wonder Woman (1974)
Cathy Lee Crosby was the first on-air Wonder Woman, playing the superhero in a made for TV movie that aired in 1974. With her shiny blonde hair and full-body suit, Crosby's Wonder Woman debut was far from the Wonder Woman we know today, and it failed to really take off.
2. Lynda Carter — Wonder Woman (1975-1979)
Arguably the most iconic Wonder Woman there ever was, Lynda Carter played Diana Prince/Wonder Woman for four years on the popular television series, Wonder Woman. She's a big supporter of Wonder Woman, and has even given Gal Gadot her sign of approval.
3. Susan Eisenberg — Justice League (2001-2006)
Voice actor Susan Eisenberg played Wonder Woman for five seasons on Cartoon Network's animated series. Wonder Woman was one of the main characters, alongside Batman, The Flash, Clark Kent and the Green Lantern. Fun fact: Dakota Fanning voiced a young Wonder Woman in one episode.
4. Keri Russell — Wonder Woman (2009)
Keri Russell voiced Wonder Woman in the 2009 straight-to-video animated film about what happens when Wonder Woman's island is invaded by modern men, leading to the escape of a war god.
5. Rosario Dawson — Justice League: Throne Of Atlantis (2015)
After voicing Artemis in Wonder Woman (2009), Rosario Dawson took on the role herself in Justice League: Throne of Atlantis. The film focuses more on Aquaman (Matt Lanter) and his wife Mera (Sumalee Montano), who go to the Justice League or help after war breaks out in Atlantis and Metropolis. When she's not voicing Wonder Woman, Dawson is playing a key part in the Marvel universe with a regular role on Netflix's Daredevil.
6. Tamara Taylor — Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015)
Tamara Taylor (of Bones fame) voiced an alternate version of Wonder Woman known as Bekka in this alternate universe straight-to-video film.
7. Adrianne Palicki — Wonder Woman Pilot (2011)
Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights) played Wonder Woman in a failed television pilot in 2011. The pilot, made for NBC, had an immense amount of buzz, and yet never made it to air. Now the pilot is mostly remembered by the loud and critical reaction fans had to seeing that the proposed Wonder Woman costume included pants. (Which is dumb: if Superman can go back to wearing his underwear on the inside of his pants, then Wonder Woman should be able to wear pants. That's just logic.)
8. Cobie Smulders — The Lego Movie (2014)
How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders voiced Wonder Woman in The Lego Movie. This could theoretically be considered Wonder Woman's big screen debut, but considering the fact that she's playing a Lego version of the superhero (and the fact that she only appears briefly), it's mostly left out.
9. Gal Gadot — Batman v Superman (2016)
Finally, Gal Gadot is kicking off a new, non-animation version of Wonder Woman for modern audiences. She'll star in her own solo Wonder Woman movie in 2017.
There have been many different versions of Wonder Woman over the past 75 years, both on and off screen. Gadot is not the first woman to play Wonder Woman, and, hopefully (should the reboot trend continue) she won't be the last.
Images: Warner Bros.; Giphy (7)
