Despite the fact that Wonder Woman wasn’t nominated in any categories for the 90th Academy Awards, Gal Gadot still happily obliged when she was asked to present an Oscar at the event. And as expected, the star’s arrival did not disappoint. She stole the show in a silver 1920s Givenchy gown accented by a geometrical Tiffany & Co. piece that echoed the era’s obsession with Art Deco. Vogue reports that the gorgeous asymmetrical necklace dubbed “Blue Ice” was handcrafted in the famous Fifth Avenue workshop and is part of the brand’s Blue Book collection. As if Gal Gadot needed any more Oscar-related attention – months prior to the Oscars, the industry was buzzing with talk of why Wonder Woman wasn’t nominated for any Academy Awards.
It’s a question that has stirred up a lot of controversy and debate in the past year. Wonder Woman is certainly not the first time that a strong female lead took to the silver screen. However, it is the first time that we’ve seen a major female superhero idolized and given as much reverence (and blockbuster success) as her male counterparts. Directed by Patty Jenkins, the movie was hailed as a feminist film, a crucial label especially considering how the emancipatory #MeToo movement has recently been gaining traction in Hollywood. We’ve reported here at Next Column on how last season’s Golden Globes and Oscars reflected the movement.
On the other hand, some critics have argued the opposite – that Wonder Woman is actually a step back for feminism. Lina Abirafeh writing for The Conversation stated: “Rather than represent, real women, Wonder Woman satisfies the societal image of the ideal woman… How many actual women or girls around the world can live up to Wonder Woman as a role model? Would we even want them to?”
Whichever side of the debate you’re on, there’s no denying that Gal Gadot has made her mark in Hollywood. Along with Patty Jenkins, she’s become a household name. Her Oscar appearance despite her film garnering zero nominations says a lot about her willingness to engage and work with the Academy. So, could Gal Gadot be considered for an Academy award in the future? It’s very possible.
While many argue that her portrayal of the titular heroine is nothing to write home about, it does give Gal Gadot some experience in being an A-lister. Working on a highly influential production of this scale opens her up to new roles in which she can further explore her talents, possibly enough to garner a nomination in the future.
Furthermore, Wonder Woman’s blockbuster success has inspired many companies to follow suit and put women heroes in the foreground of their products. This shift can even be seen in industries that are usually aimed at male target audiences. Slingo offers various digital slot games with strong female characters including Amazon Queen, The Sand Princess, Legend of the White Snake Lady, and Agent Jane Blonde. The female leads all share the same characteristics as Wonder Woman: strong, confident, and ready to take on the world. Following on from the cultural impact of the film, Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio behind the movie, has even recently announced a Wonder Woman sequel, slated for release in November 2019.
Given the film’s already massive influence on pop culture as a whole as well as how it has catapulted Gal Gadot into stardom, an Oscar win may very well be in the actress’ future.
