Wonder villain

Gal Gadot welcomes Kristen Wiig to ‘Wonder Woman’ sequel

‘SNL’ veteran cast in role of villain Cheetah in film, meant to debut in late 2019; Israeli actress ‘excited’ about new costar

Gal Gadot in a scene from the movie 'Wonder Woman' (Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)
Gal Gadot in a scene from the movie 'Wonder Woman' (Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)

Gal Gadot on Friday welcomed her newly announced costar in the upcoming “Wonder Woman” movie, Kristen Wiig, who will play the villain Cheetah in the highly anticipated sequel to the Hollywood blockbuster starring the Israeli actress.

Wiig, 44, known from comical roles in “Saturday Night Live” and films that include “Bridesmaids,” “Ghostbusters” and “The Martian,” was confirmed by director Patty Jenkins after rumors started circulating earlier last week.

“So excited to confirm the most thrilling news,” Jenkins wrote on Twitter. “Yes! It’s true! So incredibly lucky to welcome the sensationally talented Kristen Wiig to our Wonder Woman family. Can’t wait to finally work with one of my favorites. And SO excited by what we have planned.”

Gadot, 32, who is already on board to star in the sequel to the last summer’s smash movie, welcomed Wiig on board shortly afterwards.

“I’m SO excited welcome on board Kristen! This is going to be WONDERful!” she posted on Twitter.

In the DC Comics world, Cheetah is a feline-esque adversary to the protagonist Wonder Woman. Wiig will portray the character in its cinematic debut, which is slated to hit theaters on November 1, 2019.

With “Wonder Woman” grossing over $800 million worldwide, both Gadot and Jenkins, who each only had a one-movie deal, had the upper hand in negotiations for the next installment of the story of the Amazonian princess.

Kristen Wiig arrives at the 9th annual Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom on November 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

There is little doubt that the film wouldn’t have achieved such instantaneous blockbuster status without Gadot’s on-camera charisma, and she’s as celebrated abroad as she is at home — where she is touted as one of Israel’s best exports.

Critics and audiences (except, perhaps, in Lebanon and Jordan) have enthused about the 32-year-old mother of two, who has been celebrated as a symbol of female strength. There has been a barrage of analysis on the role of feminism in the film — most of it positive.

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