The Tape That Changes Everything
Gal Gadot has officially gone rogue. In a move that reeks of nostalgia and perhaps a little bit of desperation, the Israeli superstar took to Instagram on Thursday to drop a never-before-seen "camera test" featuring none other than Ben Affleck. But this wasn't just some cute behind-the-scenes blooper reel. This was raw, intense footage of Gadot practically staring daggers through Affleck's soul, proving exactly why she landed the role of Wonder Woman in the first place—and reminding everyone what the new DC regime trashed.
The video, released to mark the "12-year anniversary" of her casting, shows a side of Gadot we rarely see: cold, calculating, and lethal. While the public is used to her singing "Imagine" out of key or smiling on red carpets, this tape reveals the killer instinct that won over Zack Snyder. "Twelve years ago today, I was cast as Wonder Woman," Gadot captioned the footage, trying to play it cool. "What a wild, life-changing ride with a character I love so much."
But let's be real—the timing is suspicious. With James Gunn dismantling the old DCEU and rebooting the entire universe, Gadot's decision to "leak" this footage feels like a massive power play. She is reminding the world—and the studio execs who ghosted her third movie—that she owned that screen. And she used Ben Affleck as the bait to get everyone watching.
The Death Threat Heard 'Round The World
The content of the tape is where things get spicy. Dressed in a sharp, all-white business suit that screams "don't mess with me," Gadot is seen emerging from a taxi cab to confront Affleck's Bruce Wayne. The chemistry? Palpable. The tension? Through the roof. But it is the dialogue that has fans clutching their pearls.
Gadot doesn't waste time with pleasantries. She looks Affleck dead in the eye and delivers a line so chilling it probably made him flinch in real life. "Bruce, I believe I told you that if you ever try to contact or see me again, I'd kill you," she purrs with a dangerous calmness. It is a bold move to threaten Batman, but Gadot sells it with a terrifying conviction that makes you believe she would actually snap his neck right there on the pavement.
This isn't the sanitized, hope-filled Wonder Woman from the sequel that flopped; this is the warrior who collects heads. Seeing Gadot threaten to "kill" Affleck—who was at the peak of his bulky, brooding Bat-fleck era—is the kind of behind-the-scenes gold that usually gets locked in a vault. Why release it now? Is she trying to show the world she still has that edge? Or is she just missing the days when she was the most dangerous woman in the DC Universe?
Affleck's Reaction Says It All
We have to talk about Ben. In the clip, Affleck plays the bewildered billionaire to perfection, but insiders are analyzing his body language like it is the Zapruder film. After Gadot delivers her death threat and cheeky greetings are exchanged, Affleck's Wayne tries to warn her about Lex Luthor. He tells her the supervillain has taken an interest in her and that she needs to watch her back.
Gadot, dripping with arrogance, shuts him down instantly. She tells him she knows all about Lex and defends herself, claiming she isn't the one in trouble—he is. It is a total emasculation of the Bat, and Affleck takes it on the chin. The scene ends with Gadot sauntering away with a confident strut, leaving Affleck standing there looking stunned.
Then comes the money shot. Affleck turns to the camera and gives a "knowing look." It is a look that says, "Yeah, she got the job." It is almost a breaking of the fourth wall, a moment of acknowledgment from one A-lister to another that magic just happened. Sources say this specific chemistry test was the smoking gun that convinced the studio to sign her up immediately. Affleck knew it. Snyder knew it. And now, thanks to this leak, we all know exactly what went down in that audition room.
Pledging Loyalty to the Ousted King
You cannot ignore the politics here. By posting this throwback, Gadot is publicly kissing the ring of Zack Snyder, the polarizing director who was unceremoniously booted from the franchise. In her caption, she made sure to give a massive shoutout to the man who started it all, writing: "I thought it would be fun to share my camera test with Ben… thanking director Zack Snyder for sharing this with me and for casting me as Diana Prince."
Make no mistake—this is a line in the sand. Snyder's "Snyderverse" has a cult-like following that is constantly at war with the current Warner Bros. leadership. By aligning herself with Snyder and posting footage he likely slipped her, Gadot is signaling to the die-hard fans that she is still Team Zack. It is a risky move. Hollywood executives have long memories, and continuing to praise the guy who caused so much internal chaos at the studio might not be the best way to secure future gigs.
Is this Gadot's way of giving the middle finger to the new bosses? Wonder Woman 3 was cancelled, leaving her franchise in limbo. This post feels like a reminder of better days, back when Snyder was handing out roles and the universe had a gritty, darker tone that fans seemed to prefer over the colorful mess that The Flash turned out to be.
The Franchise That Crashed and Burned
Let's look at the scoreboard. Gadot's run as Wonder Woman started on a high note with this very audition, leading to her debut in 2016's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. She stole the show from the boys, no question. Then came the solo movie in 2017, which was a global phenomenon. But since then? It has been a slow, painful slide into mediocrity.
Justice League was a production nightmare. Wonder Woman 1984 was ripped apart by critics for its weird body-swapping plot and lackluster CGI. And by the time she showed up for a cameo in The Flash in 2023, the audience fatigue was real. Now, with James Gunn rebooting everything and casting a new Superman, Gadot's status is completely up in the air. She has claimed in interviews that she is still developing Wonder Woman 3 with Gunn, but sources at the studio have poured cold water on that, suggesting the role is getting recast.
This video feels like a eulogy. It is Gadot looking back at the start because she knows the end has already happened. Posting the "origin story" of her casting is the classic move of a star who knows their time in the suit is over. She is controlling the narrative, reminding us that she earned the tiara, even if the studio is trying to snatch it back.
Fans Are Losing Their Minds
Naturally, the release of this "Snyder Cut" style footage has the internet in a frenzy. The fanboys are out in full force, demanding that the old universe be restored and praising Gadot for her loyalty to the cause. The comments section on her post is a war zone of theories and heartbreak.
"The chemistry between Gal and Ben was unmatched. We were robbed of a true Trinity movie. James Gunn, what have you done?"
"She literally told Batman she would kill him. That is the Wonder Woman we deserved, not the one who gives speeches about love saving the world. Bring back the warrior!"
"Wait, is she posting this because she's officially done? This feels like a goodbye post. I am not okay."
"Zack Snyder gave us this. Never forget. Gal knows who the real boss is."
The sentiment is clear: people miss the edge that Gadot brought in these early days. The "white suit" look is already becoming iconic on Twitter, with fans comparing it to her armored look. But the overwhelming vibe is one of sadness—a realization that this era of DC is dead and buried, and no amount of leaked tapes can bring it back.
Is This The End for Gal?
So, where does Gal Gadot go from here? She has proven she can lead a blockbuster, but her recent non-DC projects, like Heart of Stone, haven't exactly set the world on fire. She needs a win. Clinging to the past with 12-year-old audition tapes is a great way to get likes on Instagram, but it doesn't get you a contract.
There are whispers that Gadot is trying to leverage fan support to force her way into the new DC Universe, possibly as a different character or an older version of Diana. But James Gunn is ruthless. He cut Henry Cavill without blinking. Would he really keep Gadot around just because she posted a cool video with Ben Affleck? Unlikely.
This video leaves us with a massive cliffhanger regarding her career. Is she auditioning for the public? Is she trying to remind directors she can act against heavyweights like Affleck? Or is she simply closing the chapter on the "life-changing ride" before moving on to something else? One thing is for sure: that threat to "kill" Bruce Wayne hits a lot harder now that the entire universe they built has been murdered by the studio.
