The star of this summer’s blockbuster hit “Wonder Woman,” Gal Gadot, says she won’t return for the sequel unless Brett Ratner is dumped from the film.
According to the New York Post, Gadot has launched a one-woman crusade against the popular Hollywood producer who stands accused of sexually harassing more than a dozen women, including starlets Natasha Henstridge and Olivia Munn. Ratner has repeatedly denied the allegations, through his attorney Marty Singer, but the accusations keep piling up, and Hollywood movie houses are beginning to take notice.
Warner Bros. said last week that it would part ways with Ratner’s RatPac-Dune Entertainment, and now Gadot says she won’t help Warner Bros. make a second “Wonder Woman” film unless they agree to end their “Wonder Woman” co-financing deal with RatPac-Dune.
That would be a huge blow to an already struggling Warner Bros., who, with Ratner, earned more than $400 million from the female-led superhero flick.
Gadot has been an outspoken advocate for the women standing up to Hollywood sexual harassment. Earlier this year, the Israeli superstar posted on social media that she stood behind the effort to rid the entertainment industry of predatory men. “Bullying and sexual harassment is unacceptable! I stand by all the courageous women confronting their fears and speaking out. Together we stand. We are all united in this time of change,” she wrote on Twitter.
She even pulled out of a dinner last month where she was supposed to present the embattled Ratner with an award for his achievements in film. According to the Post, Gadot wanted to make a statement that she wouldn’t allow the female-led “Wonder Woman” franchise to benefit from a man who used his power and influence to sexually harass and abuse women.
“Brett made a lot of money from the success of ‘Wonder Woman,’ thanks to his company having helped finance the first movie. Now Gadot is saying she won’t sign for the sequel unless Warner Bros. buys Brett out and gets rid of him,” a source told the Post.
“She’s tough and stands by her principles,” the source continued. “She also knows the best way to hit people like Brett Ratner is in the wallet. She also knows that Warner Bros. has to side with her on this issue as it develops. They can’t have a movie rooted in women’s empowerment being part-financed by a man accused of sexual misconduct against women.”