Imagine a world where the Snyderverse never existed. No Henry Cavill, no Gal Gadot, and definitely no Joss Whedon "theatrical cut." In this alternate timeline, the first time we see the Trinity on screen isn't in 2016, but 2009. And the woman wearing the tiara isn't an Israeli soldier-turned-actress, but an Australian supermodel named Megan Gale.
Honestly, the story of Megan Gale Wonder Woman is one of the most fascinating "what-ifs" in Hollywood history. We aren't talking about a vague idea or a script stuck in development hell. George Miller—the mad genius behind Mad Max: Fury Road—was weeks away from shooting a $220 million epic titled Justice League: Mortal.
The cast was locked. The costumes were finished. Megan Gale had already started her combat training. Then, the whole thing evaporated.
The Casting That Almost Changed Everything
Back in 2007, George Miller didn't want established stars. He didn't want Christian Bale’s Batman or Brandon Routh’s Superman. He wanted a fresh start. While the internet was obsessing over who could possibly play Diana Prince, Miller looked toward his home in Australia.
Megan Gale was already a household name in Oz and Italy, mostly known for her modeling work and a few small roles like in Stealth. But at 5’10” with a presence that felt truly statuesque, she looked the part.
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People were skeptical. They always are. But those who saw the screen tests said she carried the weight of a demigoddess. Gale herself was obsessed with the character, grew up idolizing Lynda Carter, and basically felt like fate had dropped the role in her lap. She even retired from the catwalk in early 2008 specifically to pivot into acting for this franchise.
What Did the Megan Gale Wonder Woman Costume Look Like?
For years, we only had rumors. Then, around 2015, photographer Mark Rogers released some "holy grail" images from the production. The photos showed Gale in a suit that was strikingly different from the Greek-armor aesthetic Gal Gadot eventually popularized.
- The Colors: It was vibrant. We’re talking classic comic book red and blue, not the desaturated, muted tones of the early DCEU.
- The Skirt: It featured a pleated blue skirt that looked almost like heavy fabric or light leather, paired with a highly detailed eagle-crested corset.
- The Vibe: It felt regal. It didn't look like a "costume" as much as a ceremonial uniform for a warrior queen.
Some fans thought the bodice looked a bit "coconut-shaped" (their words, not mine), but overall, the consensus was that Gale looked incredible. She had that "I could snap you like a twig but I'd rather save your life" energy.
Why Justice League: Mortal Was Shelved
So, why don't we have three Megan Gale Wonder Woman movies by now? It was a perfect storm of bad luck.
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First, the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike hit. The script needed a polish, but because of the strike, the Mulroneys (the writers) couldn't touch it. Warner Bros. was getting nervous about the ballooning budget, which was reportedly heading toward $300 million—unheard of at the time.
Then there was the Australian government. They denied the production a 40% tax rebate because they claimed there wasn't enough "local content," despite the director and several leads being Australian. Miller was furious. He tried to move the whole thing to Canada, but the momentum was dead.
The final nail in the coffin? The Dark Knight. When Christopher Nolan’s second Batman film made a billion dollars and won Oscars, WB decided they didn't want to "confuse the audience" with two different Batmen (Armie Hammer was the Batman for Miller’s film). They pulled the plug weeks before cameras were set to roll.
The Team That Never Was
Just to give you an idea of how wild this movie would have been, look at who Megan Gale would have been standing next to:
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- Batman: Armie Hammer
- Superman: D.J. Cotrona
- The Flash: Adam Brody (who was basically the biggest star on earth at the time because of The OC)
- Green Lantern: Common
- Aquaman: Santiago Cabrera
- Martian Manhunter: Hugh Keays-Byrne (Toecutter/Immortan Joe!)
The Legacy of the Lost Amazon
Even though she never shot a single frame of the movie, the ghost of Megan Gale Wonder Woman lived on. George Miller clearly loved working with her; he eventually cast her as The Valkyrie in Mad Max: Fury Road. If you look closely at her performance in that film, you can see the DNA of what her Diana Prince might have been: fierce, maternal, and absolutely lethal.
It’s easy to wonder if Gale would have been as embraced as Gadot. The script for Justice League: Mortal (which leaked years ago) depicted a much more aggressive Wonder Woman. In one scene, she snaps a villain's neck without hesitating. It was a darker, more mythological take that predated the "Snyder-verse" by nearly a decade.
Honestly, we probably missed out on something special. Miller is a visual poet, and seeing his version of Themyscira would have been a trip.
If you want to dive deeper into this lost era of DC cinema, your best bet is to track down the leaked script for Justice League: Mortal. It's a fascinating read that shows just how much DNA the later films took from this "failed" project. You can also find the Mark Rogers photography portfolio online to see the high-res shots of Gale in the suit—it's the closest we'll ever get to seeing her fly.