Fans have a long memory. Even now, years after the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) went through its massive upheaval and rebirth, a specific "what if" still lingers in the corners of Reddit and movie forums. It centers on one person. Gina Carano.
There was a moment—roughly between 2012 and 2014—where you couldn't mention a live-action Wonder Woman without her name coming up. She was the prototype. The MMA-fighter-turned-actress who actually looked like she could snap a parademon in half. But despite the thousands of fan-made posters and the loud internet campaigns, she never wore the tiara.
The Chemistry and the Rumors
The fire really started because of who she was dating. In 2013, Carano was in a high-profile relationship with Henry Cavill. He had just become the world's new Superman in Man of Steel.
Naturally, the internet did what it does best. It jumped to conclusions. If Superman is dating a woman who literally looks like a Greek Amazon, surely Zack Snyder has already signed the contract, right? Rumors flew that she’d have a cameo in the Man of Steel sequel. People were convinced. Honestly, it made too much sense to be true.
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Carano herself eventually had to address it. During the press tour for In the Blood, she admitted that while she heard the buzz, she was never actually approached by Warner Bros. No phone call. No secret meeting in a dark room.
Why the Casting Didn't Happen
Hollywood logic is weird. Sometimes, looking "too much" like the character is actually a hurdle. While fans loved her physicality, the studio was looking for something else.
Zack Snyder eventually went with Gal Gadot.
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The backlash was instant and, looking back, kinda ridiculous. Critics complained Gadot was "too skinny" or "not athletic enough" to be a warrior. They wanted the Gina Carano build. But Snyder wasn't just looking for someone who could throw a punch; he wanted a specific kind of regal, "otherworldly" presence that he felt Gadot possessed.
There's also the acting factor. Carano is great at physical storytelling. Her work in Haywire proved she could lead an action flick. But Diana Prince is a complex role requiring a massive emotional range—from fish-out-of-water comedy to heartbreaking grief. At that time, the industry still viewed Carano primarily as an athlete, not a dramatic lead.
The Aftermath of the "What If"
Funny enough, Carano and Gadot actually worked together. They both appeared in Fast & Furious 6. Carano later praised Gadot, calling her a "great person" and telling fans to give her a chance. It was a classy move. It didn't stop the "Gina should have been Diana" threads from popping up every six months, though.
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By the time The Mandalorian rolled around, Carano finally got her "Amazon" moment. Cara Dune was essentially the version of Wonder Woman the fans had been asking for: heavy-hitting, muscular, and unapologetically tough.
Then came the social media storm. In 2021, Lucasfilm cut ties with Carano following a series of controversial posts. Fast forward to late 2025, and the dust has finally settled after a long legal battle. Disney and Carano reached a settlement, with the studio even mentioning they "look forward to identifying opportunities to work together" again.
Practical Takeaways for the Fans
If you're still holding out hope for a Carano-led Wonder Woman project, here is the reality of the situation in 2026:
- The DCU has moved on: James Gunn is now steering the ship. The "SnyderVerse" era is over. Any new Wonder Woman will likely be a fresh face, probably someone in their late 20s.
- The Physicality Shift: Modern superhero casting has moved away from needing actors to be "pre-buff." Studios now prefer hiring "actors first" and putting them through grueling three-month boot camps to get the "superhero look."
- Legacy Roles: Carano’s best bet for a DC return isn't Diana. Fans have pivoted to suggesting her for powerhouse villains like Giganta or even a role in the Lanterns series.
The Gina Carano Wonder Woman era was the greatest movie that never got made. It remains a fascinating case study in how fan expectations and studio visions often live on totally different planets.
If you’re tracking Carano’s comeback, keep an eye on the production updates for The Mandalorian and Grogu, set for May 2026. While the lawsuit is settled, her return to the big screen is the real story to watch now. Check industry trades like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter for the first word on her next confirmed project, as that will signal exactly how "back" she really is.