It's easy enough to play a superhero on the big screen, but being one in real life is a little more of a challenge. Nonetheless, Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot seems to have it down. The Israeli star is known for using her celebrity for good, having used her platform to raise funds to build schools in underprivileged areas around the world and inspired girls everywhere by playing feminist icon Diana Prince in the 2017 critically-acclaimed film.
But perhaps her starring moment so far was this weekend when she put her Wonder Woman outfit on once again and headed down to Inova Children’s Hospital to meet dozens of sick children. Gal took a break from filming the sequel to Wonder Woman to pop down to the health care institution in Annandale, delighting both patients and staff.
The visit was documented by Patty Seo-Mayer, a pediatric nephrologist who posted a picture of the actress with excitable staff and children. "Dear @GalGadot- Thank you SO MUCH for visiting my patients and colleagues at #InovaChildrensHospital! Next time, can you align your visit with my call schedule? Love, #SuperFan," she wrote in the caption.
Dr. Lucas Collazo joined her in posting online, tweeting: "You are a true Wonder Woman. The kids loved it … and so did the staff."
Her unexpected appearance thrilled people on the internet, who were left impressed that Gal took time out of her day to meet the children. "That is so awesome that @GalGadot took time out of her day to bring smiles to those kids! What a great human being!" wrote Twitter user @AdamEldert.
He was joined by fellow user @FeinBobbi who commented saying "Real superheroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they wear scrubs!" and @Archangel3801 who put "This was an awesome display of community service and giving back. Thank you GG." The film's Twitter feed also showed the actress in her Wonder Woman outfit smiling with staff, and holding a baby who reportedly has leukaemia.
The Justice League star was in the area to film the second Wonder Woman film, reuniting with the film's director Patty Jenkins for the sequel. The movie is expected to welcome back many of the original cast, including Chris Pine, who played Steve Trevor, Diana's love interest. Pine's appearance in promotional images has confused fans who have questioned how he can be in the film when he sacrificed himself for the greater good at the end of the last movie.
In addition, Kirsten Wiig was confirmed to be playing the villain Cheetah in the film, by director Patty Jenkins on Twitter. The director, who is also known for her work on Monster in 2003, wrote: "So excited to confirm the most thrilling news. 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."
What exactly the cast and crew have planned for us will remain a secret until 1 November 2019, the film's official release date. Here's hoping Gal can fit in many more children's hospital appearances between now and then.