Now, after years of speculation and false promises, the world’s most recognizable female superhero is finally headlining a major motion picture. “Wonder Woman,” featuring Gal Gadot in the title role, muscles its way into multiplexes Friday.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, let’s take a look at 10 other prominent female action heroes of film and television.
Xena Warrior Princess
Tall, confident and clad in a leather miniskirt, boots and bronze breastplate, the sword-swinging Xena made her debut in 1995 in episode 9 of season 1 of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.” Played by Lucy Lawless with a gleam in her eye, Xena was given her own show later that year, the comedic “Xena: Warrior Princess,” and it became a cult classic, ultimately outstripping “Hercules” in terms of fan following and fun factor.
Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), no slouch herself, accompanies Xena on her adventures through a fantasy version of ancient Greece, battling evil warlords and unjust gods.