Gal Gadot’s Lead Wonder Woman Stunt Double Told Us About Her Fave Stunt From the Movie
Caitlin Dechelle played a very important role in the new Wonder Woman movie, but even with a watchful eye you'll never spot her.
That's because Caitlin was Gal Gadot's lead stunt double, meaning Caitlin pulled off some truly incredible physical feats for the film. But if everyone did their jobs right—and they did—it'll look like Gal as Diana is perfectly executing every move.
We got the chance to find out what it was like to be Wonder Woman's double, speaking with Caitlin Dechelle herself to discover her history with stunts and her favorite moment from the film. Keep reading to find out more.
Sweety High: Tell us about your background in martial arts and how that eventually led to your stunt work.
Caitlin Dechelle: I started martial arts when I was 6 years old and instantly fell in love with it. I started competing at 9 and was hooked. I'm sponsored by team Paul Mitchell and earned more than 90 world titles during the 16 years I competed. I also have a black belt in three styles—Chinese Kenpo, Japanese Goju Ryu and Taekwondo.
I actually moved to LA to pursue a career in stunts so I could continue my love for martial arts and transfer my skills to a career in the movie industry post-retirement from the competition circuit. I love that I can use my martial arts to tell a story through the actress and the character she portrays. Because martial arts is my background, I am usually hired for fights. Martial arts have given me the skills to use in my stunt work, especially for the Wonder Woman film. It's a fun, creative process.
SH: What was the casting process like for Wonder Woman, and what were some of the highlights of the role once you nabbed it?
CD: The casting process did take a while, as filling this position was a big deal. I actually auditioned on my birthday, and it was quite a long one. We were tested on all skills, including hand-to-hand combat, weapons—of course including sword and shield—and falls and reactions.
I was beyond excited to get the part! To double such an iconic character is like a dream come true. Gal is incredibly awesome to work alongside, and our director Patty Jenkins was amazing. One of my favorite stunts in the film is a slow motion kick when Diana is in the tower with Ludendorff. That was a fun one to do!
Whether I get to hang out with the actresses I do stunts for all depends on the project and how busy it is. On Wonder Woman, we were incredibly busy the whole time. I did get to spend some time with Gal in training, as well as when we were onset, but it was always "Go, go, go!" We had lots to do.
SH: What have been some of your most memorable roles?
CD: I'd have to say doubling Wonder Woman is pretty memorable! But another memorable role was starring in Jackie Chan's Chinese Zodiac as an actress doing my own stunts. As a martial artist getting to work with such a legend, it was a dream come true.
SH: Have you ever received any crazy injuries on the set?
CD: Thankfully I haven't had any crazy injuries, but I've definitely had some serious bruises and my body has been completely exhausted—but thankfully that's about it. Working on one of the slides in Wonder Woman I had a 12-inch bruise on my thigh!
SH: Is it strange to be such a big part of a movie's action sequences without the viewers ever really seeing your face?
CD: Yes, but no. Technically if you see my face, something went wrong! But it's exciting to know what parts you did to contribute to the film and how they end up looking on the big screen. Funnily enough, my family and friends know when it's me because they know how I move, which is pretty cool.
SH: What advice do you have for aspiring stunt people?
CD: If you want to get into stunts, go for it. It's definitely a tough line of work, but a fun and rewarding one. Every day at work is like play, really, getting to fight people and create amazing scenes for the big screen. As with every job, there are pros and cons—but that's life, right?
To keep up with Caitlin's work you can follow her on her Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Love Wonder Woman? Click HERE for 11 facts you never knew about the hero.