Casting features a diverse ensemble including Pedro Pascal as Max Lord and supporting roles for actors like Amr Waked and Natasha Rothwell, but these feel incidental and organic rather than forced or clashing with the source material or historical setting, with no race/gender-swapping controversies beyond minor diversity critiques. Patty Jenkins emphasized empathy, love, and character growth in interviews, avoiding DEI mandates or overt feminist activism. Reception backlash centered on plot flaws like the illogical Steve Trevor resurrection (ironically sparking consent debates that progressives criticized), poor pacing, and weak action, not ideological overreach; scattered 'woke' labels from audiences misattribute execution failures and inherent female-led empowerment to contemporary activism, but the film prioritizes entertainment and moral fables over preaching.