This follows Batman for all generations. Superman has been requested, and I will do one, I just thought throwing her in between was a nice change. I will also, if this is well received, do Rivalries for all Generations.
We all know who the Amazon is but who could properly portray the Princess on the big screen. For me it involves more than talent (which people sometimes overlook for the sake of appearance), it also involves height and a stunning body that looks as though she can kick your tail. Thin as rail (Olivia Wilde) won't do for me here. Keep in mind I've mentioned height as I will contradict myself here.
Created in 1941 I'm going to stick with the reasonable start date as 1945 (same as Batman). From there, I will illustrate my picks (broken up by every 10 years) for her.
1945
Yvonne De Carlo (age 23)
It was between her and Ava Gardner. Gardner, although beautiful, is very, very thin. De Carlo was a mere 5'4" and that bothers me. I could not find an actress with my height requirements, so I chose a well-known starlet with acting credentials to boast of. For those that know the show, this is Lily Muster in her younger days.
Known at the time for... Salome Where She Danced
1955
Hazel Court (age 29)
The very sultry and very seductive Court was very well known for her Hammer films and Sci Fi movies. Perhaps I focused on her seductive charm over her overall compatibility and, again, at 5'5" she is another short actress among MANY MANY others. The argument can be made that, in the early days of Hollywood, do you think they would dare have a tall woman in such a dominant role when women were not considered equal yet?
Known at the time for... Devil Girl from Mars
1965
Raquel Welch (25)
OMG!! No woman will ever hold a candle to her, not Monroe, not Crawford, not Jones, or Kunis, or Munn... no one will do to men what she did. Google her if you don't believe me, than compare her to others of her generation and consider that she is 100% real. Basically, how geeks have some Princess Leia/Eonder Woman fantasy, well she would bring about that feeling in every man alive. BT, she's 5'6", I prefer WW to be, at least, 5'9" and she is the last of my little ladies.
Known... Fantastic Voyage
1975
I've got no problem with
Lynda Carter (24)
as Wonder Woman (as she was on the small screen); gaw she's sooo pretty and stands at 5'9"!! but for the sake of being original, I chose
Valerie Leon (32)
She towers at 5'11" and personifies the Amazon better than any thus far. I chose her in my 1972 JLA cast as well.
Known... Blood from the Mummy's Tomb
1985
Mariel Hemingway (24)
Also at an outstanding 5'11", the actress' sensuous appeal landed her on the cover of Playboy in (as was Welch) in mid her acting career. You may know her as the temptress in Superman IV. A wig would fix the hair color easy.
Known... Manhattan
1995
Lucy Lawless (27)
Oh come on, this one's too easy. Say what you want about typecasting but as far as I'm concerned Xena was an audition for WW. She is 5'10"
Known... Xena
2005
Karen Clitche (29)
I may have made a mistake when I cast her as WW a while back in my WW fancast as she would've been 35 and left little room for sequels. At 29 in '05, and standing tall at 5'9", she's my chose again.
Known... Mutant X
2015
Taylor Cole [as of '15] (30)
I jumped aboard the Cole train (oh that sounds like a bad pun; I did not mean for that) I think, with a growing resume (I've watched her in 12 rounds and heard about her in The Event), at 5'9", a killer body and a fan base for this role, she could be WW tomorrow or in 4 or 5 years.
Known... The Event