Wonder Woman Star Gal Gadot Takes Action with Female-Led Thriller ‘Heart of Stone

Gal Gadot, known for her role as Wonder Woman, has revealed how her new Netflix movie, “Heart of Stone,” was inspired by her experience playing the iconic superhero. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gadot expressed her frustration with the lack of female-led action films in the industry and her desire to change that.

Gadot explained that she has always been a fan of action movies and felt that there was room for more female-led films in the genre. She cited movies like “Bond,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Bourne Identity,” and “Die Hard” as examples of male-led films that she enjoyed and wanted to be a part of. However, it wasn’t until the success of the first “Wonder Woman” film in 2017 that Gadot realized her dream could become a reality.

“I had an ‘aha!’ moment,” Gadot said. “I was like, ‘Wait a second, men go to see [women-led action films too]. We can [make more], so let’s do it.’ I got some confidence and we decided we’re going to start and develop ‘Heart of Stone.'”

In “Heart of Stone,” Gadot plays elite agent Rachel Stone, who works for the MI6 and is the only woman standing between a powerful global peace-keeping organization and the loss of its most valuable asset, the Heart. Gadot explained that she wanted to tell a story from a female perspective and portray a character with many contradictions. Rachel Stone is an incredible secret agent who enjoys the thrill of adrenaline but struggles to follow the rules. Gadot found the character’s complexity and depth appealing and described playing her as “delicious.”

The actress also expressed her excitement about doing something different with an action movie compared to her previous roles as Wonder Woman and Gisele in the “Fast & Furious” franchise. She described the tone of “Heart of Stone” as grounded, gritty, and raw, and wanted to bring a sense of realism to the character. Gadot emphasized the physicality of the role and the intense training and preparation she underwent for the film’s stunts.

Despite facing challenges during the production, including contracting COVID-19, Gadot remained determined to give her best performance. She explained that once the camera starts rolling, she is fully committed to the role and doesn’t let external factors affect her performance.

“Heart of Stone” also stars Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, Sophie Okonedo, Matthias Schweighöfer, Jing Lusi, and Paul Ready. The film is set to debut on Netflix this Friday.

How does Gal Gadot believe that the inclusion of strong female protagonists in action franchises can benefit the genre?

E-dominated action franchises that could benefit from the inclusion of strong female protagonists.

“Heart of Stone” is a spy thriller that Gadot is not only starring in, but also producing, emphasizing her determination to bring more female-led action projects to the forefront. She shared that her role in “Wonder Woman” empowered her to take on this new venture and push for greater representation in the genre.

Gadot recognized the impact that “Wonder Woman” had on audiences, particularly young girls who finally saw a superhero they could relate to and aspire to be. She hopes that “Heart of Stone” will continue to inspire and encourage women and girls to pursue roles that are traditionally male-dominated.

The actress also discussed the challenges she faced while developing “Heart of Stone,” highlighting the importance of finding the right balance between the action-packed elements and a compelling storyline. She wants the film to be entertaining and exciting, while also exploring complex and multi-dimensional characters.

Gadot is excited to work with Netflix on this project, as she believes the streaming platform provides a global reach and a platform for more inclusive stories to be told. She hopes that “Heart of Stone” will not only entertain audiences but also spark conversations about gender equality and representation in the entertainment industry.

In closing, Gadot expressed her gratitude for the role of Wonder Woman in her career and her commitment to using her platform to bring about change. She encouraged other actors and filmmakers to join her in breaking down barriers and creating more opportunities for women in action films.