She became a household name with Wonder Woman and meanwhile Gal Gadot is fast becoming one of Hollywood's most successful as well as popular actresses. Speaking to Gentlemen's Watch, she talked about her motivations, ambitions and, of course, the successful Netflix film Heart of Stone...
Text Jorrit Niels; Image Netflix
"One moment, the coverage is bad here," Gal Gadot says as she drives along the Tel Aviv coast. These are interviews anno now. The occasional face-to-face interview in London, Paris or the US, but otherwise the 'Zoom' has become a fixture of the celebrity interview.
At the time of this interview, 38-year-old Gadot is in Israel, where she has a home in Tel Aviv. In addition to her retreat in Malibu, California. The reason for this interview? Her action thriller Heart of Stone (viewable on Netflix).
In it, Gadot plays secret agent Rachel Stone who works for a mysterious global intelligence agency. She must pull out all the stops when a hacker tries to steal their most valuable and dangerous weapon.
Alongside Gadot, we see Jamie Dornan (The Fall), Alia Bhatt (RRR), Matthias Schweighöfer (Army of the Dead) and Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda). The spy thriller is directed by Tom Harper (Peaky Blinders).
It is the first time Gadot, albeit outside superhero franchise Wonder Woman, carries a big budget blockbuster. Gadot gained some notoriety through her supporting role in the Fast & Furious-films, but broke through as Wonder Woman in 2016. In addition to the new Netflix film, she will soon be seen in Disney's live-action Snow White remake as the Evil Queen and is starring in a new adaptation of the Cleopatra story.

"Snow White was something unlikely, which I filmed after Heart of Stone. Very theatrical and special to be part of Disney history. Cleopatra will be an event. I grew up with so many stories about her. If Wonder Woman is the imaginary strong female lead, Cleopatra is actually the real one. That woman was so far ahead of her time. I can't say much about it yet, but I am passionate about telling her story and doing justice to this character and her legacy. We will see her as more than simply a seducer."
Gal Gadot franchise?
For now, her latest, Heart of Stone, an unexpectedly entertaining blockbuster, with great action scenes, including a paraglide chase through the Alps and a car chase through Lisbon. Top it off with a charming cast and this could well be Gadot's next franchise.
So that was the goal when Gadot came up with the idea for this film, through her production company Pilot Wave. Founded with her husband Jaron Varsano.

"Our goal was to make something on a huge scale," Gadot continues. "I wanted to convey that ambition and hopefully we managed to do that. We take viewers on quite a ride and right from the start, those first 15 minutes, you get sucked in. Hopefully the whole film feels like that."
A rollercoaster ride?
"I love it when people are on the edge of their seats because of the action. But also because of all the plottwists, a healthy dose of humour, action and drama. Above all, I wanted the film to have a 'heart'. More than a story that just helps you move from action scene to action scene. At all costs, I wanted to avoid imitating other male-led film series. No matter how great they are."
It is a woman, but it is not written on that.
"Exactly. I wanted a strong lead, who happens to be a woman. Although I dare say that the female touch makes all the difference here. I hope it comes across, with just a bit more emotion, feeling and charm than what you know from these kinds of films. I felt there was room for an action film with a female protagonist that would appeal to everyone. After all, how many times have they changed gender in other films? They take a story that is about men and they just change it to a woman, and then start filming... No, for me it was important to Heart of Stone a bit different, because men and women are different now. They are built differently, they function differently."
Low budget
In a film that is raw and more reality-based.
"Exactly, instead of the polished superhero movie, which you probably know me mostly for. That's also why I chose Tom Harper as director. He has directed all kinds of things, but what convinced me most of all was his film Wild Rose. In that independent low-budget film, he told a great and compelling story about an amazing woman. From a small premise. I wanted to see what would happen if we put him in a world of chases and explosions."

That could also have gone wrong.
"Haha, that was terrifying too and I could have gone off tremendously, but it worked out well!"
What was it like to take your fate into your own hands with this film? You also developed and produced it.
"Usually, as an actor, you get the script and you can discuss it with your cinematographer, but that's about it. It's quite relaxing because you don't have to worry about anything. But there is nothing as stimulating and exciting as when you create something from scratch yourself."
A planned film series as a first project, you could have made it easier on yourself...
(laughs) "People see 'another' action thriller... But indeed, hardly anyone knows how difficult it is to set a completely new world. The intelligence agency Rachel works for, the technology, a host of unique characters... Who are also really alive and not just serving the plot. I give the director and writers full credit for that, by the way. I merely guide it in the right direction. As good and bad as I can!"

With action that is real and not one big CGI fest. A conscious choice?
"I knew the superhero thing with Wonder Woman and it could be a bit more realistic for me now. Without too many blue screens and explosions from a computer. We also travel the world to special locations in Portugal, Morocco, England, Iceland and Italy. It's refreshing to play a real person who is vulnerable and not always in control of everything."
Artificial Intelligence
At the centre is an artificial intelligence, grimly topical. How do you yourself view this technology?
"It is something that has become part of our lives. What is there now will not be reversed. Artificial intelligence (AI) in our lives will increase exponentially. Look at how dependent we have become on our smartphones. Who could have ever imagined that 10 or 12 years ago? I do think we need to keep an eye on the dangers of AI. Be it future weapons or fake news. I am no tech guru, but I regularly wonder about the risk if this development gets out of hand. Conceptually and philosophically, I find that immensely interesting."
Looking at your previous experiences in the film industry, what did you absolutely want to do differently?
"When you make these kinds of big budget films, the script is often unfinished, it's mainly a skeleton to serve as a foundation. For me, the script is like a bible. If it's not in it, you won't see it on film either. So we made sure the script was one hundred per cent finished ánd good, so that during filming we could focus on the acting and the story. It sounds simple and logical, but is a rarity in this industry."

What motivated you to be active behind the scenes this time as well?
"Taking control of my own destiny. I don't like to sit at home and wait for the next offer. I am a curious person and someone who doesn't want to sit and do nothing for a month. I want to keep going. Producing is a great tool to achieve that."
Did you always have that attitude?
"I think this developed gradually. In the beginning, I didn't even want to be an actress! Then I tried and almost gave up. Only to break through and really start loving the profession. And the more experience I got, the more I knew about the world behind the scenes. Why don't I participate in that? Which I then started doing with the best partner I could wish for; my own husband. So we just went for it. Life is short. I don't want to be the person later on who regrets too many missed opportunities."

Do you also pass that on to your daughters?
"We have three daughters and I always encourage them to 'do it'. Be proactive and not be shy. The best parenting is done by setting the right example. That's what I try to pass on. Even when I am at a loss for words myself. Then I think 'how would I explain this to my daughters' if they were in my shoes. And then I do it as I would tell it to them. I also make sure they don't look too much at other people's paths - focus on your own. Be humble and work hard."
Together with husband
Does working with your spouse add an extra dimension?
"He is smart, a businessman who understands the essence of this industry, so that helps a lot. Beyond that, of course, there is the simple fact that you can share something like making this film. After all, the fact that this succeeds is very special. And also look at it practically. I travel all over the world, so how nice it is then when you can travel together with your love and work. I knock it off as I say this to you: but this collaboration has turned out to be a blessing for us."

Who in this industry has inspired you the most?
"That's not really one person. Over the years, I have picked up from several people. But there is one thing that immediately comes to mind: if you are successful, a lot of people wonder where they earned it from. I'm not that exceptional, am I? Can I be proud of this success? The famous imposter syndrome. As soon as I feel that, I think back to a meeting I once had with director Francis Ford Coppola. I asked him, 'how does it feel to be a national symbol?' He told me that whatever he does, he is always uncertain about what people will think. Whether they will like it. I'm never sure if I'm on the right track, but I follow my heart. Because if such a legend feels the same way, then surely I can feel the same way sometimes. That was a very liberating thought for me."
Heart of Stone can now be seen on Netflix
CV
Name: Gal Gadot
Date of birth: 30 April 1985 (38), Petak Tikva - Israel
Residence: Malibu, California - USA & Tel Aviv, Israel
Private situation: Married (three daughters)
Filmography: Fast & Furious franchise (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2023), Date Night (2010), Knight & Day (2010), Triple 9 (2016), Batman v Superman (2016), Criminal (2016), Keeping up with the Joneses (2016), Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Red Notice (2021), Death on the Nile (2022), Heart of Stone (2023)
Coming soon in: Snow White (2024), Cleopatra, Hedy Lamarr, Red Notice 2