Gal Gadot, both the lead actress and producer of Netflix’s upcoming spy thriller Heart of Stone, addressed the comparisons between her film and James Bond. In an interview with Empire, Gadot acknowledged the influence of Bond, Mission: Impossible, and Bourne on her desire to create a strong, female-driven action movie.

However, she made it clear that Heart of Stone is not intended to be a female Bond, emphasizing the film’s new ideas and universe while striving to avoid clichés.

A Unique Approach

Gadot expressed her commitment to portraying her character, Rachel Stone, as a grounded and accessible protagonist. Unlike action heroes with superhuman abilities, Gadot ensured that Rachel’s actions were designed to be within the realm of human capability.

Although she performed many of her own stunts, there were still some moments that required the expertise of her dedicated stunt team. Gadot emphasized the realness and struggles her character experiences, aiming to convey both strength and vulnerability.

Launching A New Franchise?

With Heart of Stone yet to be released, the question arises as to whether the film can successfully launch a new spy thriller franchise. While the Mission: Impossible series thrives on Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts, Heart of Stone takes a more grounded approach reminiscent of Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones.

The film’s commitment to originality and accessibility beyond a simple gender-swapped action lead presents an intriguing prospect. Audiences will ultimately determine whether this direction resonates with them and paves the way for a potential franchise.