She’s jumping off a snowy cliff, she’s zooming on a motorcycle, and she’s drinking (what looks like) Peroni beer. She's Gal Gadot as an international super spy named Rachel Stone in what Netflix is setting up to be a major new franchise with Heart of Stone.
The forthcoming film, directed by Peaky Blinders alum Tom Harper and written by Hidden Figures co-scribe Alison Scaroeder and legendary DC and Marvel comics creator Greg Rucka, is co-produced by Skydance and has been developed to becoming a series similar to their Mission: Impossible successes. The first trailer was released as part of Netflix’s self-promo party Tudum in São Paolo, Brazil on Saturday.
In the clip, you’ll see Gadot escape burning buildings, run across the desert, dodge bullets, swim in an indoor pool, and deliver one-liners on a cell phone. What’s most exciting is that everyone seems to be chasing some mechanical gewgaw called “the heart.” (As you’ll hear in the voice-over, “The heart is what gives it's charter its power.” Okay, fair enough.)
The reason why this is extraordinary becomes evident upon remembering that Gadot is playing someone named Rachel Stone. And she’s after the heart. Heart of Stone. Hollywood!
The trailer also shows Gadot dancing a bit with co-star Jamie Dornan (before they are so rudely interrupted by a flash grenade!), what appears to be Gadot’s commanding officer played by Sophie Okonedo, and a hacker foe played by Alia Bhatt. This marks Bhatt’s first Western film. She may not be too well known on these shores just yet, but she is a huge star in India, as her 78 million Instagram followers attest.
The film was shot in Portugal, Reykjavík, Northern Italy, and Shepperton Studios in England.
Netflix will unleash Heart of Stone on August 11, and the timing couldn’t be better. While the 38-year-old Israeli actress does make a brief appearance as Wonder Woman in the just-released movie The Flash, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran ended her time with the golden lasso when they announced a relaunch of the company’s properties.
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
DNC 2024: Live Updates From the Democratic National Convention
September Cover Star Jenna Ortega Is Settling Into Fame
Listen Now: VF’s DYNASTY Podcast Explores the Royals’ Most Challenging Year
Exclusive: How Saturday Night Captures SNL’s Wild Opening Night
Inside Prince Harry’s Final Showdown With the Murdoch Empire
The Twisted True Love Story of a Diamond Heiress and a Reality Star