ISLAMABAD 07 August (Online): In an exclusive interview, Gal Gadot discusses working with Alia Bhatt, making waves in Hollywood as an Isaraeli actor, and performing action in Heart of Stone.
Gal Gadot is synonymous with Wonder Woman today. But only the Israeli actor knows the years of persistence she put in to bag the superhero role in a big-budget studio franchise. From getting rejected in an audition for the Bond girl in Quantum of Solace (2008) to finally crystallising her name for posterity with a star on the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame, Gal has come a really long way.
Even rarer is for her to have done it in the film industry of a country she wasn’t born in. In that sense, her journey is similar to her Heart of Stone co-star Alia Bhatt. Alia, who made her acting debut in Bollywood back in 2012 with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year, has taken great strides in a decade. Her latest feat is making her international debut alongside Gal Gadot in Tom Harper’s upcoming spy thriller Heart of Stone.
Gal Gadot’s pep talk for Alia
In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Gal agreed that watching Alia navigate the early stages of Hollywood does remind her of her own struggle. “We share so much in common. From the very first time we met, I felt we connected. Not just because both of us are from different countries and English is not our native language and the culture we come from is very different, but she brings a lot of warmth with her. Also a lot of, if I can say, cut the bullsh*t attitude. She’s always blunt. For me, as an Isareli, it’s delightful. You get what you see,” Gal told Hindustan Times.
A word of advice for Alia
Gal is quite confident that Alia is equipped enough to make inroads into Hollywood on her own. “I don’t think Alia needs any word of advice. She comes with such experience, working for over a decade in India. And India, you guys are massive! So she knows how to handle the heat. Breaking into the American market is going to be a smooth, healthy evolution or transition for Alia. I think she’s super ready. If she ever needs anything, she’s my buddy, she’s my sister, she has my number, she has my address. I’m always here for her,” Gal added.
Another parallel with Alia
Alia was pregnant when she was filming the action scenes of Heart of Stone. Interestingly, Gal had to turn down an action part in Zack Snyder’s 2013 superhero film Man of Steel because she was pregnant then. We’re not complaining because she went on to become Wonder Woman in the same DC Extended Universe, but Gal is glad that safety standards on Hollywood sets have progressed immensely in the last decade.
“We were completely set on the safety aspect 1,000%. We went on to filming this movie after there had been a tragedy on another set,” Gal said, referring to the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by actor Alec Baldwin on the sets of the Western, Rust.
“It’s always important to keep your cast and crew safe. But after such a tragedy, it becomes even more important to check what you usually check, times five. We were not allowed to do stunts that were overboard. We were surrounded by people who made sure we were safe and we were going to stay in one piece. That’s why you surround yourself with professionals who know how to do these things,” Gal added.
Heart of Stone will premiere on Netflix this Friday on August 11.
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