by The Epic Journey of Gal Gadot’s Film Career
Over the past decade, Gal Gadot has quickly become one of the most recognizable and beloved actresses in Hollywood. From her breakout role as Gisele in the Fast & Furious franchise to her star-making performance as Wonder Woman, Gadot has shown incredible range and talent as a leading lady. She has starred in action blockbusters, comedies, dramas, and more – all while embodying a warmth, strength, and charisma that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.
As her career continues evolving with highly anticipated films like Heart of Stone and Cleopatra on the horizon, let’s take a look back at some of Gal Gadot’s longest and most unforgettable movie roles to date. These epic films have not only highlighted her skills as an actress but have also cemented her status as an A-list star with the power to lead mega-franchises.
Wonder Woman (2017) – 2 Hours 21 Minutes
It’s impossible to talk about Gal Gadot’s iconic roles without first mentioning Wonder Woman. After first debuting as the character in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gadot starred in the first-ever solo Wonder Woman film in 2017. Directed by Patty Jenkins, this origin story introduced audiences to the mythology surrounding Diana Prince’s upbringing as an Amazon warrior. It runs 2 hours and 21 minutes in length.
The film, which is set during World War I, follows Diana as she leaves her home island of Themyscira after rescuing Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor. Believing Ares the God of War is responsible for the global conflict, Diana heads into war-torn Europe to track down and defeat him. The runtime allows the film to explore different facets of Diana’s first experiences in the outside world while building to an epic and emotional battle.
Wonder Woman was hailed as a game-changer for the superhero genre, thanks in large part to the power, complexity, and heart Gadot brought to the groundbreaking lead role. Her performance balances Diana’s compassion, integrity, and strength beautifully. And with a domestic box office haul of over $412 million and a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film became one of the most successful and acclaimed superhero movies ever at the time of its release.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – 2 Hours 31 Minutes
After her scene-stealing debut in 2017’s Wonder Woman, fans were thrilled when Gal Gadot returned as the shield-wielding warrior three years later in Wonder Woman 1984. Clocking in at 2 hours and 31 minutes, the film is set in vibrant, chaotic 1980s as Diana Prince comes up against two new foes in Pedro Pascal’s Maxwell Lord and Kristen Wiig’s Barbara Minerva/Cheetah.
The sequel gave Gadot a chance to bring added dimension to her take on Wonder Woman, showcasing Diana’s heart and her struggle to maintain her values of truth and justice in the face of human moral frailties. With Patty Jenkins back at the helm, Gadot also delivers jaw-dropping action sequences as Wonder Woman soars through the skies over Washington D.C. to save the day in an epic climactic battle.
While the film itself garnered a more mixed critical reception compared to its predecessor, Gadot’s performance was roundly praised, cementing her as the definitive Wonder Woman. Fans are eagerly awaiting her return for a potential threequel.
Red Notice (2021) – 2 Hours 3 Minutes
In 2021, Gal Gadot teamed up with fellow A-listers Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds for the action-packed heist film Red Notice. Directed and written by Rawson Marshall Thurber, this globe-trotting adventure runs 2 hours and 3 minutes in length.
Gadot plays skilled art thief “The Bishop” opposite Johnson as an FBI profiler and Reynolds as another high-stakes criminal. The movie follows this trio of unlikely allies and adversaries as they search for Cleopatra’s bejeweled eggs. Red Notice moves briskly thanks to witty banter between the charismatic leads while showcasing exhilarating heists across exotic locations.
Gadot gets to demonstrate her versatility by playing a more villainous character. The Bishop is cunning, ruthless in pursuit of her goals, and always thinking several steps ahead of the boys. Gadot shines by adding layers of charm, intelligence, and physicality to create an antagonist you almost want to root for by the end. Red Notice became one of Netflix’s most-watched films, again showcasing Gadot’s star power.
Fast & Furious 6 (2013) – 2 Hours 10 Minutes
While Gal Gadot has now become best-known for playing Wonder Woman, one of her major breakout roles was as Gisele Yashar in the massively successful Fast & Furious franchise. Gadot had a recurring role throughout the series, with her character meeting a heroic end in 2013’s Fast & Furious 6.
Directed by Justin Lin, the sixth Fast entry runs 2 hours and 10 minutes in length. The film delivers exactly what fans have come to expect and love from the high-octane saga – a healthy dose of melodrama between beloved characters paired with outrageous, physics-defying action sequences.
Gadot’s Gisele gets more screen time here than in prior films, as she plays a key role on Dom Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) team that travels to London. Her chemistry with Han (Sung Kang) adds emotional stakes while she also gets in on the action herself, trading bullets and swinging fists with the mercenary crew led by Owen Shaw (Luke Evans). Gadot is as convincing firing a gun as she is flirting or navigating tense conversations about the future with Han.
Ultimately, Gisele achieves fan-favorite status when she makes the ultimate sacrifice for Han during the movie’s explosive climax. It sealed her place in Fast lore while also demonstrating Gadot’s capability to play an action heroine audiences become invested in beyond her beauty or love interests.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – 2 Hours 31 Minutes
Although her appearance only amounts to around 15 minutes of screen time, Gal Gadot left a huge impression on audiences with her debut as Wonder Woman in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Directed by Zack Snyder, this epic showdown between DC’s most iconic heroes runs 2 hours and 31 minutes long.
The film brought together Henry Cavill’s Superman with Ben Affleck’s grizzled, embittered take on Batman for the first time on the big screen. While the movie itself earned mixed reviews, Gadot emerged as a clear highlight. Her entrance alone, striding gracefully into frame in full armor, immediately captured fan excitement around seeing this legendary heroine in live-action for the first time.
We get glimpses of Diana Prince’s backstory along with her status as an immortal warrior committed to defending mankind. But the movie truly leaves fans wanting more thanks to Wonder Woman’s standout sequence saving Batman from certain doom. Gadot fully embodied the character’s warrior spirit, paving the way to the overwhelmingly positive reception to 2017’s solo film.
Despite her limited screen time, Gadot left a powerful impression that kicked off a new era for Wonder Woman.
Cleopatra
One of Gal Gadot’s most anticipated upcoming films is the historical epic Cleopatra. Directed by Patty Jenkins, this reimagining of the Egyptian queen’s life is currently in development. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but if films like Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984 are any indication, audiences can expect a sweeping, emotionally impactful story brought to life by great performances.
Gadot will both star as the legendary queen and executive produce the film. It has the potential to be one of the most expensive films ever made, with a budget possibly reaching $200 million due to the grand scale of sets, costumes, and visual effects required to transport viewers back to ancient Egypt.
Regardless of the final runtime, Cleopatra is sure to be an epic production from the costumes to set pieces. And with Gadot reteaming with Jenkins, the duo behind the Wonder Woman series, there is a lot of enthusiasm around what they can achieve by bringing this icon of ancient history to life on the big screen.
The ambition and allure of this film alone make it one of the most highly anticipated titles on Gadot’s future slate. And if her previous portrayals of strong female icons are any indication, audiences are eager to see the talent, emotion, and power she will bring to the role of Cleopatra.
Heart of Stone
Set to release on Netflix later in 2023, Heart of Stone is poised to be another high-octane thriller that allows Gal Gadot to showcase her action chops. The spy film is directed by Tom Harper and runs 2 hours and 2 minutes in length.
Plot details are still mostly under wraps. But the movie follows Rachel Stone (Gadot), an intelligence operative whose emotional walls start breaking down once she learns the truth about her latest assignment. The film co-stars Jamie Dornan as Parker, a mysterious figure accompanying Stone on her globe-trotting mission.
Early footage suggests there will be no shortage of explosive set pieces with Stone fighting terrorists, outrunning explosions, and embarking on dangerous undercover operations. Gadot has proven her ability to lead an action-heavy film in features like Wonder Woman and Red Notice. Heart of Stone seems primed to deliver thrills while also allowing the actress to explore heavier emotional tones.
And with Skydance Media and Netflix investing major resources into the project, it’s clear they are positioning Gal Gadot and Heart of Stone to be a massive hit. The film reportedly cost around $200 million to produce. So combined with a full-scale marketing campaign, this is shaping up to be a major tentpole release for Netflix in 2023 and a new high-profile franchise for Gadot.
No matter the final critical reception, Heart of Stone will undoubtedly have high production values and gives Gadot a chance to show new layers of depth while also kicking butt across the globe.
Conclusion
Over just a decade in Hollywood, Gal Gadot has established herself as a highly versatile, charismatic leading lady capable of headlining mega-budget blockbusters. From the Fast & Furious films early on to her career-defining performance as Wonder Woman, she has proven her skills as an action heroine.
And with epic films like Cleopatra and Heart of Stone on the way, Gadot is sure to continue captivating audiences for years to come. Her mix of warmth, strength, emotion, and determination makes her the perfect fit for larger-than-life characters. So whether she’s starring in sweeping period pieces or modern spy thrillers, Gadot’s cinematic journey is only just beginning.
