The latest in a string of Netflix action films, Gal Gadot is set to headline as international spy Rachel Stone in Heart of Stone. With Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt, the film is carrying a tremendous amount of star power as they fight for control over a powerful artificial intelligence weapon. Here’s what we know about the movie.
Where can I watch Heart of Stone?
Heart of Stone is scheduled for an August 11, 2023 release date. The film will be available to stream on Netflix. It may also have a limited theatrical release, but this isn't confirmed.
What is the Heart of Stone movie about?
Spy Rachel Stone is tasked with a perilous mission - she must protect ‘The Heart’ from falling into the wrong hands. Stone is part of an elite international group of spies called ‘Charter’. Charter has no political or religious affiliations, and works to keep peace around the world.
When hacker Keya Dhawan attempts to take hold of ‘The Heart’, Stone must work to retrieve the weapon before it can be used for evil and worldwide chaos.
With stunning locations and adrenaline inducing stunts, the teasers and trailers released by Netflix promise a female-led action thriller that focuses on the sacrifices of being a spy as well as the heart-pumping tension of an international high-stakes mission.
What is ‘The Heart’ in Heart of Stone?
The Heart is the most powerful artificial intelligence weapon in the world. It has the ability to track any and all online activity, and then predict their behaviour and future thoughts. In the film, The Heart is used by Charter to predict global events and potential threats, allowing them to stabilise any disruptions before they arise.
Who is in the cast of Heart of Stone?
Gal Gadot stars in the film as intelligence agent Rachel Stone, and part of the elite spy network ‘Charter’. Gadot previously starred as Diana Prince in Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, and Sarah Black / The Bishop in Netflix’s Red Notice. She is slated to star as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, along with a number of high profile upcoming films.
Jamie Dornan plays MI6 agent Parker in the film alongside Gadot. The Northern Irish actor is well known for his career-defining performance as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. British-Indian actress Alia Bhatt plays the film’s main villain, Keya Dhawan. Bhatt is one of India’s highest paid actresses, starring in hit films such as Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva and Gully Boy.
Matthias Schweighöfer plays ‘Jack of Hearts’, the tech-mind working with Stone to protect ‘The Heart’ from falling into the wrong hands. Schweighöfer previously starred in the Netflix sports biopic The Swimmers and also appeared in Oppenheimer as German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg. Jing Lusi (Crazy Rich Asians) plays Theresa Yang, with Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, The Secret Life of Bees) as Nomad. Paul Ready (Motherland) plays Max Bailey.
Who is the production team behind Heart of Stone?
The film is directed by British film and television director Tom Harper. Harper is known for his films Wild Rose, starring Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters and Sophie Okonedo, as well as The Aeronauts with Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne. Harper has also directed episodes of Peaky Blinders.
American writer Greg Rucka (The Old Guard) developed the story and co-wrote the screenplay with Allison Schroeder (Hidden Figures). George Steel leads the cinematography, with Mark Eckersley editing the film. Both are frequent collaborators with Harper, with all three previously working on Wild Rose and The Aeronauts. Eckersley has also edited episodes of Black Mirror and The Crown.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger produce the film, having previously been involved with major action franchises Mission: Impossible, Jack Reacher and Star Trek. Gal Gadot and her partner Jaron Varsano also produce through their production company Pilot Wave, alongside Mockingbird Pictures’ Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn. Mockingbird is known for producing films such as Terminator: Dark Fate and To The Bone.
Where was Heart of Stone filmed?
Principal photography for Heart of Stone took place between January to July 2022. Filming locations included South Tyrol, Italy; London, UK; Reykjavik, Iceland and Lisbon, Portugal.
Will there be a Heart of Stone 2?
Netflix is heavily investing in action films, with Chris Hemsworth confirmed to star in Extraction 3, Jennifer Lopez’s The Mother, Ryan Gosling’s The Gray Man and Gal Gadot’s Red Notice film green lit for two more films. There is speculation that Heart of Stone will turn into a massive action franchise. Considering the involvement of Skydance and producers David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger, it’s entirely possible. Skydance has produced some of the biggest action franchises to date, working with Tom Cruise on Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Jack Reacher, and Top Gun: Maverick.
Heart of Stone premieres on August 11, and will be available to stream on Netflix.