Gal Gadot's Netflix Spy Thriller Exceeds Bond's Inspiration in Epic Fashion!
Gal Gadot's electrifying Netflix spy thriller 'Heart of Stone' takes inspiration from the iconic James Bond franchise, delivering a pulse-pounding adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat Watch it now on Netflix!
Summary
Heart of Stone cinematographer George Steel found inspiration for the movie's visual style in the maligned James Bond movie Octopussy.
Steel aimed to give Gal Gadot's character in Heart of Stone a grittier visual style, as opposed to the polished portrayal seen in Wonder Woman. The inclusion of elements like Roger Moore's wardrobe and the film's distinctive combination of sophistication and edginess, similar to Octopussy, which received mixed reviews, also appealed to Steel.
Heart of Stone cinematographer, George Steel, has revealed the surprising James Bond film that influenced the Gal Gadot spy thriller. Now streaming on Netflix, Heart of Stone features Gadot as international agent Rachel Stone, tasked with protecting a mysterious object known as "The Heart." Directed by Tom Harper, the film also stars Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, Sophie Okonedo, Jing Lusi, Paul Ready, B.D. Wong, and Glenn Close.
Now that Heart of Stone has been released, its James Bond inspiration is evident. Interestingly, Steel expressed his admiration for the less popular Bond film, Octopussy, and how its visual style influenced Heart of Stone. In an interview with IndieWire, Steel shared his thoughts on the matter.
Octopussy Is Mostly Remembered For Its Title (And Moore's Clown Outfit)
I have a strong admiration for Octopussy, and I used to tease Tom Harper, the director, saying that I wanted our film to have a similar style as Octopussy. I could see a hint of fear in his eyes whenever I mentioned it, but the moment Roger Moore emerges from the depths of the jungle wearing that incredible jacket, I find it incredibly beautiful. ... Our intention wasn't for Gadot to portray a glamorous Wonder Woman. We wanted to explore the intriguing concept of taking someone as stunning as Gal and immersing her in a slightly rawer aesthetic.
Octopussy, released in 1983, marked Roger Moore's second-to-last appearance as James Bond. Despite receiving mostly negative reviews, with a 42 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, the film achieved considerable success at the box office. With a budget of $27.5 million, Octopussy grossed $187 million worldwide. Audiences still enjoyed seeing Moore portray Bond, but the actor's age was becoming a factor, leading to Timothy Dalton eventually taking over the iconic role after one more film.
Octopussy stands as a lackluster addition to the Bond saga, with its tiresome plot and forgettable villain. What truly remains ingrained in the minds of viewers after four decades is its peculiar title, which references the film's main Bond Girl but seems more like an inadvertent dirty joke. The only other memorable aspect of Octopussy is the sight of Moore's Bond dressed as a clown in an attempt to defuse a bomb.
Despite Octopussy not being held in high regard among Bond movies, it has certainly found a fan in Steel, the cinematographer for Heart of Stone. Steel drew inspiration from Moore's wardrobe and the film's blend of sophistication and roughness. While comparing any modern spy film to Bond is somewhat risky, such comparisons are inevitable. Whether Gadot's portrayal of Rachel Stone leads to a continuous spy thriller role or remains a one-time occurrence is yet to be seen.
Source: IndieWire
