‘Wonder Woman’ Gal Gadot’s Israeli Nationality Is Heavily Debated But ‘Fast & Furious’ Co-Stars Are “Proud” of Her

By Trisha Cerdena
Gal Gadot at the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Wonder Woman'
Actress Gal Gadot arrives at the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Wonder Woman' at the Pantages Theatre on May 25, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

As the “Fast & Furious” franchise deeply embraces the concept of family, its stars were quick to congratulate former co-star Gal Gadot and her considerable success with “Wonder Woman.” After the Warner Bros. movie was welcomed with a $103 million haul at the box office, the rest of the “Fast & Furious” cast members expressed their pride over the Israeli actress.

On Monday, after Gadot’s highly successful weekend with “Wonder Woman,” her former co-stars Vin Diesel, Tyrese, and Luke Evans shared messages on social media, showering praises for the movie and showing how “proud” they were of the actress.

“There are no words I can Say that can convey how proud I am of you… Your [record-]breaking weekend is nothing short of incredible. @gal_gadot All love,” Diesel wrote on Instagram as caption for a photo of himself with the 32-year-old actress.

“Of all things I’m so freakin proud of my girl and our #FastFamily @gal_gadot you have given so many women permission to be GREAT and to step into their fierce powers,” Tyrese wrote as part of his caption for his own Instagram post.

Aside from Diesel and Tyrese, Evans also joined in on commending Gadot. The “Beauty and the Beast” actor joined the “Fast & Furious” franchise in its sixth installment, taking on the role of villain Owen Shaw. “Saw #WonderWoman today and loved it! @GalGadot is fantastic — my kind of superhero!,” Evans wrote on Twitter.

Prior to the “Fast & Furious” stars’ messages to Gadot, co-star Dwayne Johnson had already expressed his excitement over the “Wonder Woman” success, tweeting that he is “so happy for my homegirl Gal!” and calling her an “awesome human.”

Even “Furious 7” director James Wan, who had also joined the DC cinematic universe as helmer of the “Aquaman” movie, took the time to tweet about Gadot’s performance and the success of the Patty Jenkins-directed movie. “[Aquaman] prod rented out a whole theatre for WW & invited crew. What a magnificent film! @GalGadot @PattyJenks you’re an inspiration #WonderWomen.”

However, not everyone have been impressed with the mother-of-two’s involvement in the latest “Wonder Woman” film. On Friday, Fox News lashed out at Gadot’s nationality and the absence of “patriotism” in the film. The "Your World With Neil Cavuto" segment called attention to incidents with which "some are calling it less American" due to Gadot's participation.

"I think, nowadays, sadly, money trumps patriotism,” guest commentator Dion Baia pointed out. “Especially, recently, I personally feel like we’re not really very patriotic, the country, in a certain sense. They want these movies to succeed internationally, so they’re going to dial back.”

Due to the fact that Gadot previously spent two years in the Israeli army, such circumstances have made foreign countries, such as Lebanon, have second thoughts in releasing the movie in their territories. Military service is compulsory for all males and females over the age of 18. According to Vogue, the former model’s service in the army included a period during the Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006 with which conflict between Lebanon and northern Israel occurred for 34 days.

"Wonder Woman,” which also stars Chris Pine and Robin Wright, is currently airing in theaters worldwide.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo