I’m not sure what to make of the Fast and the Furious franchise. While the first film was essentially a repackaging of Point Break, it was a lot of fun. The second film was also a pretty decent diversion (I have a weakness for Cole Hauser), and the third film was mostely lame.
One thing the films lack is a coherent continuity*, but that’s OK because they exist to show off expensive cars doing crazy things. Well, that and to show off hot female bodies (in a PG-13 manner, of course).
Another hot female body has just been added to the cast of Untitled Fast and the Furious Sequel, this one belonging to former Miss Israel and Isreali soldier Gal Gadot. You might remember that Gadot pissed off some female Israeli leaders last year when a picture of her in a bikini was on an invitation to a Maxim party heralding their “Women of the Israeli Defense Force” feature. That picture is accompanying this article.
Moviehole says Vin Diesel, who is producing, wanted her in the film after she couldn’t get a part in Quantum of Solace. I have to think Diesel is pretty happy about taking James Bond rejects.
Amir Kaminer of Jewish news organization Ynetnews calls the hire “a proud moment indeed for the Israeli television and film industry.” I guess it is true that few Israeli women land prominent roles in “major motion pictures” in Hollywood.
*the fourth film will contain the three main characters from the first film (played by Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster) and an appearance from a character who dies in the third film, which presumably means it takes place before that film. It also seems to imply that the second film never happened.