The Runner: How Gal Gadot actually switched to Wonder Woman mode in new action thriller

Gal Gadot might not be wearing the Wonder Woman suit this time, but The Runner seems to prove that she hasn't lost her action-star touch. In July 2026, Prime Video released the official trailer for its upcoming action thriller movie, The Runner. While the start of the trailer shows Gadot's character Maia leaving her son at school, the story soon takes a different turn when she gets a call from the kidnapper who has her son.

From the trailer, the movie seems to bring back the Wonder Woman energy, showing Maia as a strong woman, fighting with everyone who comes her way, and even jumping from the bridge at one point, without thinking twice.

But how did Gal Gadot bring back her Wonder Woman side in a new action thriller, The Runner?

Gal Gadot reveals how she got into action-hero mode for The Runner

A still from The Runner trailer (Image via YouTube/@Prime Video)

Wonder Woman and The Runner have one thing in common, and that is Gal Gadot taking on another action-heavy role. While her character in the superhero movie is known for using her powers to fight evil, in Prime Video's upcoming movie, Gal Gadot's character has something very different driving her. From the trailer, it is clear that she will do whatever it takes to find and save her son, whether that means jumping from the bridge, running through the city, or getting into a fight without thinking twice.

To prepare for the role, Gadot trained with an Olympic trainer, Malachi Davis, who helped her improve her running technique. Speaking to People, Gadot said preparing for the movie took a lot of practice, as this was a completely new experience for them. She added that despite doing many action films, she had never worked on one where she had to run all day, and they had to keep adjusting until they got it right.

However, speaking to Men's Journal, the actress also admitted that running is her "least favorite thing." Despite that, she had to train for nine months for the role and spend long hours doing stunts for the movie.

It wasn't easy for the actress while filming the movie. Speaking to People, Gadot revealed that she actually finished filming while using crutches after breaking her feet. She explained that she was limited in what she could do at that time. Gadot also joked that after spending months running for the movie, she feels like she has had enough of running for a while.

Because of her broken feet, the team had to film a few of the scenes again later. However, Gadot also pointed out that injuries can happen when making a physical movie, and she knew that something like this could happen, and she took it as part of the process, even though her body eventually needed a break. Gadot even joked that if Tom Cruise can go through something like this, she can too.

The cast of The Runner includes Gal Gadot as lawyer Maia Marten, Damian Lewis as The Caller, Rory Wilmot as Noah, and Alfred Enoch as Ted. The movie is directed by Kevin Macdonald, known for A Beautiful Obsession, How I Live Now, and State of Play. It is scheduled to release on September 2 on Prime Video.