Jewish filmmaker Joel Schumacher has tipped the Israeli star of his latest film to be a future Bond girl.
Esti Ginzburg, a model who is currently serving in the Israeli army, plays the lead in Mr Schumacher’s new film “Twelve”.
The drama about drug users in New York also stars rapper 50 Cent and Chace Crawford, the Gossip Girl actor with whom she has been romantically linked.
Mr Schumacher, 71, told Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that the Israeli actress would “get far in life”.
The veteran director, whose film St Elmo’s Fire helped make Demi Moore a household name, added: "With Esti's looks and with a lot of determination, she could definitely have a Hollywood career.”
“I think she should be a James Bond girl. She could play that role wonderfully."
He chose Ms Ginzburg, who has appeared on the cover of French Elle, despite the fact that she had no acting experience and said he had really enjoyed working with her.
“Throughout the shoot the actors turned into a small family, and Esti was like a Jewish mother – she cooked and prepared meals for us all the time. I wish she were my daughter. She's charming and not at all spoilt."
Last year the 20-year-old, who was drafted into the IDF in July 2009, publicly criticised fellow Israeli model Bar Refaeli for avoiding national service.
At the time she said: "Enlisting is a duty, not a choice. Military service is part of the things I believe in, the values I was raised on."
The keen soldier even sent the director a photograph of herself holding her rifle to convince him to give her the role.
Mr Schumacher added: “I told her, 'This is exactly what the world needs, a blonde girl who can shoot.
“Chase Crawford and I were a bit worried about her and afraid that she would be in the front.
“I only calmed down after realising that she isn't a combat soldier."
Watch a trailer for Twelve here
