“Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot is set to star in a new movie about Egyptian queen Cleopatra.
The biopic features a script by Laeta Kalogridis and will be produced by Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven, “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins as well as Gadot and her partner at Pilot Wave Motion Pictures, Jaron Varsano, Deadline reports. Jenkins will also direct the film.
On Oct. 12, Gadot tweeted about the project, writing, “As you might have heard I teamed up with @PattyJenkins and @LKalogridis to bring the story of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, to the big screen in a way she’s never been seen before. To tell her story for the first time through women’s eyes, both behind and in front of the camera.”
As you might have heard I teamed up with @PattyJenks and @LKalogridis to bring the story of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, to the big screen in a way she’s never been seen before. To tell her story for the first time through women's eyes, both behind and in front of the camera. pic.twitter.com/k5eyTIfzjB
— Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) October 12, 2020
“And we are thrilled to be announcing this on #InternationalDayoftheGirl,” she added in another tweet. “We hope women and girls all around the world, who aspire to tell stories will never give up on their dreams and will make their voices heard, by and for other women”:
And we are especially thrilled to be announcing this on #InternationalDayoftheGirl
We hope women and girls all around the world, who aspire to tell stories will never give up on their dreams and will make their voices heard, by and for other women.— Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) October 12, 2020
In the past, Cleopatra has been portrayed by a number of famous actors, including Claudette Colbert, Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor. Gadot’s casting has been met with controversy, with critics saying the Egyptian queen should be played by a woman of color.
Author Morgan Jenkins tweeted, “I’m sure Gal Gadot is going to do a wonderful job as Cleopatra. However, for me personally, I would love a Cleopatra who’s darker than a brown paper bag, because that seems a bit more historically accurate.”
I'm sure Gal Gadot is going to do a wonderful job as Cleopatra. However, for me personally, I would love a Cleopatra who's darker than a brown paper bag, because that seems a bit more historically accurate.
— Morgan Jerkins (@MorganJerkins) October 11, 2020
Some scholars say Cleopatra was of Greek ancestry, while some argue that she was of Persian and Syrian ancestry as well. Gadot is an Israeli actor.
Others defended Gadot’s casting, arguing her heritage makes her an appropriate fit.
“Cleopatra was a mix of Macedonian/Greek (who were not white) and a hint of Persian,” tweeted author Art Tavana. “She was not black; more Middle Eastern (looks wise). Gal Gadot is probably too beautiful, in terms of modern standards, but she doesn’t look as ‘white’ as, say, Scarlett Johansson. It’s fine.”
Cleopatra was a mix of Macedonian/Greek (who were not white) and a hint of Persian. She was not black; more Middle Eastern (looks wise). Gal Gadot is probably too beautiful, in terms of modern standards, but she doesn't look as "white" as, say, Scarlett Johansson. It's fine.
— Art Tavana (@arttavana) October 11, 2020
It will be a while before we get to see Gadot starring as Cleopatra, but in the meantime, we can look forward to a Christmas Day release of “Wonder Woman 1984,” which was delayed from its initial June theater release because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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