Cleopatra: Gal Gadot to play Queen of Egypt; Netizens not happy

Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot will soon be seen as Cleopatra, the Queen Of Egypt. Gadot took to Twitter to announce that she will collaborate with filmmaker Patty Jenkins in a period biographical drama scripted by Laeta Kalogridis. Paramount will be producing the historical drama, it defeated Apple, Universal, Warner Bros, and Netflix in the auction.

Gal Gadot, in a two-part tweet, wrote, “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. 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 (sic).”

Read Gal Gadot’s tweet:

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 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

Her tweet soon drew criticism, with some railing against the casting of an Israeli as the Queen of Egypt. Some saying that a woman of colour should have got the role.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Ummm… you’re not Egyptian though? Why would you accept a role that may offend others? That just makes you someone whose willing to take role from others just to keep yourself relevant. It’s very selfish of you and I’d rethink the role.

— Jojo (@Jojo76081173) October 12, 2020

through the eyes of white women’s and white hollywood, as always!!!

— sasa (@amberheardn) October 12, 2020

Another attempt to white wash a historical figure! U are a white Isreali woman. Cleopatra was MACEDONIAN and EGYPTIAN. Its awful how u deny important roles to women of color!!!!

— tony laface (@LafaceTony) October 12, 2020

Which Hollywood dumbass thought it would be a good idea to cast an Israeli actress as Cleopatra (a very bland looking one) instead of a stunning Arab actress like Nadine Njeim?

And shame on you, Gal Gadot. Your country steals Arab land & you’re stealing their movie roles… smh. https://t.co/GY5tYEcl4K pic.twitter.com/JcrnM1RUQq

— sameera khan (@SameeraKhan) October 11, 2020

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

Gal Gadot is not the first white woman cast in the role of the Egyptian queen. Claudette Colbert, Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor have all portrayed the historical figure in the past.

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