PHOTO: Journalist confirms Israeli actress Gal Gadot to play Egyptian Queen Cleopatra in new film

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Journalist has confirmed Israeli actress Gal Gadot to play Egyptian Queen Cleopatra in new film.

Gadot, 38, spoke with the publication for their July issue while promoting her upcoming spy film Heart of Stone. The actress, who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, felt it was her responsibility to portray Cleopatra as “a household name” in her native country of Israel which shares a border with Egypt.

“You know, if Wonder Woman is the imaginary strong female leader, Cleopatra’s actually the real one,” the actress told Vogue Hong Kong. “That’s a perfect example of a story that I wanted to tell because I started reading different books about Cleopatra, and I said, wow, that’s fascinating.” 

Social media users have reacted with dismay at the casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot in an upcoming film about Cleopatra, the queen of the Nile.

The movie, to be released by Paramount Pictures, will be directed by Patty Jenkins, who was also behind the 2017 film Wonder Woman and the upcoming Wonder Woman 1984.

In both movies, Gadot plays the lead role. 

“All I ever saw in regards to Cleopatra from film was that she was this seductive woman who had an affair with Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony,” Gadot explained.

Though the film is yet to enter production, the actress has been open about her excitement to portray this historical leader, according to Vogue Hong Kong. “I’m so passionate to tell her story and to bring justice to this character and her legacy and celebrate her and her legacy,” adding that the team “[has] a beautiful script, and I cannot wait to share this story with the world and change the narrative of Cleopatra simply being a [seductress].”

Fans’ reactions were mostly sceptical, with many accusing Hollywood of whitewashing and wondering whether Cleopatra should be played by an actress of colour.

Cleopatra was a descendant of Ptolemy I, a Macedonian Greek who established himself as king of Egypt after the death of his companion Alexander the Great.