Gal Gadot made a fashionable appearance in Studio City, a suburb in Los Angeles this week, effortlessly capturing attention. The 36-year-old actress flaunted her slender physique in a sleek black coat, skillfully accentuating her trim waistline with a stylish sash. Recently, Gal found herself defending her role in the upcoming Cleopatra film, facing criticism due to her being cast as a white actress.
Legging it: Gal Gadot made a fashionable appearance in Studio City, a suburb of Los Angeles, this week. Gal, an Israeli who has served in the military as per her country’s regulations, has taken on the iconic role of the queen of Egypt. While Cleopatra, who had Greek heritage, has faced criticism for the casting of white actresses in the past, Gal addressed the issue during an interview with BBC Arabic last month. She stated, “To be true to the historical facts, Cleopatra was Macedonian.” As a co-producer of the film, Gal emphasized the search for a Macedonian actress to portray Cleopatra, but alas, they could not find one, leading her to take on the role with great passion.
She’s on her way: The famous 36-year-old artist showcased her enviable slim figure in a sleek dark coat that she cinched around her slender waist with a belt.
She expressed, “People are people, and for me, I want to honor and celebrate the incredible historical icon, Cleopatra, whose legacy I greatly admire.”
Gal challenged other filmmakers to create their own versions of the story, saying, “Anyone can make this movie and pursue it. I am personally eager to create my own interpretation as well.”
Although the original plan was for her to collaborate with her Wonder Woman director, Patty Jenkins, Kari Skogland has now taken on the role.
Patty will continue to be involved as a producer and will focus on other directorial projects, including the upcoming Wonder Woman film, according to Variety.
Participating in interviews: Following her recent appearance in InStyle magazine, she addressed the criticism surrounding her upcoming Cleopatra film, where she defended herself against accusations of “white-washing.”
In a recent interview with InStyle, Gal provided exciting details about the upcoming Cleopatra film, promising that it will be a celebration of the captivating and powerful Cleopatra story. She emphasized that the film will not only showcase Cleopatra’s undeniable allure and sex appeal but also highlight her strategic brilliance and significant influence on our modern world. Gal expressed her belief that this film will present the Cleopatra story in a way that resonates with today’s society.
The role of Cleopatra has been famously portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor in the ill-fated 1963 film, which marked the start of her troubled relationship with co-star Richard Burton. Interestingly, Elizabeth faced obstacles while filming in Egypt due to her conversion to Judaism for her husband Eddie Fisher and her support for what an Egyptian general referred to as “Israeli causes.”
Gaining popularity: Cleopatra’s casting has sparked some controversy for Gal before, but it should be noted that Wonder Woman also faced political backlash due to her involvement in the Israeli military.
Several other Caucasian actresses have portrayed Cleopatra throughout the years, including Dame Judi Dench, who even acknowledged that she did not fit the physical image typically associated with the role. Dench’s concern, however, was unrelated to ethnicity. When asked to play Cleopatra on stage, she humorously questioned, “Are you sure you want a menopausal dwarf to play this part?”
Gal Gadot’s casting as Cleopatra is not the first time she has faced controversy. Her portrayal of Wonder Woman also stirred up political debates due to her previous service in the Israel Defense Forces. Gadot’s prominent role in the film resulted in its ban in Lebanon, Tunisia, and Qatar. There were discussions regarding a similar ban in Jordan, although it was eventually not enforced.