The journey of Gal Gadot to stardom has been truly extraordinary. Back in 2004, at the young age of 18, she emerged victorious in the esteemed Miss Israel Competition. This triumph marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that initially revolved around the world of modeling but soon paved the way for her entrance into the world of acting. With her mesmerizing charm, innate talent, undeniable presence, and exceptional acting abilities, Gal Gadot has effortlessly captivated an immense global fan base.
Gal Gadot, known for her diverse film choices, recently faced backlash for her decision to play Cleopatra in an upcoming movie. This sparked a whitewashing controversy, as critics argued that the Egyptian queen should be portrayed by an actress with a more accurate ethnic background. However, Gadot defended her portrayal, highlighting that Cleopatra was much more than just a seductress known for her beauty. The actress emphasized that the project holds personal significance to her and aims to showcase the depth and complexity of the historical figure.
In spite of the movie moving forward as planned, no changes are being made to the cast. In an exclusive interview with Vogue Hong Kong, Gal Gadot shared her personal connection to the iconic Cleopatra, revealing that she grew up with stories about the legendary Egyptian queen. Gadot went on to emphasize the significance of Cleopatra as a household name, comparing her to the fictional superhero she portrays in the DCEU. Expressing her admiration for Cleopatra as a real-life, powerful female leader, Gadot expressed her excitement for the opportunity to bring her story to life on the big screen. She recalled being captivated by the fascinating accounts of Cleopatra’s life and felt compelled to share her story with audiences.
According to Gal Gadot, the common perception of Cleopatra as a temptress who manipulated relationships for political gain is largely influenced by narratives and personal interpretations. Throughout her work on the film, Gadot has come to realize that there is much more to Cleopatra than just her reputation as a seductress. She believes that Cleopatra was ahead of her time and wants to accurately portray the historical figure in order to shed light on her true legacy.
Gadot expresses her passion for telling Cleopatra’s story and doing justice to her character and her impact on history. She believes that Egypt during Cleopatra’s reign was groundbreaking and futuristic, and she is eager to share this perspective with the world. The actress assures that the film has a powerful script, and she is excited to change the prevailing narrative of Cleopatra being solely defined as a seductive figure.
Gal Gadot has maintained her stance on the role of Cleopatra, remaining consistent with her sentiments from 2020 during an interview with BBC Arabic. She expressed her desire for a Macedonian actress to portray the iconic figure, but unfortunately, none were found suitable for the role. Thus, she took it upon herself to portray the character that she holds in such high regard.
“It’s important to acknowledge the historical accuracy that Cleopatra was Macedonian. We searched for a Macedonian actress who could embody her essence, but we couldn’t find the right fit. Personally, I have a diverse group of friends who come from different backgrounds and beliefs, and I believe in celebrating the legacy of Cleopatra and paying homage to this incredible historical figure whom I deeply admire. Anyone has the ability to create their own interpretation of Cleopatra in a film, and I am very passionate about bringing my own vision to life.”
Scarlett Johansson faced similar backlash like other MCU stars when she took on the lead role in the movie Ghost In The Shell. Released in 2017, the film received heavy criticism from devoted fans of the anime and manga franchise. One of the main points of contention was the alleged “whitewashing” of the film, as Johansson, a Caucasian actress, was cast to play the character Motoko Kusanagi/ Major Mira Killian, originally intended to be portrayed by an Asian actress. This controversial casting decision led to widespread complaints and disappointment among the audience.
In the film Ghost in the Shell, there was a noticeable absence of Asian actors in major roles despite having a few in supporting positions like Takeshi Kitano and Chin Han. This caused the movie to miss capturing the true essence of the story. When questioned about this casting choice, director Rupert Sanders defended his decision by stating that he wanted to capitalize on the worldwide fame of Scarlett Johansson, who is known for her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, this justification was met with criticism as it resulted in the film’s underwhelming performance at the box office, grossing only $167.9 million globally. This disappointing outcome was particularly surprising considering the widespread popularity of anime and manga.