Gal Gadot to star as Cleopatra in upcoming film

October 14 ------ Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot took to Twitter and Instagram on Monday, October 12, to confirm her casting as Cleopatra in an upcoming Paramount Pictures film about the Queen of Egypt. Set to be directed by Patty Jenkins, the film will be the third collaboration between Jenkins and Gadot following Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984.

Gadot shared her excitement on Instagram, saying, "Cleopatra is a story I wanted to tell for a very long time." "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," she added. Alongside Jenkins, Jason Varsano, and Laeta Kalogridis have signed on for the project as producer, and screenwriter, respectively. No official release date or cast has been confirmed yet.

Cleopatra may be a dream role for the actress, but the casting has proven to be controversial. Netizens have expressed outrage that the role of the Egyptian queen is not going to be played by a North African but by an Israeli. Gadot has been accused of "white washing" Cleopatra for taking on the role. Though, scholars have maintained that Cleopatra was of Macedonian Greek descent and was likely fair-skinned.

Source: rappler.com/entertainment