Unmasking Cleopatra: Gal Gadot's Bold Stand Against Historical Stereotypes and the Power of Justice

Gal Gadot recently expressed her excitement for the upcoming Cleopatra movie, although its current stage of development remains unclear. In late 2020, Gadot made the decision to both produce and star in this biographical epic, with Patty Jenkins, known for her work on Wonder Woman, initially set to direct. However, Jenkins later transitioned to a producer role to focus on other projects, resulting in Kari Skogland, known for directing The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, taking the helm as the director. During a recent interview with Vogue Hong Kong, Gadot spoke about her enthusiasm for delving into the character of Cleopatra and correcting any false narratives associated with her.

Can Cleopatra Overcome Its Controversies & Long Development?

In Israel, which borders Egypt, I have been exposed to numerous captivating stories about Cleopatra. She has become a household name, much like Wonder Woman, who represents a fictional strong female leader. But what sets Cleopatra apart is that she was a real historical figure. When I started delving into books about her, I was astounded by her fascinating life and achievements. Contrary to the portrayal of Cleopatra in films as a seductive woman involved with Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony, there is so much more to her story. She was an incredibly progressive individual who was far ahead of her time. The ancient civilization of Egypt, with its futuristic aspects, still holds profound relevance in comparison to our modern society. While I don't want to reveal too much, I am deeply committed to sharing Cleopatra's narrative, bringing justice to her character, and celebrating her impactful legacy. We have a remarkable screenplay that I am excited to share with the world, aiming to reshape the image of Cleopatra as solely a seductress.

Since Jenkins left, Gadot's Cleopatra movie has been in a state of uncertainty. It was reported that the project moved from Paramount to Universal Pictures in mid-2022. However, no further updates on its development have been shared. Back in November 2021, Gadot confirmed that the script was completed while the project was still at Paramount and before Jenkins announced her departure as director. It remains unclear if the script she mentioned above is the original one created by Laeta Kalogridis, the creator of Altered Carbon.

Gadot's Cleopatra movie has faced significant criticism due to its casting decision, which has been deemed as another example of whitewashing. Despite Gadot's Israeli background, people expressed concern over her not sharing the mixed-race origins of the historical figure, similar to Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra movie in the 1960s. In defense of her casting, Gadot mentioned that Cleopatra was Macedonian and that they ultimately believed she was the best fit for the role, even though they were originally looking for someone from the region.

Considering these controversies and the uncertainty surrounding its production schedule, it will be interesting to see if Cleopatra can succeed despite its predecessors' difficulties. Netflix's recent Queen Cleopatra faced extensive criticism from both critics and audiences, yet still managed to reach the Top 10 on the streaming platform, indicating a strong interest in taboo projects. With Gadot teaming up with Universal for Fast X, it is hoped that the two parties will engage in meaningful discussions on how to effectively portray the historical figure in the movie.

Source: Vogue