Israeli superstar actress Gal Gadot (35) is renowned for her beauty (Miss Israel 2004) and acting chops. In addition to playing Wonder Woman in the 2017 blockbuster film by the same name, Gadot has appeared in several other movies, including Fast & Furious (2009), Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), and Justice League (2017).
The latest news: Gadot has been picked to star in the upcoming Paramount film Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. The fact that an Israeli Jew will be playing the queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom is ironic in and of itself. (We should note that the classic 1863 movie Cleopatra starred Elizabeth Taylor, a convert to Judaism.) However, that is not the main cause of the controversy surrounding Gadot’s new role.
The casting of a White woman to play someone many consider to be of Black African descent has raised charges of whitewashing. On the other hand, some scholars of ancient Egypt dispute the notion that the historical Cleopatra was Black.
Quotes: “I definitely have a strong sense of my Jewish and Israeli identity. I did my two-year military service; I was brought up in a very Jewish, Israeli family environment, so of course my heritage is very important to me.” | “I think women are amazing for being able to show what they feel. I admire women who do. I think it’s a mistake when women cover their emotions to look tough. I say let’s own who we are and use it as a strength.”
Sources: Wikipedia, BrainyQuote
Learn more about Gal Gadot on Wikipedia. >>
Watch “73 Questions With Gal Gadot | Vogue” [12:53]. >>
Watch “Gal Gadot Teaches You Hebrew Slang | Vanity Fair” [5:43]. >>
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