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Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot Talks About ‘Cleopatra’ Casting

Cleopatra has been a historical figure that has interested people for centuries. The last Pharaoh of Egypt, her story of Caesar and snakes have touched upon history fans for a long time. Cleopatra was played by Elizabeth Taylor years ago and to this day, her mummy has never been found.

There was a time in history where people were using Egyptian mummies as firewood’s and I have a fear that Cleopatra was one of them. Interestingly enough as well, though she was the leader of Egypt, Cleopatra wasn’t actually Egyptian. Yea, I was pretty obsessed with Cleopatra as a kid and have done a school report or two on her.

Which, was why I was pretty excited about Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot being announced to play the historical figure. Unfortunately, her casting garnered some claims of whitewashing. Since Cleopatra was the leader of Egypt, some people want to see an Arabic actress play the character. The Israeli actress defended her casting in a recent BBC interview:

“First of all if you want to be true to the facts then Cleopatra was Macedonian. We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasn’t there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra.”

Gadot continued:

“I have friends from across the globe, whether they’re Muslims or Christian or Catholic or atheist or Buddhist, or Jewish of course… People are people, and with me I want to celebrate the legacy of Cleopatra and honour this amazing historic icon that I admire so much.”

She then added:

“You know, anybody can make this movie and anybody can go ahead and do it. I’m very passionate that I’m going to do my own too.”

Questions Surround Cleopatra’s Background

Cleopatra was the last ruler of the dynasty that was founded by Alexander the Great’s Macedonian general Ptolemy. His descendants ruled Egypt for about 300 years. The fall of the Egyptian empire gave way to the rule of the Roman empire back then. Gone were the days of Egyptian pharaohs such as Nefertiti and Tutankhamen.

Cleopatra was believed to have been white due to the high amount of inbreeding, but living in Egypt for so long, she could have been mixed race. This was according to Dr. Sally Ashton in 2008:

“She probably wasn’t just completely European. You’ve got to remember that her family had actually lived in Egypt for 300 years by the time she came to power.”

A Retort

However, earlier this year, Kathyrn Bard, who is the Professor of Archaeology and Classic Studies at Boston University; claimed Cleopatra was indeed white:

“Cleopatra VII was white – of Macedonian descent, as were all of the Ptolemy rulers, who lived in Egypt.”

Cleopatra and anyone from that time are long dead. And historical artifacts continue to be destroyed. Or they’re simply lost. So, we may never find her mummy and there may always be a mystery surrounding her and many Pharaohs from that time.