Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot recently responded to the racist attacks she received following her announcement she would play Cleopatra in an upcoming film from director Patty Jenkins.
Back in October, it was announced Gadot would take on the role of Cleopatra in a “period biographical drama” written by Alita: Battle Angel screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis and directed by Patty Jenkins.
Related: Gal Gadot Faces Waves Of Racist Harassment For Her Casting As Cleopatra In Upcoming Film
The drama is expected to follow the last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt before it came under the rule of the Roman Empire.
Gadot wrote on Twitter, “As you might have heard I teamed up with Patty Jenkins and Laeta Kalogridis 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.”
As many people know, Cleopatra and the Ptolemaic dynasty descended from the Macedonian Greek Ptolemy I Soter and spoke Koine Greek as their native language.
A posthumous painted portrait believed to be of Cleopatra VII of Ptolemaic Egypt that is now located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples depicts the ruler as a white woman with reddish and brown hair.
On top of this Kathryn Bard a Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies at Boston University stated, “Cleopatra VII was white – of Macedonian descent, as were all of the Ptolemy rulers, who lived in Egypt.”
Despite these historical facts, certain sections of the internet attacked Gadot for taking on the role due to her Israeli heritage.
Twitter user Dataracer117 documented a number of individuals who went after Gadot for taking on the role.
As you can see below a number of people told Gadot to die and attacked her with various expletives.
Gal Gadot is recieving harassment for being cast as Cleopatra.
SJW’s are calling her a “dumb white bitch” & “piece of shit Zionist.”
Woke culture being anti-Semitic while not knowing Cleopatra was Greek. pic.twitter.com/fdkjy2xDMn
— Dataracer (@Dataracer117) October 12, 2020
Dataracer would share a number of others in a subsequent tweet where he wrote, “Loads of abuse & racism is being sent to Gal Gadot. Woke media calls it ‘backlash’ completely ignoring the vile harassment.”
Loads of abuse & racism is being sent to Gal Gadot.
Woke media calls it “backlash” completely ignoring the vile harassment. pic.twitter.com/QhaWYhDvDq
— Dataracer (@Dataracer117) October 13, 2020
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Former RT correspondent Sameera Khan attacked Gadot writing, “Which Hollywood dumbass thought it would be a good idea to cast an Israeli actress as Cleopatra (a very bland looking one) instead of a stunning Arab actress like Nadine Nejim?”
Khan added, “And shame on you, Gal Gadot. Your country steals Arab lands & your stealing their movie roles… smh.”
Author Morgan Jerkins wrote, “I’m sure Gal Gadot is going to do a wonderful job as Cleopatra. However, for me personally, I would love a Cleopatra who’s darker than a brown paper bag, because that seems a bit more historically accurate.”
Twitter user sabilaetoile wrote, “you’re a zionist monster b****.”
Another user, SisyphusTired_ wrote, “I seriously hope you suffer in this life and the next.”
He added, “Anyway I have to get back to work but f*** zionists, f*** Gal Gadot, and put some respect on Cleopatra.”
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Gadot responded to these attacks and the controversy over her casting while speaking with BBC Arabic.
As reported by The UK’s Independent, Gadot told BBC Arabic’s Sam Asi, “First of all, if you want to be true to the facts then Cleopatra was Macedonian.”
The Wonder Woman actress added, “We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasn’t there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra.”
“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,” Gadot continued.
Gadot then challenged other people to follow their own passions and make their own films, “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.”
What do you make of Gadot’s response to these attacks and the controversy surrounding her casting?