Gal Gadot defends Cleopatra casting after ‘whitewashing’ backlash

‘I want to honour this amazing historic icon that I admire so much,’ she said

Gal Gadot has defended her decision to play Cleopatra, following criticism that she is whitewashing the Queen of Egypt.

Israeli star Gadot caused controversy in October when she announced that she would star in and co-produce a forthcoming film about Cleopatra, with critics arguing that an Arab or African actor should play the ancient monarch.

“First of all, if you want to be true to the facts then Cleopatra was Macedonian,” Gadot told BBC Arabic's Sam Asi.

“We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasn’t there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra.”

She added: “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 said others are welcome to make their own films about Cleopatra. “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.”

The criticism of Gadot’s casting in October was met with its own backlash after many on the other side of the debate pointed out that most reports find that Cleopatra is of Greek descent.

Experts remain divided, with a BBC documentary claiming in 2009 she may have mixed ancestry.  

However Kathryn Bard, Professor of Archaeology and Classical Studies at Boston University, said earlier this year: “Cleopatra VII was white – of Macedonian descent, as were all of the Ptolemy rulers, who lived in Egypt.”

Cleopatra has been played by many white actors in the past, most famously by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film.