Gal Gadot cast as Cleopatra; faces backlash

Gal Gadot is all set to collaborate again with director Patty Jenkins for a historical drama on  Cleopatra, according to media reports.  However, Gadot is an Israeli actor, and some have raised questions regarding whether she is fit to play the role.

Gadot and Jenkins have worked together on 2017's superhero film "Wonder Woman" and its upcoming sequel, "Wonder Woman 1984."

Paramount is the studio behind the Cleopatra film.

Hours after reports confirmed that she will star in the biopic, Gadot took to Instagram to share the news herself and explain that they wanted her story to be told through women's eyes. News of Gadot's casting sparked an online debate over the Egyptian queen's race and skin colour, with some Twitter users insisting that an African actor should play Cleopatra in the upcoming film.

"It's a shame you aren't advocating for African actresses who would better fit the part. Please do better," one commented on Gadot's post on Twitter.

"Cleopatra is an Egyptian queen, last time I checked you were israeli. Tell me, how do you see yourself fit to play this role? Not your story to tell, not your role to play," another user tweeted.

Cleopatra has been portrayed on screen several times. Claudette Colbert and Elizabeth Taylor's takes are the most popular ones. Lyndsey Marshal played Cleopatra in the HBO series "Rome."