Gal Gadot Promises Cleopatra Will Explore More Than the Pharoh's Famous Allure

Everyone's favorite Pharaoh is heading back to the big screen. Paramount Pictures has won the rights to a new Cleopatra epic. Here's what we know so far about the film.

Gadot promises it will tell Cleopatra's story "through women's eyes."

As opposed to 1963's legendary, Elizabeth Taylor-starring Cleopatra, which was helmed by director Joseph L. Mankiewicz and written by a small group of men, women will lead the charge on this new movie.

When Gadot first announced the project in October 2020, she tweeted that she was working alongside her Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island, Alexander) to bring Cleopatra "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." She added, "And we are especially thrilled to be announcing this on #InternationalDayoftheGirl We hope women and girls all around the world, who aspire to tell stories will never give up on their dreams and will make their voices heard, by and for other women."

For her part, Kalogridis tweeted, "Incredibly excited to get the chance to tell the story of Cleopatra, my favorite Ptolemaic Pharoah and arguably the most famous Macedonian Greek woman in history. Never thought I’d have the opportunity to tell a story like this, with women who have inspired me beyond words."

In late 2021, it was announced that Jenkins would step back from the directing role in order to focus on her other upcoming projects, including Wonder Woman 3. Instead, the project will now be helmed by Kari Skogland, who recently directed the Disney+ Marvel series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Jenkins is reportedly still involved in the project in a less hands-on role.

Later, in an interview for InStyle in January 2022, Gadot expanded on her thoughts, saying, "We're going to show not just how sexy and appealing she was, but how strategic and smart, and how much impact she had and still has on the world we're living in today. I've watched all the Cleopatra movies throughout history, but I feel like we're telling the story the world needs to hear now."

Gadot's casting caused some controversy.

When the project was announced, some called out the casting of Gadot has the iconic Pharoh as whitewashing, arguing that the famed leader should be played by a Black actress. Gadot subsequently spoke out on the issue to BBC Arabic, stating, "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." 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."

It's still early days.

Unfortunately, fans should expect to wait awhile before the new Cleopatra premieres. While Kalogridis reportedly began working on the script in 2020, it's not currently clear when it will go into production, let alone make it to our screens. But rest assured, Town & Country will update this article, should any news surface.

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