Gal Gadot Talks 'Cleopatra' Amid Backlash Over Her Casting

Gal Gadot seemingly responded to the backlash over her casting as Cleopatra in an upcoming biopic by sharing a message aimed toward girls.

"Wonder Woman" duo Patty Jenkins and Gadot are teaming up together for a new "Cleopatra" biopic. However, the decision to cast Gadot as the Egyptian queen was met with criticism from some who believe the role should have been offered to an African actress.

Hours after reports confirmed that she will star in the "Cleopatra" biopic, Gadot took to Instagram to share the news herself and explain that they wanted her story to be told through women's eyes.

"As you might have heard I teamed up with Patty jenkins and Leata 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," she wrote on Sunday.

"And we are especially thrilled to be announcing this on International Day of the Girl! 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. #cleopatra #internationaldayofthegirl," she added.

Jenkins will be directing "Cleopatra" from a script penned by Laeta Kalogridis, who also wrote scripts for "Alexander" and "Shutter Island."

News of Gadot's casting sparked an online debate over the Egyptian queen's race and skin color, with some Twitter users insisting that an African actress 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.

"Nope. Cleopatra was African. This is a disgrace," another wrote.

"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," a third user tweeted.

Others came to Gadot's defense, saying that Cleopatra is of Greek ancestry so there is no problem letting the actress portray her onscreen.

"Cleopatra was from Greek/ Macedonian descent. Not African, not black. Gal is the best choice being Mediterranean like Cleopatra was," one commented.

"She wasn’t black, and Gal isn’t white. Cleopatra was Greek," another wrote.