by Candy Phillips
Cleopatra is one of the most famous characters in history, with the way that she’s been represented in movies being one of the reasons for her ongoing popularity. The upcoming movie featuring Gal Gadot as the Egyptian Queen may introduce a new audience and give us a new way of looking at here, so what can we expect from it?
The Way Ancient Egypt is Shown in Popular Culture
Ancient Egypt has appeared in many films over the years, from 1980’s Antony and Cleopatra, to more recent efforts like 2016’s Gods of Egypt and the following year’s remake of The Mummy. Egyptian culture has also entered the entertainment in several other ways, with TV shows including Tut and Lost Treasures of Egypt among recent releases.
The prevalence of Ancient Egypt in popular culture even extends to industries such as iGaming. For example, in this casino offering free spins, the Eye of Horus Jackpot King game uses iconic images such as scarabs and ankh crosses as part of the gameplay. Other slots also use this theme, with a focus on characters like Cleopatra and the various Egyptian deities. The instantly recognisable aesthetics and images of Egyptian culture make this one of the most common themes.
One of the most famous representations of Cleopatra is the lavish 1963 production, with Elizabeth Taylor in the lead role. It was the most expensive movie ever made at the time, and certainly helped shape our image of this iconic character. While it was based on Cleopatra’s attempts to avoid the Roman Empire taking over her country, there’s no doubt that the glamorous image of Cleopatra in her luxurious dresses helped make this the definitive version of the Queen for many people. It is this kind of representation that has been repeated throughout popular culture.
The Latest News on the New Film
The latest version of Cleopatra’s story will be directed by Kari Skogland, with Gadot getting a writing credit alongside Laeta Kalogridis. The production period has been riddled with issues, making critics wonder whether it will all go smoothly from here. The story is based on Stacy Schiff’s biography of the Egyptian leader, but filming hasn’t yet started.
Gadot has been keen to point out that Cleopatra was a real “strong female leader”, comparing her to her own portrayal of the fictional Wonder Woman, whom she played in 2017. Gadot said that there is a lot more to Cleopatra than the romantic liaisons that are typically shown in other depictions, and that she wants to make this a respectful portrayal of the famous Egyptian Queen.
The film was announced in 2020, and it seems set to finally move forward into the production phase. Universal Pictures and Atlas Entertainment are developing it, with Morocco recently suggested as the possible destination for filming. No release date has been revealed yet, but the latest stories certainly suggest that it will be going ahead at some point in the near future.
There have been many attempts to portray Cleopatra in movies, although not everyone is convinced that the last Egyptian pharaoh has been accurately shown on our screens yet. We’ll need to wait to see if this Gal Gadot version changes the way we view her legacy.
