Race row erupts over casting of Angelina Jolie as Cleopatra

dailymail.co.uk ^ | June 17, 2010 | Sophie Forbes

[Free ThinkerNY]

She hasn't even been officially confirmed as having the role, but Angelina Jolie is already receiving criticism over her possible portrayal of the legendary Queen of the Nile.

Jolie, who turned 35 last week, is caught up in a racially charged debate over whether the role should of been played by a black woman.

The Egyptian royal was most famously portrayed Elizabeth Taylor in 1963.

The new film's producer, Scott Rudin, previously told USA Today the role is being developed with Angelina in mind as she has 'the perfect look'.

But this statement has angered members of the African American community.

An Essence Magazine online story asks, 'Another White Actress to Play Cleopatra?'

'Honestly, I don't care how full Angelina Jolie's lips are, how many African children she adopts, or how bronzed her skin will become for the film, I firmly believe this role should have gone to a black woman.'

Jolie adopted her daughter Zahara,5, from Ethiopia and gave birth to Shiloh,3, in Namibia. She also has 3 other children with partner, Brad Pitt. Maddox, 8, Pax, 6, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 2.

'Were Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry and Thandie Newton unavailable for auditions that day?' the writer continued.

'Why does Hollywood think it’s even slightly plausible to cast white women in roles that would be more sensible to cast a black actress for? Especially when that role is an African queen.'

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

The judgment of his two eyes? There are statues and such still around.

She was not a classical beauty but she apparently had major SA and a very vivid personality.

[libertarian27]

1,800-year-old Egyptian Portrait

Holy Crap - She was Vulcan!

[grey_whiskers]

Separated at birth? I don't believe it.

Cheers!

[PUGACHEV]

"On the other hand, she wasn’t pretty either. Let’s keep some myths."

Well, she had that something that all men want, apparently.

[Minn]

Cleopatra wasn’t black.

neither was Yul Brynner.

[dfwgator]

Cleopatra wasn’t black.

Neither was James West. Didn't stop them from casting Will Smith as the lead in Wild, Wild West.

[autumnraine]

So I am not sure what Cleopatra’s race was, but while searching I found out Carol Channing’s father was black. That kind of blew me away!

[Clemenza]

I always loved Cleo Jones, but never could “get” Christy Love.

[DJ MacWoW]

They look like white girls to me.

[xkaydet65]

Macedonian actually. Light haired and fair skinned in their original environment.

[oblomov]

I thought Cleopatra was fair skinned, most likely with hazel eyes and light brown or blond hair, like the Athenian Greeks of the day. There was a wide variation in skin tone throughout the Greek Empire, ranging from the very fair-skinned Athenians to bronze-skinned northern Africans. Although the slaves in Egypt may have been darker skinned, not many were “black”, i.e. Nubian, Khoikhoi, or San. The Ptolemaic ruling class was Greek in origin.

[Clemenza]

Carly Simon’s grandmother as well.

[Scotswife]

“If he was right about that, maybe he was right about Obama...naaahhh, couldn’t be.””

SNORT!!!

I see that look flicker in my daughter’s eyes.
Then she rolls them and declares she is becoming “apolitical”.

HAH!

I just tell her she’s on the road to becoming her mom. Slowly but surely. (evil chuckle)

[ladyvet]

Make no mistake you white racist crackers....

[Not A Snowbird]

She also has 3 other children with partner, Brad Pitt. Maddox, 8, Pax, 6, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 2.

Hmm. Maddox, Pax, Knox, Vivienne... that's four children, not three.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Hmm...there are a lot of talented black actresses out there, but I don't think any of them can pull off the personality of Cleopatra as well as Angelina Jolie can...Jolie just has that something. That Cleopatra-esque "essence" if you will. It also helps that she has that global-minded leadership quality in real life.

She oozes sensuality and sexuality. That's what's needed for the role. It's what Elizabeth Taylor had, it's what Angelina has.

I think it's a great pick...

[MattinNJ]

Amazing, isn't it? You mention how Reagan was made of awesome and tell them tales of how Reagan, Thatcher, the Pope, and Walesa brought down the Iron Curtain--and they look at you "Wait. Didn't Gorbachev magnanimously dismantle communism by himself?"

I just shake my head sometimes and go back to being the "old guy" and wonder when that happened.

[traumer]

PRECIOUS....

[mom3boys]

"the role should of been played by"

Ugh! One of my pet peeves! This is written by a journalist?
It should HAVE said: "the role should HAVE been played by..."

You would think a paid journalist would know simple grammar!! And English isn't even MY first language!

[Othniel]

Monica Bellucci as Cleopatra in "Asterix: Mission Cleopatra" was incredible. She would blow Jolie out of the water if they were to go toe-to-toe. Or is that sandal-to-sandal?