Angelina Jolie As Cleopatra

The web is all a flutter with news of sex symbol Angelina Jolie as Cleopatra in Hollywood’s latest remake. Comparisons to Liz Taylor cannot be avoided as both women have lead controversial lives. Jolie fell in love with Brad Pitt on the set of Mr. & Mrs Smith and Taylor fell out of love with Eddie Fisher and in love with Richard Burton. This reinvisioning has the potential to be successful; however there appears to be a bit of a backlash. Essence and Clutch Magazine claim the famous Egyptian queen was not White and there appears to be evidence to support this claim.

Yet historians throughout the years have had a difference of opinion. Citing as an ancestor of Ptolemy I, Cleopatra was more than likely of Greek decent as there was no mixing of the blood lines. Let it be known that neither side of the argument can produce the origins of Cleopatra’s mother. But we do know the queen’s sister Princess Arsinoe was indeed African and considered to be a member of the Ptolemy dynasty.

This wouldn’t be the first time Angelina’s name has come up in a race debate. Cast in the film A Mighty Heart as Daniel Pearl’s bi-racial widow, Mariane Pearl. Jolie donned a curly wig, bronzed skin and dark contacts. Labeled as modern day Black Face, although her performance was critically acclaimed, her portrayal of Pearl didn’t go over well with audiences and the film failed to succeed at the box office.

I think the reaction surrounding Jolie’s Cleopatra is very telling. As the movie viewing audience becomes more diverse and cognizant of Non-White actors in starring roles, with this acceptance comes a yearning for thespians of different ethnic backgrounds. This in addition to the many versions that have been done, this latest account could be a tough sell.

Perhaps it would behoove the studios to make a film about Nefertiti instead.