The government of Lebanon has reportedly banned “Wonder Woman” from the nation’s movie theaters, just hours before the scheduled premiere in Beirut, apparently because the title character is portrayed by an Israeli citizen, model and actress Gal Gadot.
Like most Israeli citizens, Ms. Gadot has also served a mandatory enlistment in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The decision is largely inconsequential financially, as the comic-book action flick is expected to do well both in U.S. theaters and globally. The Warner Bros. picture was only set to screen in 15 locations in Lebanon, which remains in a state of war with neighboring Israel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Some lucky Lebanese fans did get a chance to screen the film at a sneak preview held Tuesday night, however, THR reported.
“Wonder Woman” is still on tap to premiere in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar on June 1, as well as Oman and Bahrain on June 22 and 29, respectively, Deadline.com reported Wednesday.
First announced to play the Amazonian princess in 2014, Ms. Gadot got her start in modeling and acting after competing as Miss Israel for the Miss Universe crown in 2004. But it was her experience as an IDF combat trainer that played a key part in her locking down the role of Gisele in 2009’s “Fast and Furious,” according to Glamour magazine.
She performed her own stunts in that movie as well as the two additional “Fast and Furious” franchise movies that have followed, according to the Internet Movie Database.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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