Black Twitter blasts Angelina Jolie for portraying Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra in upcoming film

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For the second time in her career, Angelina Jolie is set to portray a black woman (the first time was  her role as Mariane Pearl in A Mighty Heart).


According to an interview conducted by the BBC, Jolie revealed that she will retire from acting after portraying the Egyptian queen Cleopatra in an upcoming film.


For centuries, there have been debates over the race of Queen Cleopatra. She ruled in Egypt starting in 51 B.C. Although she spent time in Rome, Cleopatra’s family lived in Egypt for 300 years, according to Egyptologist Sally Ann Ashton. As a result, it was highly likely that Cleopatra was black and of African descent.

But Hollywood has whitewashed Cleopatra for years. Elizabeth Taylor starred as Cleopatra in 1961 and Jolie will follow with an inaccurate portrayal of the Egyptian ruler.


Moments after it was revealed that Jolie will star as Cleopatra, black Twitter displayed disapproval.

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