'Wonder Woman' still running in Lebanon despite call for boycott because of Israeli actress Gal Gadot

Wonder Woman is the latest DC character to release a standalone film, and it seems to be getting good reviews so far. However, while the whole world has been anticipating the film, such is not the case in one particular country. “Wonder Woman” has been officially banned in Lebanon shortly after the film was scheduled to screen in cinemas.

The ban was prompted by Lebanese group Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon. This is because “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot, who plays the lead role, is an Israeli and a former soldier in the Israeli army.

Numerous Lebanese cinemas including Grand Cinemas announced the said ban on Twitter. The tweets state that “Wonder Woman” has been forbidden and will no longer be showing in all cinemas across the country.

Well, not entirely. According to Deadline, the title is set to play in only 15 locations, which is just a small territory in the overall international box office gross for a movie of this kind. Surprisingly, Lebanon did not extend the ban to previous movies starring Gadot. “Fast 7” earned $1.8 million in the territory, while “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” earned $843,000.

Lebanon and Israel are in an official state of war. Lebanon has laws that boycotting products from Israel and prohibiting Lebanese citizens from travelling or making contact with Israelis. The boycott group has indicated on Facebook that Gadot is a supporter of Israel’s military policies.

Despite this ban, reports say that the movie is still showing across Lebanon despite aggressive prohibition. “Wonder Woman” opens in at least one Beirut cinema, and there are already posters and digital billboards all around the Lebanese capital.

Prior to being cast as Wonder Woman, Gadot has been consistent in praising Israel’s military in the 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict. However, when she was cast as the female superhero, she has kept all social media accounts largely connected to promoting the film. The actress has reportedly been censored to speak about the ban, writes the Times of Israel. Instead, her fans got to see her behind the scenes as she shoots, works out, and transforms into Wonder Woman while wielding a sword and a shield.