Lebanon's economy ministry says it has asked the country's security agency to ban the 2017 movie Wonder Woman because its lead actress, Gal Gadot, is an Israeli.
A senior security official says no formal request has been received yet, and that the ban would require a recommendation from a six‑ministry‑member committee.
Posters of the film have appeared on the streets of Beirut. At least one cinema has an advance screening today, including free popcorn for members.
Lebanon is officially at war with Israel and has a decades‑old law that boycotts Israeli products and bars Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contact with Israelis.
Supporters of the boycott took to social media to campaign against the movie.
The movie is based on a comic book character introduced in 1941, fighting villains, rescuing victims and unearthing evil plots.
Gal Gadot served in the Israeli army and has rallied against Hamas.
Meanwhile, the summer box office needs saving; will “Wonder Woman” come to the rescue?
It will most likely do its part, as current projections for the Warner Bros. film’s domestic opening weekend stand north of $100 million US.
That’s far above the studio’s more conservative estimate between $65 million and $75 million US.
The movie that begins screening in cinemas today should score as well — its worldwide grosses by the end of the weekend may exceed $175 million US.
Source: Aljazeera
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