Overall, the film has garnered favorable feedback, with Gadot specifically earning acclaim.
In 2018, Gal Gadot was thrilled to be cast alongside Arnie Hammer in Kenneth Branagh’s thrilling adaptation of Agatha Christie’s story ‘Death on the Nile.’ As she soared to new heights following the success of her breakout role as Wonder Woman, it appeared that her journey as a versatile actress had truly begun.
Branagh stands out as a top director in the industry today, receiving high praise from critics and audiences alike. Along with being a talented actor, his upcoming film Belfast is already gaining early Oscar buzz. Following the success of his adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, he set his sights on a new mystery aboard a luxury cruise in Egypt.
Gadot seemed to have struck gold with her role in Death on the Nile. The film boasted a large budget, extravagant costumes, stunning locations, and a star-studded cast including Armie Hammer, Jennifer Saunders, and Annette Bening. In this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, Gadot portrayed the captivating Linnet Ridgeway, caught in a love triangle with Armie Hammer and Emma Mackey’s characters. This role required Gadot to shine in elegant gowns while also showcasing her natural charm on screen.
However, the film faced unexpected delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scandalous allegations against Hammer. Despite these setbacks, Death on the Nile was set to be a significant milestone in Gadot’s career, highlighting her talent and versatility on the big screen.
Kenneth Branagh both directed and had a role in the film. The filming took place mainly in England and Morocco, which stood in for Egypt, and wrapped up in December 2019 before the pandemic hit. Theaters worldwide remained closed for much of 2020, so a big Christmas release was not possible in either 2020 or 2021.
Armie Hammer, who was rising as a Hollywood star alongside Gal Gadot, faced scandal in early 2021 when several women accused him of violent sexual abuse. This scandal went viral as much of the world was on lockdown. Despite denying any non-consensual encounters, one woman accused him of rape in March 2021, leading to an investigation by the LAPD. His agent dropped him, and he was replaced in various upcoming projects. Vanity Fair linked his troubles to his family’s controversial history, emphasizing his relation to oil tycoon Armand Hammer.
Producers of “Death on the Nile” considered recasting Hammer’s role due to the scandal, but reshooting was not feasible due to the ensemble cast. The film’s release amidst Hammer’s scandal raises questions about audience reception, but producers hope the star-studded cast will draw viewers back into theaters post-Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The movie faced a ban in Kuwait due to backlash over Gadot’s role, reflecting the government’s stance against normalizing relations with Israel. Despite this, the film received positive reviews overall, with Gal Gadot’s performance earning praise. Gadot has landed high-profile roles in other projects, including the popular Netflix film “Red Notice,” with upcoming roles in “Heart of Stone,” a Cleopatra remake, a new Snow White film, and “Wonder Woman 3,” ensuring her career continues to thrive.