Israeli Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has said that her new film will show an unexpected side to Egyptian queen Cleopatra - that she was intelligent as well as attractive.

Speaking to Instyle, the former IDF trainer spoke of her excitement to take on the role and how she could bring a new angle to an iconic historical figure.

She said: "I can tell you that we're going to celebrate the Cleopatra story. We're going to show not just how sexy and appealing she was, but how strategic and smart, and how much impact she had and still has on the world we're living in today.

"I've watched all the Cleopatra movies throughout history, but I feel like we're telling the story the world needs to hear now."

Ms. Gadot also discussed her IDF service, saying that the biggest lesson it taught her was to be less selfish. When asked as part of an Instyle video she replied: "That it’s not about me. I’m not the center of the world. When you’re 18, you feel like the world surrounds you. The army shows you that it actually doesn’t.”

Last year, when Ms. Gadot was announced as playing Cleopatra, she faced backlash from critics who said the role should have gone to an Arabic or African actor. At the time, she told the BBC: “If you want to be true to the facts, then Cleopatra was Macedonian we were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasn’t there."