Wonder Woman film banned in Lebanon over Gal Gadot's nationality

Lebanon has banned Wonder Woman from theatrical release because the title character is played by Israeli actress Gal Gadot.

A formal request to ban the DC Comics adaptation was first made by the Middle Eastern country's Ministry of Economy and Trade, which oversees a long-standing policy of boycotting Israeli exports considered "enemy attempts to infiltrate our markets".

Lebanon and Israel are officially still at war, but have been engaged in a ceasefire since 2006.

Gadot was formerly in the Israeli army, as military service is compulsory in the country.

The 32-year-old was crowned Miss Israel in 2004 and went on to star in four Fast and Furious films before first playing Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

"The movie has nothing to do with Israel," film distributor Tony Chacra told Reuters, adding the ban was "very frustrating".

Cinemagoers in Lebanon have also expressed frustration on social media.

Newshub.

Contact Newshub with your story tips:
news@newshub.co.nz