Netflix pursued for $2bln by Egyptian jurists in compensation for 'distorting' Cleopatra

A team of Egyptian jurists and archaeologists have demanded two billion dollars from Netflix in compensation for "distorting" Queen Cleopatra and ancient Egypt's image in the streaming giant’s latest historical project.

A letter was sent to UNESCO demanding that Egypt reserves the right to "an initial compensation" amounting to two billion dollars for "distorting Egyptian identity", Egypt Independent reported.

The letter elaborated that the North African nation can choose to pursue legal action in its pursuit to preserve "the tangible and intangible Egyptian heritage, whether ancient or modern."

This comes after Netflix made its plans known regarding a documentary addressing Queen Cleopatra VII.

The documentary sparked international criticism after she was presented as a Black woman.

Zahi Hawass, an Egyptian archaeologist, called out the change in one of his lectures in Los Angeles.

He was met with protests by people calling him out for his refusal to accept Cleopatra as Black.

Protestors targeted him with banners and slogans claiming that he had "fallen for false information".

In a telephonic interview with talk show Hadith al-Qahira regarding the "al-Qahira wal Nas" (Cairo and the People) channel, the archaeologist doubled down on his position stating: "We are not against blacks, and if the same situation happened with the continent of Asia, I would object to them."

He continued this by insisting that Cleopatra was "burgundy in color" rather than dark-skinned, which he claimed was a "fallacy bought into by African Americans.".