The One Role Angela Bassett Dreams of Playing

Angela Bassett has played many powerful women on screen, but there’s one role she’s always dreamed of.

When Coveteur asked her about it, she didn’t hesitate. “The legend of her power, intellect, and beauty really draws me to her story, and I would love to explore that on the screen,” Bassett said. She was talking about Queen Nefertiti, one of the most famous queens of Egypt’s 18th dynasty.

Nefertiti was no ordinary ruler. Alongside her husband, King Akhenaton, she helped lead a religious revolution and became one of the most influential figures of her time. Her life is still partly a mystery.

Her tomb has never been found, and most of what remains of her story is speculation. Her famous bust, now in Berlin, is one of the few reminders of her power and beauty, standing as a symbol centuries later.

Even though her story is shrouded in mystery, Nefertiti has become an icon in modern Black culture. Artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna draw on her image, celebrating her beauty, strength, and legacy.

Hollywood, however, hasn’t done her story justice. The only significant movie about Nefertiti was the 1961 Italian film Queen of the Nile, which cast Jeanne Crain in the role.

Bassett also spoke about the importance of telling stories about strong women. She told Coveteur, “My hope is that Hollywood will continue to shine a light on these important women who have shaped history.”

The actor has already proven she can bring historical figures to life. She won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in 1994 for What’s Love Got to Do with It, showing that audiences want to see strong, complex women at the center of stories.

Taking on Nefertiti would continue her legacy and give a powerful historical figure the recognition she deserves.

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