Gal Gadot to adapt children's novel 'Don't Feed the Lion' about antisemitism into film
“This is a story that feels especially personal to us, both as parents and as a family,” Gadot and her husband and producing partner, Jaron Varsano, said in a joint statement.
Gal Gadot and her husband Jaron Varsano are collaborating with FOX Entertainment Studios and Moriah Media to adapt the children's novel "Don't Feed the Lion" into a film. The novel, written by broadcast journalists Bianna Golodryga and Yonit Levi, tackles the issue of antisemitism from the perspective of a 13-year-old Jewish boy, Theo Kaplan, living in Chicago.
Theo faces prejudice and peer pressure when his soccer idol posts an antisemitic message online that goes viral. Alongside his younger sister Annie and their classmate Gabe, a Korean-American, Theo must navigate discrimination, find support, and decide how to stand up against hatred. The story also centers around Friday-night Shabbat dinners with Theo and Annie's grandparents, highlighting the impact of their grandfather's advice not to "feed the lion" by allowing fear, panic, or hatred to grow.
Golodryga and Levi, who are both Jewish mothers, wrote "Don't Feed the Lion" in response to the growing antisemitism they noticed in the U.S. and the limited resources available to help children and teens understand and confront it. The book was published by Arcadia Children's Books and follows a storyline that resonates with young audiences through relatable characters and experiences.
Golodryga and Levi expressed gratitude to FOX Entertainment Studios, Gal Gadot, and Jaron Varsano for embracing the story's mission and prioritizing its message of courage, empathy, and resistance to hate. They believe the film adaptation will reach a wider audience, further spreading the story's valuable lessons on standing up for what is right and embracing differences.
The collaboration between the creators of "Don't Feed the Lion" and FOX Entertainment Studios marks an important step in addressing the rising antisemitism in the U.S. and sparking important conversations among young people.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
