Multiple reports suggest that celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Gal Gadot, and renowned filmmakers have shown interest in creating a project centered around the iconic Egyptian queen, Cleopatra.
Brian Helgeland, known for his Academy Award-winning screenwriting, revealed that he was approached to pen a screenplay that combines elements of romance, horror, and political intrigue inspired by Cleopatra’s life. Sony Pictures reportedly reached out to directors David Fincher and Ang Lee, with Angelina Jolie being considered for the lead role in this ambitious production.
Actress Angelina Jolie was once considered for the role of Cleopatra, but the project never came to fruition. Screenwriter Helgeland recently revealed in an interview with Inverse that the film he wrote was a horror-themed exploration of the love triangle between Cleopatra, Caesar, and Marc Antony. Despite the script being close to completion, the project was ultimately shelved.
Helgeland also discussed some of his favorite scenes from the script, such as Cleopatra being in Rome on the day of Caesar’s assassination. According to Helgeland, Caesar’s death was due to his plans to return to Egypt with Cleopatra, although he may not have been aware of the conspiracies against him. Cleopatra, on the other hand, had suspected these machinations for some time.
This new revelation highlights Hollywood’s long-standing interest in reimagining Cleopatra, contrasting with the classic 1963 film starring Elizabeth Taylor which almost bankrupted 20th Century Fox due its massive budget. Over 10 years ago, Jolie expressed her desire to portray Cleopatra accurately, emphasizing her intelligence, strength as a mother, and leadership qualities beyond her beauty. Jolie aimed to depict Cleopatra as a historical figure, not just a sexualized symbol, acknowledging that her portrayal would differ from Taylor’s iconic performance.
Elizabeth Taylor can be seen in a photo from 1963 as an actress. While there was controversy surrounding a Netflix documentary about the queen’s skin color in 2023, no new projects have actually been invested in. Patty Jenkins, the director of Wonder Woman, had expressed interest in developing a project revolving around Cleopatra a few years ago, with Gal Gadot being considered for the role. Gadot mentioned that they aim to portray Cleopatra as not only sexy and attractive but also intelligent and strategic, providing a fresh perspective on the iconic queen.
Denis Villeneuve, known for the film Sand Planet, has also shown interest in creating his own Cleopatra movie. This project gained momentum when rumors surfaced earlier this year that Krysty Wilson-Cairns, the screenwriter of 1917, was working on the script for Villeneuve, with Zendaya being eyed for the lead role. The exact start date for production on Villeneuve’s Cleopatra film is still uncertain, given the filmmaker’s involvement in other high-profile projects, including a third Sand Planet installment.
When asked about his thoughts on the new versions of Cleopatra, Helgeland mentioned that he is not involved unless his script is used, in which case he would be pleased. It seems that the retelling of Cleopatra’s story in film is gaining traction, with various filmmakers and actors showing interest in bringing this iconic figure to life on the big screen.
