At this rate the pre-production history of the long-gestating Gal Gadot headlined Cleopatra movie will be more eventful than the life of its subject, with the news that Universal are considering taking the project off Paramount’s hands.
Having already lost Patty Jenkins due her hectic schedule that includes Star Wars: Rogue Squadron and Wonder Woman 3, Deadline are reporting that the historical epic is now being circled by Universal and that sources say this is down to Paramount not being prepared to meet the timeline that the creative elements necessitated.
While Jenkins is still attached in a producer role on the film, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier EP/director Kari Skogland is now helming the project.
Cleopatra was Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt and its last active ruler. She was a descendant of Ptolemy, and is known for her complicated relationship with Rome and for becoming the lover of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. The last major film to focus on Cleopatra was the 1963 classic starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It went on to receive nine nominations at the 36th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won four awards.
Let us know whether you’re looking forward to eventually seeing Gadot’s Cleopatra, or whether you’d be happy to see this one lost in development hell by heading to our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Originally published June 20, 2022. Updated June 22, 2022.
