Universal Studios is set to pick up the Gal Gadot starring Cleopatra which was previously set up at Paramount Pictures Deadline reports. While the latter is still interested in the project the studio is unable to meet the timeline that the movies creative elements necessitate.
Previously the movie was set up at Paramount with Gadot and her Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins helming. However when Jenkins stepped down Kari Skogland who helmed Marvel Studios The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was brought in to take over. Jenkins is still attached to the feature as an executive producer. Furthermore per Deadline no deals are in place at Universal yet.
Laeta Kalogridis wrote the screenplay and is also serving as executive producer. Cleopatra is being produced by Gadot and her Pilot Wave Motion Pictures partner Jaron Varsano along with Atlas Entertainments Charles Roven. Universals interest in the project does not come as a surprise as Roven is currently working with the studio on Christopher Nolans WWII drama Oppenheimer.
WW - 1984 - Gal Gadot
Cleopatra aims to tell the real-life legend of the Egyptian princess who ruled the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC and was its last active ruler. She was the daughter of Ptolemy the Macedonian Greek general and companion of Alexander the Great. When Pompey Roman ruler Julius Caesars mentor-turned-rival fled to Egypt after a war for control of the empire Egypt became a fixation of Roman rulers. Later Cleopatra and her brother battled for the throne of Egypt. However Cleopatra won that internal struggle by appealing personally to Caesar. She had a complicated relationship with Rome becoming the lover of Caesar and later Marc Antony. The latter alliance would become the undoing of both Antony and Cleopatra.
In a February interview with InStyle Gadot spoke about the project. She said I cant reveal a lot but I can tell you that were going to celebrate the Cleopatra story. Were going to show not just how sexy and appealing she was but how strategic and smart and how much impact she had and still has on the world were living in today.
The most successful Cleopatra project to date has been the 1963 film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz that featured Elizabeth Taylor in the titular role along with Richard Burton. The movie won four Academy Awards and was nominated for nine including Best Picture. Gadot said Ive watched all the Cleopatra movies throughout history but I feel like were telling the story the world needs to hear now.
Currently there are no more details available for the project.
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