There has long been talk of a new Cleopatra offering for modern
audiences, and it seems as though it’s finally going to go ahead. Now that
Denis Villeneuve has finished Dune: Part 2, he already has his next major
project in mind. This will be a retelling of Cleopatra’s story, with
Zendaya set for the title role.
A recent report suggests
that Daniel Craig is now on board to play Julius Caesar in the production,
and this could be a good indication that the movie is going ahead.
Denis Villeneuve Set to Direct New Cleopatra Offering
After his success with Dune and Dune: Part 2, Villeneuve is finally
regarded as one of the biggest blockbuster directors in Hollywood. This
status gives him the power to get the approval of major studios for the
pictures he wants to make, and he has long had his sights set on a
contemporary version of Cleopatra.
The director has formed a strong working relationship with Zendaya, who
looks like the ideal star to play the ancient Egyptian ruler. Getting
Craig on board is another sure sign that the movie will be a success at
the box office. The former James Bond actor hasn’t been in a major
blockbuster since No Time To Die in 2021. He did appear in Glass Onion: A
Knives Out Mystery, but this didn’t get a standard release. Instead, it
dropped on Netflix after a one-week limited theatrical release. It’s about
time Craig’s name appeared on a huge blockbuster again.
Fascination with Ancient Egypt in Popular Culture
Aside from having a legendary director and some of the industry’s biggest
stars attached to it, the new Cleopatra movie is likely to be successful
thanks to the popularity of ancient Egyptian themes in the mainstream. The
era has been depicted on countless occasions across a range of media,
including film, television, and gaming.
The ancient Egyptian period is particularly abundant in the online casino
sector. This acts as a great barometer for what’s hot in the mainstream,
as the sector attracts millions of players from all over the world. Among
the many much-loved Egyptian-themed titles on the market, the
Eye of Horus slot
is up there with the best. The game from Blueprint features all the
traditional tropes of the genre and is a major draw for players.
Because of the popularity of ancient Egyptian themes in the entertainment
industry, Cleopatra is likely to attract a sprawling audience. It could
also benefit from the fact that there are other games based on the ruler,
and that she’s one of the most famous figures of the era. Indeed, there
could even be new slot games and console offerings based on Villeneuve’s
movie to help promote it more.
It seems that the wheels are in motion for the new Cleopatra movie now,
and Villeneuve is free to make it after having finished with Dune. With
huge names like Craig likely to star in it and a fascination with the
genre in popular culture, the new offering has the potential to be a
mega-hit.
Production on the movie
could start as soon as late 2024.