Denis Villeneuve is one of the most prolific directors working in Hollywood. His work over the years proves his expertise in the cinematic medium. Starting out with small indie projects, the director rose to fame with Incendies followed by Enemy and Prisoners. Every film that he has helmed has an enigmatic quality to itself. The visuals draw you in and the inspiring sound design and editing makes sure that you’re captivated by the story at all times. According to me, the filmmaker peaked during 2016 and 2018 where he made two of the best sci-fi films ever to bear witness by man – Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. Dune released in 2021 was my favorite film of the year, although not Villeneuve’s best. It was clear that the story is incomplete and a part two is necessary.
Dune: Part Two was supposed to release this year but thanks to the Hollywood strikes, Warner Bros. pushed it to next year. This is fine but do you ever wonder what after the Dune sequel? What is Villeneuve’s next? Well, there is an answer to that question.
Cleopatra: Villeneuve To Continue Working With Zendaya And Timothee Chalamet
Daniel Richtman who is an industry insider has once again leaked some major news. He has unearthed a production sheet through his sources and it reveals Villeneuve’s next film after Dune 2. According to him, Cleopatra will be Denis Villeneuve’s next, for Sony Pictures. Previously, the filmmaker and the studio collaborated on Blade Runner 2049, however, the film turned out to be theatrical bomb. The screenplay is said to be written by David Scarpa (Napoleon) and based on the best-selling book by Stacey Schiff.
Production is supposed to begin sometime in 2024, after Dune 2 has released. The film is set to focus on Cleopatra’s meteoric rise in Egypt thanks to her skills as a seductress. We all know there is already one film based on the young queen of Egypt – Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, but I doubt Villeneuve’s iteration will bear any resemblance to the 1963 period epic. Here’s where things get more exciting. According to the sheet presented by Richtman, Zendaya has already accepted the titular part.
Timothée Chalamet has been offered the role of Octavius and Daniel Craig is being sought for Caesar. Back in 2020, before embarking the journey of making Dune, Villeneuve revealed to the local outlet TVA that Cleopatra is his next, “There is of course the second part of Dune, which I hope I have the chance to shoot eventually. But I also have a historical film project on the life of Cleopatra. This project is underway and it excites me a lot. I hope I can bring it to the screen before or after filming the second part of Dune.”
Movie based on Cleopatra generally finds a large audience as the last time when Hollywood tried it, the film emerged as the highest grosser of 1963. However, unlike the 1963 film this new adaptation won’t have a huge runtime of 4 hours and 8 minutes. Scarpa (writer) has mentioned that the script is a “political thriller. Dirty, bloody, lots of people swearing and having sex and all of that other stuff and just a two-hour, lean, mean political thriller, full of assassinations, etc. Just going the opposite direction from the way we think that movie is going to go.”
Based on Scarpa’s description of the film, an A rating seems inevitable. For now none of the above mentioned details are confirmed by sources, so, please take it with a pinch of salt. There is of course no release date for Cleopatra at this moment. But, one thing is clear ever since Dune, Villeneuve is not able to move away from deserts.
Dune: Part Two premieres exclusively in theaters on March 15th, 2024.
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