She obviously can’t get too specific, butGal Gadotis shedding some new light on her upcomingCleopatramovie. Originally, Gadot was set to reunite withWonder Womanhelmer Patty Jenkins, who’d be serving as director of this project as well. It was recently announced that Jenkins will now be producing the film and Kari Skogland (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) had come on board to direct the feature.
The story of Cleopatra is one that’s been told time and time again over the years, from books to movies and everything in between. This poses a challenge when creating a new film, as Gadot and Skogland will be tasked with bringing something unique to the table for this newCleopatrato stand on its own. Speaking about the movie withInVerse, Gadot teased that the story will delve into how cunning Cleopatra was along with the former ruler’s everlasting legacy.
“I can’t reveal a lot, but I can tell you that we’re going to celebrate the Cleopatra story,” Gadot says. “We’re 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 we’re living in today. I’ve watched all theCleopatramovies throughout history, but I feel like we’re telling the story the world needs to hear now.”
Related:New Cleopatra Details Reveal Strong Connection to Wonder Woman & Patty Jenkins' Monster
Paramount Hopes to Replicate the Success of Elizabeth Taylor’s Film
One of the most famous adaptations of the queen of Egypt’s life story is the 1963 film Cleopatra by director Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Starring Elizabeth Taylor in the titular role, the movie also starredRichard Burton, Rex Harrison, Roddy McDowall, and Martin Landau. At the time, Taylor set a new record with her $1 million paycheck for doing the movie with Cleopatra also setting the then-record as the most expensive movie ever made at $31 million (keeping in mind this is 1963 money). The project even bankrupted the studio.
Cleopatrawas the highest-grossing film of 1963 with critics largely responding positively to the film. It was also up for a slew of Oscars at the Academy Awards, which includes a nomination for Best Picture and wins for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Costume Design. With the right director and star, the possibility is always there for a newCleopatramovie to have similar success, and Paramount is moving full steam ahead with Gal Gadot and Kari Skogland.
Laeta Kalogridis (Alita: Battle Angel,Shutter Island) is penning the script for Gadot’sCleopatrafilm and also serves as an executive producer. Producing the film are Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven, Patty Jenkins, and Gal Gadot, and her partner Jaron Varsano under their Pilot Wave Motion Pictures banner.
This project is said to be a top priority for Paramount, but a release date hasn’t been revealed with no new word on when filming might begin. The reported plan is for theCleopatramovie to see a release sometime in 2023. Until then, Gadot’s fans can next see the futureCleopatrastar appear in Kenneth Branagh’sDeath on the Nile, coming to theaters on Jun 15, 2025.
