After several years of ups, downs and developments, Denis Villeneuve is now moving forward with the biographical movie about one of the most significant female figures in history: the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra.

The acclaimed director, also known for “Dune”, recently commented in an interview with Vanity Fair that he has several projects pending, and one of them is the highly anticipated production about the mysterious Egyptian queen.

The script is being written by Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Last Night in Soho) and David Scarpa, who described the title as “a political thriller full of action and intrigue”. Check out what is known so far…

Who are the cast of Cleopatra?

If the rumors are true, “Cleopatra” will be starred by none other than Zendaya, so we would be seeing her in the role of the enigmatic queen who swore that no man would ever discover her tomb.

As the project is still in development, the complete cast list for the dramatic biopic has not been confirmed, but there are already some speculations and negotiations about major industry names.

Apparently, Timothée Chalamet might play Octavian Augustus and Daniel Craig is being considered for the role of Julius Caesar. If this comes to fruition, we would be looking at a star-studded cast.

What is Cleopatra about?

The film is a new interpretation of the life of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. It will be based on her life, but the director mentioned that his intention is to approach her legacy from a visceral and dark perspective.

This will contrast with the more traditional portrayals of the queen in the history of cinema, promising a unique approach by blending Villeneuve’s distinctive visual style with a deep narrative.

When could Cleopatra be released?

Well, so far the official release date for “Cleopatra” remains a mystery. However, during an interview in 2020, director Denis Villeneuve spoke about his filming and release plans. He said:

“I also have a historical film project about the life of Cleopatra. It’s underway, and I am very excited about it. I hope to bring it to the big screen before or after filming the second part of ‘Dune’“.

So, now that it’s been confirmed that the title is in progress, we might assume that production would start sometime in 2025 and that it would reach the big screen in 2026, making it one of the most anticipated films.