Angelina Jolie’s epic Cleopatra movie that never was
In the world of Hollywood, ambitious projects often come and go without ever seeing the light of day. One such project that captured the imagination of many was Angelina Jolie’s proposed Cleopatra movie. The Queen of the Nile has always been a fascinating figure in history, and Jolie was set to take on the challenge of bringing her story to life on the big screen.
Several years ago, when Jolie was at the height of her box office success with films like “Salt” and “The Tourist,” she began working on what could have been one of the most ambitious projects of her career. A film about Cleopatra, the powerful and enigmatic ruler of Egypt, was in the works at Sony Pictures. The idea of a new Cleopatra movie had been in development for years, with various screenwriters and directors showing interest in the project.
One of the original screenwriters of this version of Cleopatra, Brian Helgeland, revealed that the film was going to be an epic production of massive proportions. The script explored Cleopatra’s romances with Caesar and Mark Antony, while also delving into her political prowess and intelligence. This version of Cleopatra was not going to be a typical Hollywood romance, but a complex and layered portrayal of a historical figure who was much more than just a seductress.
Angelina Jolie, who was set to star in the film, saw Cleopatra as a role that could showcase her acting talent like never before. She recognized the potential of the project to be a defining moment in her career, allowing her to explore the depths of a character who was both powerful and vulnerable. Jolie believed that Cleopatra could be the film that she would be remembered for, a role that could elevate her beyond the traditional action heroines she had played in the past.
However, despite all the excitement and potential surrounding the Cleopatra project, the movie never materialized. Various directors and screenwriters came and went, and the project ultimately stalled. While the reasons for the film’s failure to launch are unclear, it seems that Cleopatra will remain a lost opportunity for Angelina Jolie.
Although the epic Cleopatra movie with Angelina Jolie is no longer a possibility, the project has not been entirely abandoned. Director Denis Villeneuve is reportedly working on a new version of the film, based on a script he is writing with screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Carins. The new Cleopatra movie is still in development, but without Angelina Jolie attached.
For Angelina Jolie, Cleopatra may have been the one that got away. A missed opportunity to showcase her talent in a role that could have been her crowning achievement in Hollywood. While the project may be a distant memory now, the legacy of what could have been remains, a tantalizing glimpse of a film that never was.