Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Cleopatra’ Might Be His Next Film, Zendaya Rumored to Star

Love him or hate him, Denis Villeneuve’s filmography is building up as one of the most versatile in the business.

These last 10 years, the Quebecois director has released “Incendies,” “Prisoners,” “Sicario,” “Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049” and “Dune.” All critically-acclaimed with massive fan bases. One can certainly say that Villeneuve’s popularity will very soon eclipse fellow rival Christopher Nolan’s — if it hasn’t already.

With that being said, we are expecting the “Dune” sequel this fall. Then, after that one premieres at Venice, Villeneuve might next go forward with another long-gestating passion project of his: Cleopatra.

Zendaya is rumored to have been mentioned to star in “Cleopatra,” but the project is still in “development.” I bet if ‘Dune 2’ does very well at the box-office this fall, then this will get greenlit very quickly.

Right before shooting “Dune,” Villeneuve had spoken to Montreal outlet TVA, confirming that “Cleopatra” was very much on the way:

“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."

There has already been a famous Cleopatra movie released. That one starred Elizabeth Taylor and received mixed reviews in 1963. Its runtime was an astounding 4 hours and 8 minutes! It was 1963’s highest grossing film and, despite some inaccuracies, it is considered a fairly accurate look at Ancient Egypt during the time of the last active pharaoh.

Villeneuve is said to be using a screenplay by David Scarpa, Eric Roth and Brian Helgeland. Scarpa 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.”

A hard R rating is inevitable.