The 1917 screenwriter writes Cleopatra for Denis Villeneuve
Krysty Wilson-Cairns replaces David Scarpa, the screenwriter of Napoleon, who was initially hired on the project.
While its highly anticipated Dune: Part Two comes out in a month at the cinema, Denis Villeneuve spoke about his future plans in an interview with Time. He confirmed the good progress of his next film which will be an adaptation of the book Cleopatra: A Life, by Stacy Schiff. He had previously announced that he would make a film outside of the universe of Dune before perhaps producing a third part entitled Messiah. However, this third opus inspired by the work of Frank Herbert has not yet been officially validated by the studio.
Regarding the new information we have about Cleopatra, Villeneuve announced a change of screenwriter. It is Krysty Wilson-Cairnswho wrote 1917 of Sam Mendes, who is now in command of the script. She’s replacing David Scarpawho recently wrote the Napoleon of Ridley Scottinitially engaged on the project.
Denis Villeneuve will direct another film before Dune 3, for his “mental health”
This epic fresco project on the life of the Queen of Egypt dates back to 2017, when Denis Villeneuve had finished with Blade Runner 2049. He was already in discussions with Sony to make a film centered on Cleopatra, and took over from several directors interested in the project such as James Cameron, Paul Greengrass or David Fincher.
In November 2023, the rumor around the film shifts to a potential casting. According to journalist Daniel Richtman (relayed by Le Figaro), she is the young star of Dune, Zendaya, who would be approached to play Queen Cleopatra. The rumor does not stop there since Timothée Chalamet And Daniel Craig would also have been chosen to play the roles of Octavian and Julius Caesar respectively. Except that since then, nothing has been confirmed.
Denis Villeneuve hired Eric Roth for a secret “space and time” project
Denis Villeneuve is not the first director to attempt a major epic on the Egyptian queen, since Cecil B. DeMille made one in 1934. The most famous remains the Cleopatra by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (1963) starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
In parallel with this pharaonic project, Denis Villeneuve is also working on developing an adaptation of a novel by Arthur C. Clark, the author of 2001 a space odyssey. The project is called Meeting with Ramaand the screenwriter Eric Roth (Killers of the Flower Moon) is currently in charge of writing.
But before knowing more about these upcoming films, let’s already enjoy Dune: Part Twoin cinemas on February 28, 2024.
No Dune 4 for Denis Villeneuve: he will stop after The Messiah of Dune
