Zendaya, the Emmy-winning star of Euphoria and Spider-Man: No Way Home, is set to play the legendary Egyptian queen Cleopatra in a new biopic directed by Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Dune and Arrival. The film, which is based on the best-selling book by Stacy Schiff, will explore Cleopatra’s ruthless rise to power using her skills as a seductress, a strategist, and a survivor.
According to a tweet by insider Daniel Richtman, Timothée Chalamet, who co-starred with Zendaya in Dune, was offered the role of Octavius, the Roman general who became Cleopatra’s enemy after the death of Julius Caesar. Daniel Craig, the current James Bond, is being sought to play Caesar, Cleopatra’s lover and ally. The film is expected to begin production in late 2024.
Cleopatra has been a popular subject for Hollywood adaptations, most famously portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 epic that nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox. However, Villeneuve’s version promises to be a more accurate and nuanced depiction of the historical figure, who was not only a beauty, but also a brilliant leader, a cunning diplomat, and a cultural icon.
Villeneuve, who is known for his visionary and ambitious films, has been in talks to direct Cleopatra since 201712, but the project was delayed due to his commitment to Dune and its sequel. The film will be produced by Sony Pictures, with Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin as producers. David Scarpa, who wrote the screenplay for Villeneuve’s All the Money in the World, will pen the script for Cleopatra.
Zendaya, who is one of the most popular and talented stars of her generation, has expressed her excitement to play Cleopatra, calling it a “dream come true”. She also praised Villeneuve as a “master storyteller” and a “mentor” who has helped her grow as an actor. She said that she hopes to honor the legacy of Cleopatra and inspire young women of color to pursue their dreams.
Cleopatra is expected to be one of the most anticipated and epic films of the decade, with a stellar cast, a visionary director, and a fascinating story. Fans of Zendaya and Villeneuve can look forward to seeing them collaborate for the third time, after Dune and Dune II, which are scheduled for release on November 3, 2023