In a fresh collaboration, Denzel Washington is set to join forces once again with director Antoine Fuqua, known for their previous works on “Training Day” and “Equalizer,” for an untitled Netflix movie centered around the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal, a confirmation from sources at Variety reveals.
The screenplay for this historical epic will be crafted by John Logan, a three-time Academy Award winner acclaimed for his work on “The Aviator” directed by Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.”
The official logline offers a glimpse into the narrative, describing it as an exploration of the life of Hannibal, a revered military strategist celebrated as one of history’s greatest commanders. The storyline delves into the critical battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War.
Notably, Hannibal’s audacious invasion of Italy, mounted on a Northern African war elephant, is a pivotal aspect of the film. Guiding the Carthaginians, he secured significant victories against the Romans, resulting in the occupation of southern Italy for a remarkable 15 years. However, Hannibal’s reign came to an end with the Romans prevailing in the Battle of Zama, following their counter-invasion of North Africa.
Behind the scenes, Denzel Washington takes on the role of producer, collaborating with Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm, and director Antoine Fuqua through Hill District Media’s exclusive deal with Netflix.
Fuqua, having recently directed Washington in the action-thriller “The Equalizer 3,” continues to explore dynamic collaborations with the acclaimed actor.
Simultaneously, Washington is deeply engaged in another war-themed project, namely the upcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.” Although production faced a pause in Morocco due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Scott revealed an ongoing effort, editing 90 minutes of footage during the labor shutdown. The star-studded cast for this anticipated film, scheduled for November 2024, includes Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Pedro Pascal.
Denzel Washington is represented by WME, while Antoine Fuqua is under the representation of LBI Entertainment and WME. Deadline initially broke the news of the Hannibal project.
