Production on Denzel Washington’s upcoming Hannibal film has been halted, with budget concerns putting the project on hold. The untitled historical epic war movie, which was scheduled to shoot in Italy this summer, has been suspended by the producer and studio to resolve financial issues. Film directors from both sides are working to get production back on track in hopes that the film can go ahead.According to Deadline, the hiatus came after the two sides failed to agree on the budget needed to move forward with the ambitious production. The studio did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
what is Denzel Washington Hannibal movie about
The film will star Washington as the Carthaginian general Hannibal, considered one of the most famous military commanders in history. The screenplay is written by Oscar winner John Logan, known for ‘The Aviator’ and ‘Gladiator’, and will focus on Hannibal’s battles against the Romans during the Second Punic War. Washington also serves as a producer on the project.‘The Equalizer’ director Antoine Fuqua is helming the film, and should it eventually be released, it will be his sixth collaboration with Washington. The duo recently worked on the 2023 thriller sequel ‘The Equalizer 3’.Washington, 71, has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won two in his nearly five-decade career, best supporting actor in 1990 for ‘Glory’ and 2002 for ‘Training Day’.
Antoine Fuqua’s box office success with ‘Michael’
Fuqua has teamed up with the Hannibal project for ‘Michael’, the King of Pop’s biopic that has grossed $850 million and counting at the global box office. The film grossed nearly $40 million in US theaters on its opening day in April, becoming a major commercial success despite a mixed reception.Many took issue with the film’s decision to end Jackson’s story in 1988, years before numerous child sex abuse allegations against the singer surfaced, with many saying it sidelined his complicated legacy. Despite the mixed response, the film was a huge hit with the audience, garnering huge numbers at the box office during its opening weeks.With the project on hold at Netflix, it remains to be seen if the budget issues can be resolved in time to keep the film’s planned timeline on track.
