Is the Cleopatra remake finally going ahead?

Image by Julita from Pixabay

There has long been talk of a Cleopatra reboot for modern audiences, but there is little information about when it will go ahead. There is a strong chance that it will be made, however, with Gal Gadot set to star in the title role.

If this does come to fruition, it has the potential to be a huge cinematic event. This is not only because the original picture was so popular, but also because ancient Egyptian themes are so prevalent in popular culture now.

Gal Gadot Set to Star in Cleopatra

Ever since Gal Gadot shot to worldwide fame as Wonder Woman, she has been one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. When talk of a modern-day Cleopatra reboot first emerged, there was little discussion about who should play the title role. The 37-year-old is the ideal fit, and there’s no doubt that she would shine as the ancient Egyptian ruler.

When the Cleopatra remake was first reported, there were rumors that Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins would be in line to make it. However, more recent news suggests that Kari Skogland is now in line to sit in the chair for this one. The Canadian is best known for her recent work on the Falcon and the Winter Soldier series on Disney+.

It also appears as though Paramount no longer has the rights to make Cleopatra. Universal is said to be circling and ready to swoop in to take over this highly coveted project. Still, there’s no information about when the movie could be made. An epic of this sort of scale could take years, so there’s no point getting too excited just yet.

Ancient Egyptian Themes Highly Prevalent in Popular Culture

When Cleopatra does eventually hit screens, there’s a good chance that it will be a major blockbuster. The driving factor behind this is the sheer popularity and prevalence of ancient Egypt throughout popular culture. People can’t get enough of this period, and they are desperate to see more of it.

This is highlighted but the abundance of online slot games based on ancient Egypt. The online casino market is one of the most bustling industries on the internet, and developers know what players want. When looking at a UK online casino list of games, you’ll find loads of titles featuring pyramids. These include games like Links of Ra and Legend of Cleopatra Megaways.

The other main reason why Cleopatra could be a mega-hit is because the original picture was such an important piece of cinematic history. The 1963 offering from Joseph L. Mankiewicz was the highest-grossing film in the year of its release, with a take of more than $57.7 million in the USA and Canada alone. This doesn’t sound like much now, but back then, it was an impressive return. However, the only problem for the picture was that it incurred massive production costs.

The original Cleopatra inspired many other similar movies in the years that followed, and there’s a good chance that the remake could have the same effect. With modern filming methods and technology, this one has the potential to be a massive spectacle. The only question is when it will be released. Right now, it doesn’t seem like it will be anytime soon.