Netflix has paused development of “Hannibal” while director Antoine Fuqua, Denzel Washington, and the film’s producing team work through financial challenges, according to Variety.
The film was gearing up for a summer shoot in Italy. John Logan wrote the script, which centers on the Carthaginian general widely regarded as one of history’s greatest military commanders.
“The film covers the pivotal battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War,” per the official logline.
Fuqua and Washington have built one of Hollywood’s most bankable partnerships.
The two previously collaborated on “Training Day,” “The Equalizer,” and “The Equalizer 2.” “Hannibal” falls under Fuqua’s first-look deal with Netflix, which he signed in 2021 after the success of “The Guilty,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
At the time, Fuqua said working with Netflix was “such a rewarding experience, both from an artistic and collaborative point of view.”
He added that he was “beyond excited to continue this relationship and expand our slate of films with a partner that shares our vision at Hill District Media.”
Netflix called Fuqua “an impactful storyteller who believes art can create meaningful change in the world.”
Washington recently teamed with Ridley Scott for “Gladiator II” and Spike Lee for “Highest 2 Lowest,” while Fuqua turned “Michael” into one of the year’s biggest theatrical successes.
The Michael Jackson biopic has generated more than $850 million worldwide, and producers have already begun developing a sequel.
eurweb.com
