The last we heard about Angelina Jolie and the “Cleopatra” project that surfaced earlier this year she said, “….if we can get the story right and do the real story — there’s a lot her that’s never been covered yet, if we can do something original, we will.” And it looks like they’ve found a way.
Deadline reports that serious talks are underway for James Cameron to direct Angelina Jolie in a 3D “Cleopatra.” The impetus for the sudden movement on the project? Brian Helgeland’s adaptation of Stacy Schiff’s recently published “Cleopatra: A Life” is being described as a “brilliant script deserving of epic treatment” all about “what the Romans took from Egypt.” Sony co-chair Amy Pascal is eager to get this one going, well aware of the cost of such an undertaking, but willing to dive in if only to “own” the franchise that is Angelina Jolie herself (remember, the studio also released “Salt” earlier this year).
As for James Cameron, while he does have a handful of projects on his plate (including the long gestating “The Dive”), this is apparently the only project he’s taking a hard look at other than the developing “Avatar” sequel. Producer Scott Rudin, who acquired the rights to Stacy Schiff’s book, has been working with Jolie in developing the project.
If it goes forward, plans are to get it in front of cameras in 2011. And if it does, it mostly likely means Steven Soderbergh’s adventurous, musical “Cleopatra” will have to be shelved for a long while (it was nearly made in early 2009 before Hugh Jackman pulled out causing the production to come apart like a house of cards). While dueling projects are not rare in Hollywood, Steven Soderbergh is not likely to play chicken with James Cameron (and the two are sort of buds anyway, with Cameron producing “Solaris”).
So, the next great 3D achievement by James Cameron or another hugely expensive, cautionary tale (let’s not forget the lurid story of Liz Taylor’s “Cleopatra” which nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox)? Guess we’ll soon find out.