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"Wonder Woman" actress Gal Gadot (2017)
Photo: MARIO ANZUONI / REUTERS
Hollywood studio 20th Century Fox almost went bankrupt in 1963 on the last big historical ham about the Egyptian ruler Cleopatra - the production design and costs of the monumental film with Elizabeth Taylor in the leading role and Richard Burton as Mark Anton were too complex and expensive.
Now, according to consistent reports in the US industry press, the Paramount studio has bought the rights to a remake of the story about the mythical queen of antiquity.
According to "Variety" there has been a real bidding battle for the rights, in which Apple, Universal, Warner Bros. and Netflix are said to have participated in addition to Paramount.
No wonder, because the duo behind the new Cleopatra film has already proven that it can succeed in a successful blockbuster with a strong female figure: the Israeli actress Gal Gadot is to take on the lead role, who in 2017 was a comic superhero "Wonder Woman" became famous.
She will also play the legendary heroine in "Wonder Woman 1984", the second part of the DC / Warner franchise, which is due to open in US theaters on December 25th until further notice.
The director of both films, Patty Jenkins, will also direct the new Cleopatra film, Jenkins received a nomination for best director at the 2018 Oscars for "Wonder Woman".
A woman will also be responsible for the Cleopatra script: Laeta Kalogridis wrote the screenplay for Oliver Stone's historical drama "Alexander" and "Shutter Island" by Martin Scorsese.
Rumors of a new screen Cleopatra had been around for some time.
Sony Pictures is said to have planned a remake first with Angelina Jolie, then with Lady Gaga in the lead role, but nothing came of the project at first.
In addition to Elizabeth Taylor, the prestigious role has already been played by Claudette Colbert, Vivien Leigh and Monica Bellucci.
The first cinematic Cleopatra was the US silent film actress Theda Bara in the 1917 film adaptation.
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