Denis Villeneuve is rapidly becoming regarded as one of the top Hollywood blockbuster directors, with his Dune duology elevating him to new heights over the last few years. There were widespread reports that after Dune: Part Two, the director would turn his attention to a modern retelling of Cleopatra.
However, the critical and commercial success of his latest sci-fi, the 57-year-old has now stated that he plans to make a third installment in the Dune franchise. Does that mean Cleopatra will be put on the backburner, or will he be able to make both pictures in the next few years?
Cleopatra Offering with Zendaya Could be a Mega Hit
Fans have found the prospect of a Zendaya-led Cleopatra movie tantalizing, with the 28-year-old now one of the most sought-after stars in the business. News of this potential picture started spreading back in 2023, and the names involved have not denied the rumors. Indeed, there’s been widespread belief in the industry that the film will happen.
It would make a lot of sense to release a Cleopatra movie in the modern entertainment climate, as the Egyptian queen is well-known and represented across endless media. There have been countless documentaries over the years, with Queen Cleopatra on Netflix recently giving viewers a taste of what the iconic ruler was all about. She’s also been represented in games, and most famously acted as a key figure in Pharaoh. In the bet casino market, there have been various titles based on the ruler too, with Slingo Cleopatra one of the latest to use her legendary image on the reels.
Online Slingo is a new category in the iGaming market, with the games combining elements of slots and bingo. There aren’t as many titles to choose from as there are with slots, so it’s testament to Cleopatra’s popularity that developers have chosen to use her as a theme already. As her resounding appeal is evident across all different forms of media, if a modern Cleopatra movie is released it will surely attract a huge audience.
Director Says He Wants to Focus on Dune 3
There’s bad news for anyone hoping that production for Cleopatra is set to get underway now that Villeneuve is done with Dune: Part Two, as the director has recently stated that his plans have changed. However, it’s excellent news for people who love the sci-fi adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels, as the director has announced that he’s keen on starting a third Dune installment immediately.
He had been planning on taking a break from the franchise after being heavily involved with it for more than five years. Indeed, Villeneuve’s last work before Dune in 2021 was the 2017 offering, Blade Runner 2049. That highlights how wrapped up in this world he’s been, and how it could be time for him to take some well-earned respite from it all.
It could also be argued, though, that now is the perfect time to capitalize on the success of the other two movies and hit audiences with a third while the story is still fresh in their minds.
The Cleopatra movie could still happen at some point, but it now looks as though Villeneuve will prioritize the Dune franchise. Luckily, there’s talk of another Cleopatra movie with Gal Gadot in the starring role, and this may end up coming to fruition first.