Netflix has halted pre-production on its untitled Hannibal epic starring Denzel Washington as the legendary Carthaginian general, with Antoine Fuqua directing. The project, which had been gearing up to shoot later this year at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios in Italy, has been put on pause as producers and the studio work to resolve budget concerns.
According to Deadline, both sides are actively working to get the film back on track and remain hopeful it can still move forward at Netflix. Pre-production had been picking up momentum in recent weeks, with Netflix meeting with actors to join Washington and Fuqua’s crew scouting locations in Italy before the two sides agreed to halt and address outstanding issues.
The film focuses on the Second Punic War, following Hannibal’s iconic military campaign against the Roman Republic — including his legendary crossing of the Alps with war elephants. The script comes from three-time Oscar nominee John Logan, whose credits include Gladiator and The Aviator, with cinematography by Robert Richardson, a three-time Oscar winner known for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Aviator.
The project marks the sixth collaboration between Washington and Fuqua, a pairing that has produced some of Hollywood’s most enduring hits including the Equalizer franchise and Training Day, which earned Washington the Academy Award for Best Actor. Washington is producing alongside Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm, Todd Black, Clayton Townsend, and Fuqua through his Hill District Media’s first-look deal with Netflix.
Washington’s casting has drawn some international debate, with Tunisian politicians raising concerns about historical accuracy given that Hannibal Barca was of Semitic origin. The conversation hasn’t slowed industry enthusiasm for the project however, which many see as one of the most anticipated films in development given the star power and proven track record behind it.
No timeline has been given for when production could resume. Updates to come as this develops.