MOVIE NEWS – Denzel Washington is reuniting with “Training Day” and “Equilizer” director Antoine Fuqua to play the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal in an untitled Netflix film.

The film will be written by three-time Oscar winner John Logan, who wrote Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator” and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.”

According to the official logline, the film is “based on the real-life warrior Hannibal, widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history. The film depicts the key battles he fought against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War.”

Hannibal invaded Italy riding a North African war elephant. Under his leadership, the Carthaginians won key victories against the Romans, allowing Hannibal to occupy most of southern Italy for 15 years. Hannibal was eventually defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Zama after they launched a counterattack in North Africa.

Along with Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm and Fuqua, Washington is producing the film through a first-look deal between Hill District Media and Netflix.

Fuqua most recently directed Washington in the action thriller “The Equalizer 3,” in which Washington reprises his role as ex-Marine Robert McCall.

Washington is currently involved in another war epic, the upcoming sequel to Scott’s “Gladiator.” The film was put on hold in Morocco due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, but the director recently revealed that he shot 90 minutes during the work stoppage. Washington stars alongside Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Pedro Pascal in the film, which is currently dated for a November 2024 release.

Source: Variety