Netflix has paused pre-production on Hannibal, the historical epic set to star Denzel Washington and be directed by Antoine Fuqua, while budget issues are worked out, according to reports.
The film had been preparing to begin shooting later this year in Italy, with Washington cast as the Carthaginian general Hannibal and Fuqua attached to direct. Production plans have now been put on hold as the filmmakers and Netflix review financial concerns. The project is still expected to move forward at the streamer once those issues are resolved.
The screenplay comes from Oscar-winning writer John Logan, whose credits include The Aviator and Gladiator. Washington is producing alongside Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm, Todd Black, Clayton Townsend and Fuqua, through Fuqua’s Hill District Media first-look deal with Netflix. The executive producers include Scott Greenberg, Kat Samick, Katia Washington, Frank Moll and Jeremy Lott. The production was previously expected to be largely based at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios.
Hannibal would mark the sixth collaboration between Fuqua and Washington. Their partnership began with the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, which earned Washington the Academy Award for Best Actor. They most recently worked together on The Equalizer 3 in 2023, another production that filmed mainly in Italy.
Fuqua is currently coming off the box office success of Michael, his Michael Jackson biopic, which has reportedly grossed more than $800 million worldwide. Despite the pause on Hannibal, the project remains in development at Netflix as the team continues to address the budget concerns that prompted the delay.
Deadline first reported the production hold, while Variety had previously reported that the film would be centered in Rome and shot largely at Cinecittà Studios.
