Denzel Washington to Star as Hannibal in Netflix's Historical Epic Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Reuniting with “Training Day” and “Equalizer” Director, Washington Takes on Role of Legendary Carthaginian General

Introduction:

• Context: Denzel Washington is set to collaborate again with director Antoine Fuqua, marking another milestone in their long-standing partnership. The project, an untitled Netflix movie, features Washington portraying the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal.
• Background of Creators: Antoine Fuqua, known for directing high-profile action films, teams up with Washington following their successful collaborations in “Training Day” and “The Equalizer.” The script is penned by John Logan, an acclaimed writer with notable works like “The Aviator” and “Gladiator” to his credit.

Plot and Historical Background:

• Movie Theme: The film focuses on Hannibal, celebrated as one of history’s most skilled military commanders. It chronicles his legendary confrontations with the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War.
• Historical Significance: Hannibal is renowned for his daring invasion of Italy, notably using Northern African war elephants. His leadership led to significant Carthaginian victories, maintaining control over southern Italy for over a decade. However, his defeat at the Battle of Zama marked a pivotal moment in his military career.

Production Details:

• Producers and Collaborators: Washington joins forces with Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm, and Fuqua (through Hill District Media) in producing the film, capitalizing on their existing first-look deal with Netflix.
• Recent Projects: This announcement follows Fuqua's recent directorial work with Washington in “The Equalizer 3,” where Washington reprised his role as ex-Marine Robert McCall.

Washington’s Upcoming Projects:

• Parallel Engagements: Washington is simultaneously involved in another historical war film, a sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.” Despite production delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, significant progress has been made with the editing of the film.
• Notable Cast Members: The “Gladiator” sequel features an ensemble cast, including Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Pedro Pascal, slated for a November 2024 release.

Representation and Reporting:

• Agency Representation: Both Washington and Fuqua are represented by WME, with Fuqua additionally represented by LBI Entertainment.
• Initial Reporting: The news of the Hannibal project was first broken by Deadline.