Netflix has paused pre-production on Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington’s film Hannibal.
Variety previously reported that the historical blockbuster was scheduled to shoot in Italy over the summer, would be directed by Fuqua, and would star Washington as a Carthaginian general, who, as the official logline explains, is “widely regarded as one of the greatest commanders in history.” But the war film, which was in early pre-production, was put on hold while producers and the studio, including Mr. Fuqua and Mr. Washington, worked out budget issues. It is hoped that the project will move forward with Netflix once concerns are resolved.
Fuqua will direct from a screenplay by Oscar winner John Logan (The Aviator, Gladiator), and the film will focus on Hannibal’s pivotal battle against the Romans during the Second Punic War. In addition to starring, Washington is also producing the film along with Eric Olsen, Adam Goldworm, Todd Black, Clayton Townsend, Fuqua and others through a first-look deal with Hill District Media and Netflix. Scott Greenberg, Kat Samik, Katia Washington, Frank Mohr, and Jeremy Lott serve as executive producers.
The Hannibal project marks the sixth collaboration between Fuqua and Washington. Washington won an Oscar in 2001 for Fuqua’s Training Day. They recently worked together on 2023’s The Equalizer 3, which was also filmed mainly in Italy. Washington recently starred in Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest,” and Fuqua is currently on a roll at the box office with his latest film, the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael.” The Lionsgate-backed film had a production budget of more than $155 million. It grossed over $850 million at the box office, making it one of the biggest hits of 2026, and studios are hard at work on a sequel.
Deadline first reported the production delays for Hannibal.
