Netflix Halts Denzel Washington Hannibal Film Over Budget
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- Netflix halted pre-production on its untitled epic drama about Carthaginian general Hannibal, which had been planning to shoot later this year in Italy
- Denzel Washington was attached to star in the titular role, with his frequent collaborator Antoine Fuqua directing the film
- Insiders told Deadline the pause was prompted by budget issues, though both the studio and producers are working to revive the project at Netflix
- The project had been actively gearing up over the past couple of weeks — Netflix was meeting with actors to join Washington, while Fuqua and his crew were scouting locations in Italy
- Washington and Fuqua share a long track record of hits including the Equalizer franchise and Training Day, for which Washington won the Best Actor Academy Award
- Fuqua directed Michael, described in the article as the biggest live-action film of the year to date
Why it matters: A tentpole starring Denzel Washington and directed by Antoine Fuqua going on hold over budget underscores Netflix's tightening grip on spending — a sensitive posture given the streamer's recent stock slide. The delay also introduces scheduling risk for a physically demanding military epic tied to Washington's availability for the planned Italy shoot later this year.
