How the Sony Hack Cancelled Martin Scorsese Film Cleopatra

Director Martin Scorsese recently revealed that the sony hack cancelled martin scorsese film project centered around ancient Egypt, which was set to star Angelina Jolie. In a recent discussion, the filmmaker explained that industry disruptions stemming from a major studio data breach ultimately derailed the ambitious production.

The incident in question occurred in November 2014, when a group hacked into studio emails in an attempt to stop the release of a comedy concerning North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Although Seth Rogen was not directly responsible for the cancellation of the movie, Scorsese pointed to the broader fallout from the controversy as the turning point that destroyed the feature.

The Ambitions Behind Cleopatra

Before the project fell apart, production was actively moving forward. Angelina Jolie was attached to portray Cleopatra VII in what Scorsese described as a very wild adaptation. Furthermore, the screenplay was penned by Eric Roth, the writer known for his work on the 2023 feature Killers of the Flower Moon.

Fallout From the Data Breach

The 2014 security breach exposed thousands of private corporate messages to the public. Among the leaked files were communications from producer Scott Rudin addressing studio leadership regarding various industry figures. Scorsese noted that the subsequent industry turbulence effectively ruined the momentum they had built for the historical drama.

While the director remains frustrated about the lost production, no official revival of the feature has been announced. Fans hoping to see Jolie bring the legendary historical queen to life under Scorsese's direction will likely have to settle for knowing what might have been.

Sources: Variety, Deadline, Dark Horizons.