Recent reports reveal that Gal Gadot, starring as the Evil Queen in Disney’s highly anticipated live-action Snow White, may soon be headlining the long-delayed epic Cleopatra.

According to Production Bulletin, Cleopatra is currently in active development, with Universal Pictures and Atlas Entertainment attached to the likely big-budget epic period film. The report also suggests that the production team has narrowed down an exciting new location for the film, with Morocco listed as the filming destination. Morocco notably served as a filming location for Gladiator II, Ridley Scott’s recent big-budget blockbuster. In Gladiator II, the opening scenes set in “Africa Nova” were filmed around the city of Ouarzazate, south of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Morroco has also been used in other incredibly popular productions, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones.

The report also describes Cleopatra as being the daughter of Ptolemy, ancestor of the leader of Alexander the Great’s army. When Rome’s ruler Julius Caesar’s mentor-turned-rival Pompey fled to Egypt after a brutal war for control of the empire, Egypt became a fixation of Roman rulers. Two siblings battled for the throne of Egypt. After winning that internal struggle by appealing personally to Caesar, Cleopatra had a complicated relationship with Rome, becoming the lover of Caesar and later Marc Antony. The latter alliance would become the undoing of both Antony and Cleopatra.

Cleopatra Movie’s Long Journey to the Big Screen

Gadot’s Cleopatra movie was first announced in October 2020, with Gadot set to star and produce. Originally, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins was attached to direct, but she stepped down in December 2021 due to scheduling conflicts, with Kari Skogland, known for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, taking over as director. The film has faced delays, including a transition from Paramount Pictures to Universal Pictures in 2022 and an extended development period to reportedly ensure a thoughtful and respectful portrayal of Cleopatra.

Since her breakout role as Wonder Woman in multiple films, Gadot has taken on a variety of projects. She starred alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in the action-comedy Red Notice and portrayed Linnet Ridgeway in the mystery thriller Death on the Nile. In 2023, Gadot made Wonder Woman cameo appearances in Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash and returned to the Fast & Furious franchise with a surprise appearance in Fast X. Later that year, she led the Netflix action film Heart of Stone as Rachel Stone.

Looking ahead, Gadot is set to play the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action Snow White, slated for release on March 21, 2025.