Washington and Fuqua’s War Movie Paused Over Budget Concerns

ATRANI, ITALY - OCTOBER 19: Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington attends "The Equalizer 3" photocall on October 19, 2022 in Atrani, Amalfi, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images) — Getty Images

Neflix has paused pre-production on Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington‘s Hannibal film.

The historical epic was planning a summer shoot in Italy, with Fuqua directing and Washington starring as the Carthaginian general, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history.

However, the war movie — which was in early pre-production — has been put on pause while the producers, including Fuqua and Washington, and the studio hammer out budgetary concerns.

The hope is for the project to move forward at Netflix once the concerns are addressed.

Fuqua is set to direct from a script by Oscar winner John Logan (“The Aviator” and “Gladiator”) with the story focused on the pivotal battles Hannibal led against the Romans during the Second Punic War. In addition to starring, Washington is producing the film alongside Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm, Todd Black, Clayton Townsend and Fuqua via his Hill District Media’s first-look deal with Netflix. Scott Greenberg, Kat Samick, Katia Washington, Frank Moll and Jeremy Lott are the executive producers.

The Hannibal project mars Fuqua’s sixth collaboration with Washington, who won an Oscar for Fuqua’s Training Day in 2001.

They most recently paired on 2023’s “The Equalizer 3,” which also shot primarily in Italy. Washington most recently starred in Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest,” while Fuqua is currently riding high on the box office success of his latest movie, the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael.” The film, backed by Lionsgate, carried a production budget of more than $155 million.

It has grossed more than $850 million at the box office, making it one of the biggest hits of 2026.

Hannibal: Neflix Pauses Pre-Production on Fuqua and Denzel Washington‘s Epic

Washington and Fuqua’s War Movie Paused Over Budget Concerns

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