Angelina Jolie to Star as Cleopatra in Film Adaptation of Cleopatra: A Life

Angelina Jolie, already Hollywood royalty, is slated to star as Cleopatra, in an upcoming biopic, based on the Queen of the Nile's life. Scott Rudin, the film's producer, purchased the film rights to an as yet unreleased biography written by Pulitzer Prize winning nonfiction author, Stacy Schiff, with Jolie in mind for the title character, Cleopatra.

In promoting her book, Schiff states that Jolie has the "perfect look" for the role. Schiff's biography titled Cleopatra: A Life, is published by Little Brown and is set for a November 2010 release, but can be pre-ordered online.

The casting of Angelina Jolie as Cleopatra has, almost universally, been applauded as an outstanding match of character and actor. Not since Elizabeth Taylor portrayed the Queen of the Nile in the 1963 adaptation of Cleopatra's life, has there been a casting that brought such regal poise to the role of Cleopatra.

Angelina Jolie, with a fine list of action flicks and thrillers on her resume, such as the Tomb Raider series and this years' Salt, will also bring some attitude to the role, as Schiff's book is said to focuses more on Cleopatra's skill as a leader and strategist, than as a seductress.

The 1963 historical epic, staring Elizabeth Taylor, has the dubious honor of being the only film ever, to be a year's highest grossing film yet return a loss. This version of Cleopatra's life is probably most famous however for the resulting off-screen affair, mirroring the onscreen affair, between stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (They were both married to others at the time).

Given that Jolie fell for co-star Pitt in the filming of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, when he was married to Jennifer Aniston, inevitable comparisons are being drawn, triggering much speculation about who will be cast as the Queen of Egypt's lover, in the new historical biography.

Claims abound online, that Pitt is already "lined-up" to play the role of Mark Antony, a fact that Scott Rudin refutes at this stage. Stacy Schiff, when weighing in on the rumors of Pitt's casting, however, is reported as saying casting Pitt would be a "no-brainer".

Until the official announcement is made about the movie's full entourage, expect to see much internet chatter and speculation about casting Angelina Jolie's real life partner, Brad Pitt as Mark Antony.

Sources:

Hollywoodlife.com

Variety.com

Wikipedia

IMDb