Scorsese Blames 2014 Sony Hack for Canceling Jolie’s Cleopatra Epic

Key points

• Scorsese stated that Eric Roth had a finished script and Jolie was attached to play Cleopatra VII before the project collapsed.
• The 2014 Sony hack, triggered by North Korea’s reaction to The Interview, exposed private emails that derailed the production.
• Leaked correspondence revealed producer Scott Rudin called Jolie a 'minimally talented spoiled brat,' damaging the project’s viability.
• Scorsese expressed lingering frustration, telling his daughter Francesca to 'tell Seth' because the situation 'ruined everything.'
• The Cleopatra project had previously been linked to directors James Cameron, David Fincher, and Ang Lee before Scorsese’s involvement.

Background

The Cleopatra biopic, based on Stacy Schiff’s book, has been in development since 2010. While Scorsese is currently focused on the gothic horror What Happens at Night, this revelation highlights a long-standing industry frustration with unrealized historical epics. The project’s failure is often cited as a prime example of how corporate politics and external crises can derail major studio productions.

How outlets are covering it

While Deadline and The Playlist focus on Scorsese’s direct blame of Seth Rogen and the 2014 hack, Yahoo and A.V. Club provide a more nuanced view. Yahoo notes that the project was already facing internal friction, with Jolie wanting David Fincher to direct while producers pushed for others. A.V. Club highlights that the leaked emails, which included Rudin’s harsh comments about Jolie, likely killed the project more than the hack itself. All sources agree that the film remains unrealized, with recent attempts involving Denis Villeneuve and Gal Gadot also failing to materialize.

Why it matters

This story illustrates the lasting impact of the 2014 Sony hack on Hollywood’s development pipeline. It also underscores the difficulty of securing major historical epics, as the Cleopatra project has been 'in development' for over a decade without reaching production. Scorsese’s comments serve as a reminder of how external political events can have unforeseen consequences on creative projects.

What to watch

It is unlikely that the Cleopatra project will move forward in its current form, given the passage of time and the shifting interests of the involved parties. Scorsese has indicated he is more interested in developing a series about everyday life in ancient Rome, focusing on farming and families rather than historical figures.