If you like epic movies like I do, then you probably know that Vin Diesel's biggest dream-come-true project is a historical movie "Hannibal The Conqueror" which would tell the story of the famous Carthaginian general who led a humongous army (including his beloved war elephants) across the Alps in order to destroy Rome in the Second Punic war. Vin Diesel (who had been a director before he became an action superstar) has been developing this project for many years now, and few days ago he left an interesting and intriguing update about "Hannibal The Conqueror" at his Facebook profile which might suggest that the movie is finally moving forward. He said that he had a meeting with director Tony Scott (the brother of Ridley) who might take the helm of the movie, and he also mentioned that Denzel Washington could play Hamilcar Barca, Hannibal's father who lead the Carthaginians during the First Punic War:
Well this meeting was exceptional. We talked about Hannibal and the Punic Wars and how by nature the story demanded three movies. The first movie centering around Hamilcar, Father of Hannibal and the Defender of Africa, in the First Punic War. He said he would get our friend Denzel to play Hamilcar. Denzel is a friend, whom I admire and who has given industry advice that I use to this day. Him playing Hamilcar and for Tony to Direct ... exciting to say the least. While I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for this movie (I both like Vin in this role, and I like the story around Hannibal), I'm somehow not sure if Hollywood would really make a huge epic in which the main star is a coloured person winning some major battles against the colonial Romans. And if we are talking Carthaginian epics, I wouldn't mind watching some epic on their famous queens Dido or Salammbo, since I grew up reading books on these rulers :) Now that would be a real treat. What do you think?
This actually looks pretty damn good.
ReplyDeleteOOh! I hope they DO make it! it sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteI was worried, Dez when I saw your headline "Vin Diesel as Hannibal" because I thought you meant Hannibal Lecter...
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it would be an amazing movie, especially in the hands of Tony Scott.
Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteWell, if Vin Diesel wants to star in it, it had better happen soon, before he also grows too old to play the part.
ReplyDeleteI'll see anything from Tony Scott....
ReplyDeleteSounds great.
Tony Scott is a good choice. Hope this movie happens!
ReplyDeleteColonial Romans? Hannibal marched down the Italian peninsula, destroying as he went. If he hadn't grossly misjudged the toll the Alps would take on his troops, Rome would have been completely destroyed and we'd all be speaking some derivation of Phoenician today.
ReplyDeleteRome could never defeat Hannibal. He spent a few more years cruising around the Italian countryside destroying whatever he liked, but returned to Carthage because Scipio was clever enough to counter attack there.
He then sort of just drifted from one royal court to another, trying to fight the Romans through some other rulers' armies.
The question here will be...will Hollywood allow this part of the story to be told, or will he die during the battle at Cannae?
@Matthew, Vics,Avalon, Andrew, Alex
ReplyDeleteglad you all like it, guys, I hope the movie will happen and not just remain Vin's unfulfilled wish :(
@Alan
No, no, not Lecter, not a fan of that monster ...
@Jaccsy
he will always stay young in his heart :)))
@MJenks
ReplyDeleteyes, but Romans wanted to colonize the seas and takeaway their trading routes, and take Sicily as well ... And Romans have already colonized half of the known world forcing their culture, language and dominance upon smaller nations, making themselves gods in such a world in which only Roman citizens had real political and social rights.
I'm guessing he won't die, unless they really make three parts of the movie ...
Hannibal's story indeed was sad especially the years after the Punic wars :(
Vin Deasel is better off making movies for kids. (And he's not very good at that either.)
ReplyDeleteI think he needs a big hero role to get back into the days of his Riddick fame.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to say that you'd also like this movie because you like elephants. Or may that was all a rumor started by Alex? Well, I like elephants and any movie with an army that includes war elephants would be truly epic. Bring it on!
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
yes, I love elephants (although Alex started the rumor not because my love for the animals, but because back in my earlier days I wanted to open my school of English with the name TRAVELING ELEPHANTS), but I wouldn't like seeing them suffer and die, being ridden and used as war beasts in this movie. But I did like, admittedly, the famous Mumakils from LORD OF THE RINGS :)
ReplyDeleteI like epic movies and I like Vin Dievel so YAY!
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog. It's cool how you talk about celebs and Hollywood stuff. Interesting.My favorite Vin Dievel movie is The Pacifier. Very funny. Have you watched it? :) You should if you haven't.
ReplyDeleteThis is great that people are wanting to act in movies about ancient history & there's an audience for them.
ReplyDeleteThat said, Vin looks hot! :)
Oh, & the dog looks kinda tired.
....im still drooling of the thought of Vin period!
ReplyDeleteWell Dez I think the story sounds interesting enough and Vin would fit in there perfectly. I am guessing that he is opting out of the next Fast and Furious sequel to do this?
ReplyDeleteI like historicals. I'd watch this.
ReplyDelete@Lynda Young
ReplyDeleteI also love me some epic :)
@Stephanie
thanks, Steph, hope we'll be seeing you here often :)
@Lisa
the dog is super cute :)) and he and Vin look like a perfect match :))
@Falen aka Thundercat
ReplyDeleteI hear you sister :)
@Geof
no one knows when and if he'll manage to do this, he's been planning it for a decade almost. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
@Medeia
we all love historicals :))
DEZMOND - Vin Diesel *swoon* I know he isn't a "young pup" in the eyes of hollywood, but whatev that voice - sexy!!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you sister :) /pronounced in dieselish voice/ :)
ReplyDeleteI love vin diesel & all his movies l hope it comes soooon...
ReplyDeleteIm an african american airborne infantry officer in the US Army. It would be a wonderful, beautiful, thing to see a movie about hannibal.
ReplyDeleteHOOAH!
well it about time the african and or nubain get depicted in his true light in history other then a slave but as a conquer bout time .. i digg i digg
ReplyDeletewow the truth now if we could get hollywood 2 show jc like he looked we be on our way
ReplyDeletesadly, it seems the project isn't going to happen, it's been three years, and nothing new on the horizon....
DeleteI don't think that it's african time history 'cause the project finaly can be done after the decision of a LIGHT HANIBAL has be decided but why nowday to talk african past is on confortable to use a dark actor.
ReplyDeletei understand somme positions " nice V diesel is glad actor, or a nice one" and like too, but history is different of fiction, when we talk about the past, try to be just, correct not jalouse of african history even if african became a slave after. But evryone knows that the maine actor of the antique civilisation in the south and east mediterean was african and not a light one but the dark one. So we cann't talk about history and the same time to make pleasure at a few persons which are racist
ReplyDeleteI believe if he would give the role to the actor who played in gladiator that would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteHe was married to Russell Simon ex-wife the model.
ReplyDelete