Steven Soderbergh to Bring Rock n' Roll ...to Cleopatra
Steven Soderbergh
Steven Soderbergh is developing a high-concept 3-D live-action rock ’n’ roll musical about one of the most famous women in history, Cleopatra.
An odd combo, you say? But the makeup and jewelry alone in Cleopatra's era scream for rockin' musical numbers! Some high profile talent may be buying into that theory as well – Soderbergh is wooing Catherine Zeta-Jones to play the Egyptian queen and Hugh Jackman to play her lover, Marc Antony, reports Variety.
The music has been written by the indie rock band Guided by Voices, and the script is by James Greer, who himself was a bass player for the band.
With a relatively small budget for a rock musical, the $30 million Cleo will be shopped for financing and distribution within the next two weeks. Greg Jacobs is producing with Casey Silver.
Casting Zeta-Jones and Jackman, both award-winning veterans of the musical stage, could really seal the deal for financiers. But, the question is, would you be on board to see Cleopatra rock out with her sphinx out?