Denzel Washington's Hannibal film paused as budget concerns bring production to temporary halt

Production on Denzel Washington's forthcoming Hannibal film has been paused, with budget concerns bringing the project to a temporary halt. The untitled historical epic war movie, which was planned to shoot in Italy this summer, has been put on hold as producers and the studio work to resolve the financial issues. Movie executives on both sides are reportedly working to get production back on track in the hope the film can still move forward.According to Deadline, the pause came after both sides failed to align on the budget required to move forward with the ambitious production. The studio did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.The film will star Washington as the Carthaginian general Hannibal, widely regarded as one of the most famous military commanders in history. The script has been written by Oscar-winner John Logan, known for his work on 'The Aviator' and 'Gladiator', and will focus on the battles Hannibal led against the Romans during the Second Punic War. Washington also serves as a producer on the project.'The Equalizer' director Antoine Fuqua is leading the film, and if eventually released, it will mark his sixth collaboration with Washington. The pair most recently worked together on the 2023 thriller sequel 'The Equalizer 3'.Washington, 71, has been nominated for 10 Oscars and won two across his nearly five-decade career, taking home Best Supporting Actor for 'Glory' in 1990 and Best Actor for 'Training Day' in 2002.Fuqua joins the Hannibal project fresh from directing 'Michael', the King of Pop biopic, which has grossed $850 million and counting at the global box office. The film opened to almost $40 million in US theatres on its opening day in April, making it a significant commercial success despite receiving a mixed reception.Many took issue with the film's decision to end Jackson's story in 1988, years before multiple child sexual abuse allegations against the singer emerged, with many claiming it effectively sidestepped his complicated legacy. Despite the divided response, the film proved a major hit with audiences, drawing strong numbers at the box office throughout its opening weeks.With the project now on pause at Netflix, it remains to be seen whether the budget issues can be resolved in time to keep the film's planned timeline on track.