A new movie on the life of Cleopatra has been in development for quite some time now, with Angelina Jolie attached to star. David Fincher has shown interest in the project before, but has yet to commit. However, a past collaborator of Fincher’s, writer Eric Roth (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), is now said to be rewriting the script. Based on Stacy Schiff‘s biography Cleopatra: A Life, the film will take a new look at Cleopatra, one that portrays her as a politician, strategist, and warrior instead of a simple seductress. Perhaps with a well-known, Oscar-winning screenwriter tackling the script, the film will move closer to a starting point. Producer Scott Rudin appears to think so, stating, “We’re pretty close. A lot of directors want to do it, but there is only a handful we’ll make it with.” But can the production snag Fincher away from his busy schedule?

With the work done for his latest film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, David Fincher has a few options for his next movie. If Dragon Tattoo performs well, he could easily move on the other two parts of the trilogy next. I’m sure we’ll be able to get a better idea of that possibility come next month when the self-described “feel bad” movie of the holidays hits. But another option could be an adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which Fincher has been developing for a while now. But, whether Fincher ultimately directs or not, how much interest do you have in Cleopatra? Is there anyone else you would like to see behind the camera?