Tweet

Cleopatra sings? If Steven Soderbergh has his way she will, and she’ll do it in 3D to the tune of a 30 million dollar budget in Cleo.

The film is set to star Catherine Zeta-Jones. For the role of Marc Antony, Soderbergh wanted accomplished musical theater actor (see above) Hugh Jackman, but, according to Variety, Jackman pulled out of talks do to scheduling conflicts.

The film is being conceived as an Elvis-style musical with an indie rock score written by Guided by Voices. The screenplay is by James Greer who was the band’s bass player.

Ray Winstone is in talks to play Julius Caesar. Can Ray Winstone sing? And does it matter? Probably not judging by the success of the horrendous Mama Mia.

Soderbergh likes to experiment. He likes to go out on a limb, and this limb seems pretty out there. Of course you never know. Maybe this will be a wacky triumph with audiences and critics calling Cleo the feel good movie musical of the decade.

Or it could be Mama Mia with Pyramids.

Anyone out there have any casting ideas for Soderbergh? Who should play Marc Antony? Who should sing the role of the Asp?