Martin Scorsese Blames Sony Cyberattack and Seth Rogen for Cancelled 'Cleopatra' Film

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese has revealed that a long-planned biographical feature film about the Egyptian ruler Cleopatra was ultimately cancelled due to the massive 2014 cyberattack on Sony Pictures and the release of the comedy film The Interview.

During a recent conversation with his daughter, Scorsese explained that the production was fully prepared to move forward with actress Angelina Jolie cast in the lead role as Cleopatra VII. Everything was ready for filming to begin before external geopolitical and security disruptions completely derailed the project.

The director pointed directly to the controversy surrounding the 2014 comedy film The Interview, which starred Seth Rogen and James Franco. The picture centered on a satirical assassination plot against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, drawing intense outrage and threats from the North Korean government.

The diplomatic fallout culminated in a devastating cyberattack on Sony Pictures, which leaked private emails, unreleased films, and sensitive corporate data. Scorsese stated that the resulting chaos at the studio completely disrupted his production plans, leaving the studio unable to move forward with his ambitious vision.

Reflecting on the unexpected cancellation, Scorsese described what the production would have looked like, stating, "We were gonna do it [...] Angelina Jolie. We were going. She was gonna be Cleopatra VII. It was really wild."

During the discussion, the filmmaker's granddaughter, Francesca Scorsese, humorously reacted to the news by blaming the comedian involved in the political comedy, joking, "Seth, you ruined Cleopatra! I'm so mad about it."

While movies frequently face development hurdles and cancellation for various financial or creative reasons, Scorsese's account highlights the unprecedented ripple effects that international political tensions and major corporate security breaches can inflict on major Hollywood productions.