In the same way Kevin Feige saying Charlie Cox would play Daredevil if the character returns doesn’t mean there’s new Daredevil content on the way, so Patty Jenkins stepping away from the big seat on Cleopatra doesn’t necessarily mean she’s immediately back in the cockpit for Rogue Squadron, but with no new Star Wars project announced for the 22nd December 2023 slot, talk will naturally gravitate towards that possibility.
Jenkins remains on board the film as producer, but it’s Skogland who will call the shots for Paramount’s new take on the Egyptian queen, which has a script by Laeta Kalogridis. Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy, ancestor of the leader of Alexander the Great’s army. When Rome’s ruler Julius Caesar’s mentor-turned-rival Pompey fled to Egypt after a brutal war for control of the empire, Egypt became a fixation of Roman rulers. Two siblings battled for the throne of Egypt. After winning that internal struggle by appealing personally to Caesar, Cleopatra had a complicated relationship with Rome, becoming the lover of Caesar and later Marc Antony. The latter alliance would become the undoing of both Antony and Cleopatra.
Skogland had been considering several movies after her work on the MCU TV series and The Handmaid’s Tale had drawn fresh attention, and she’s now locked in her next gig. As for Jenkins, it remains to be seen whether she focuses on Rogue Squadron or Diana Prince going forward.
This is certainly one to watch, and if Rogue Squadron does return to schedules then 2022 could get really interesting.
