Five more historical epics we'd like to see
Empress Matilda
Ridley Scott is already talking up Gladiator III. Not necessarily a great idea, as there's not much story left there that hasn't already been explored, and there are so many other potential historical epics waiting to be made.
Sticking with the Roman period, a sports film about chariot racers could work as a Gladiator spinoff. Chariot racing was actually far more popular and widely watched than gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome and it lends itself just as well to a cinematic interpretation. There's action, rivalries, danger, some tear-jerking moments with horses and the chance for someone to take on a good old-fashioned hero role.
There's also plenty more material to be had in the Crusader period. Not necessarily a sequel to Kingdom of Heaven, which ends quite satisfactorily, but another story from this lengthy and bloody period of history. Of course, this would have to be tackled in a politically sensitive way. Ghassan Massoud's portrayal of Saladin was one of the highlights of KoH; a film looking at the Crusades from the side of the Saracens could be interesting. I think that's possibly best left to a Middle Eastern director at present, however.
One fascinating historical character who's never (as far as I know) had her own biopic is the Empress Matilda, who briefly reigned England as an uncrowned queen in the twelfth century. Named as the successor of Henry I, she was usurped by her cousin Stephen. Matilda's life has it all: a child bride who becomes a stateswoman and wages war to claim her birthright. Her story is also sufficiently undocumented to allow for some creativity, without incensing historians too much.
There's also room for a big Ancient Egypt film. Not sci-fi conspiracy stuff, but a proper swords-and-sandals-in-the-sand blockbuster. The obvious choice would be a remake of Cleopatra, but she was Classical Egypt rather than strictly ancient. Tutankhamun would make a good subject, as we do know quite a lot about his material world, and film is a visual medium after all. His life story is also a bit vague and open to interpretation. A disabled teenager as a powerful ruler is a strong concept, with the added attraction that his father was a slightly crazy religious reformer and his stepmother was probably the ever-intriguing Nefertiti.
Moving forward in time somewhat, the English Civil War hasn't had a recent cinema treatment. Oliver Cromwell, Charles I and Prince Rupert would be big parts for decent actors to get their teeth into, and recreating the New Model Army on-screen would be visually fascinating. The politics behind the war might be a little complex to get right in the space of a feature film, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. It ends with the only time England has been anything approaching a republic, which is interesting in itself.
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