Ex-Bond producer turns her focus to Shakespeare in the desert, as the long-gestating Othello finally moves forward.
Barbara Broccoli has secured the greenlight for her long-planned adaptation of Othello, which will begin filming in Doha, Qatar in autumn 2026. Directed by and starring David Oyelowo, the project marks Broccoli’s first major feature since her departure from the James Bond franchise.
The film is an adaptation of the 2016 New York Theatre Workshop production directed by Sam Gold, with Oyelowo returning in the title role. Rachel Brosnahan will play Desdemona, and Cynthia Erivo has joined the cast as Emilia. The project is produced by Broccoli through Eon Productions, alongside Nicky Bentham and Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon, with financial backing from Qatar’s newly launched Film Committee.
Notably absent from the announcement is Daniel Craig, who played Iago in the original stage production and had previously been linked to the film version. His omission from this week’s formal announcement is puzzling, since it was previously reported to be his passion project and one outlet reports that Craig remains involved all the same.
Set in a contemporary war-torn desert in the Middle East, the adaptation transposes Shakespeare’s tragedy into a modern military context. Oyelowo has described the film as “bitingly modern and fearlessly ambitious,” while Broccoli confirmed the production will make use of real Qatari locations, stating, “Doha will be seen on screen.”
The production taps into Qatar’s wider ambitions to become a global filmmaking hub. The Qatar Film Committee is offering up to 50% cash rebates on qualifying production expenses, part of a wider effort to attract international filmmakers and signal the country’s post-World Cup cultural direction. Recent deals have also been struck with major studios including Sony, Neon, and Miramax.
What began nearly a decade ago on stage has now emerged as a fully financed feature set to roll cameras next year. For Broccoli, Othello represents not only a long-term creative ambition realised, but a decisive step into the post-Bond phase of her producing career.
Source: Variety
