Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua are moving forward with an ambitious historical epic for Netflix centred on the life of the Carthaginian military commander Hannibal, with filming scheduled to begin in Italy this summer.

Production is expected to start in Rome in late June and continue through early autumn, as the streaming platform prepares to bring one of antiquity’s most celebrated military campaigns to the screen.

The project will focus on Hannibal Barca’s dramatic struggle against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War, one of the defining conflicts of the ancient world.

Washington is set to portray the legendary general, whose daring strategies and battlefield victories made him one of history’s most renowned commanders.

Hannibal famously led an army, including war elephants, across the Alps to invade Italy in 218 BC, launching a campaign that stunned Rome and reshaped Mediterranean warfare.

The film will reunite Washington with Fuqua, continuing one of Hollywood’s most enduring actor-director partnerships.

Their collaborations began with the acclaimed crime drama "Training Day," which earned Washington an Academy Award, and later included films such as "The Magnificent Seven" and the successful "Equalizer" series.

The screenplay has been written by John Logan, an Oscar-nominated writer known for large-scale historical and dramatic productions including "Gladiator," "The Aviator," and "Skyfall." Cinematography will be handled by three-time Academy Award winner Robert Richardson, whose previous work includes "JFK," "The Aviator," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

The upcoming production represents one of Netflix’s most ambitious historical projects in recent years.

By focusing on Hannibal’s military campaigns against Rome between 218 BC and 201 BC, the film aims to recreate the epic battles, strategic brilliance and political drama that defined the conflict between Carthage and the Roman Republic.

For Washington, the role continues a recent interest in historical figures and large-scale epics.

The actor has maintained a prominent presence in both streaming and theatrical projects while continuing long-standing collaborations with filmmakers including Fuqua.

Industry observers note that filming in Rome and surrounding Italian locations offers natural backdrops suited to depicting the landscapes of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Large-scale productions have frequently returned to the region to recreate classical settings for historical films.

With production now preparing to begin, the Netflix project marks another major chapter in the partnership between Washington and Fuqua, bringing together a veteran creative team to portray one of the most legendary military campaigns in ancient history.