Who will be the next Cleopatra? Hunt is on for actress to play 18-year-old Egyptian Queen in new TV series

By ROSS MCDONAGH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 20:57, 18 August 2015 | UPDATED: 21:46, 18 August 2015

Beautiful, powerful, rich, famous and a string of high profile lovers - Cleopatra was the original celebrity.

Now a search is underway to find a young actress to play the 18-year-old Egyptian queen in a new TV series.

According to Deadline, the new show will be a 're-imagining' of the iconic pharaoh's life.

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Carry on Cleo: A search is underway to find a young actress to play the 18-year-old Cleopatra in a new TV series, a role most famously played by Elizabeth Taylor in 1963

Instead of depicting an 'arch seductress made famous by her affairs' with the likes of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony, it will propose that these men were made famous because of her.

It claims this Cleopatra will be 'brighter, more intelligent, richer and a better administrator and ruler than the men of her time', and someone who understood he power of myth, and who was constantly reinventing herself to become one.

The show will be written and directed by Shekhar Kapur, a man familiar with historically powerful women: he directed Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth and its sequel, The Golden Age.

Instead of depicting an 'arch seductress made famous by her affairs' with the likes of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony (as seen here in Vivien Leigh's 1945 version) it will propose that these men were made famous because of her.

High profile relationships: As in Sophia Loren's 1963 comedy Two Nights with Cleopatra, the queen is rarely depicted without at least one of her equally famous lovers

Powerful ladies: The new series will be directed by Shekhar Kapur, who helmed Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth. A new movie starring Angelina Jolie remains up in the air after the Sony email hack revealed exec infighting over who should direct

Elizabeth Taylor stars in the 1963 film Cleopatra

'Cleopatra is probably the most famous and the least known/understood figure in all of time,' India-born Kapur said. 'Her life will reflect a modern-day parable of our lives today.'

David Ellender, Chief Executive of producers Slingshot Global Media added: 'We couldn’t think of a better filmmaker than Kapur to tackle this subject. As he did with Queen Elizabeth, Kapur will reveal the human being behind the myth.'

The Queen of the Nile has been an idolised by Western culture for thousands of years, depicted countless times in art, poetry, film, TV, advertisements and video games.

The original Kardashian? The Queen of the Nile has been an idolised by Western culture for thousands of years, depicted countless times in art, poetry, film, TV, advertisements and video games. Here Kim Kardashian poses as her for a 2011 shoot with Harper's Bazaar

Perfect storm: Katy Perry paid homage in her recent Dark Horse, where she billed herself as Katy-Patra (missing the much better Cleo-Kat-ra pun)

Whoopi too: Cleo would have made a killing from ad royalties were she alive today

Vivien Leigh, Sophiea Lauren, Monica Bellucci have all played her on screen, but by far the most famous depiction is Elizabeth Taylor's 1963 film, Cleopatra.

Despite being the highest grossing film of the year, earning $57million (or $444million in today's money) it almost bankrupted 20th Century Fox due to its enormous production and marketing costs. Adjusting for inflation it remains one of the most expensive films ever made.

A new film starring Angelina Jolie in the lead role became the subject of very public scrutiny after the Sony email hack last year, which revealed a nasty row between Sony Pictures exec Amy Pascal and producer Scott Rudin, seemingly centered on the services of director David Fincher.

Although she was born in Egypt, the original Cleopatra was actually Macedonian Greek. Her alleged love child with Julius Caesar - Caesarion - became the last sole ruler of Egypt for just 11 days before he was executed by Caesar's heir Augustus, and Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire.

Playing a player: Most recently Linday Lohan played Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra in Liz And Dick

Egyptian Idol: Monica Bellucci played the pharaoh in Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, while Lyndsey Marshal did the same in the TV series Rome

Stonyt expression: Although she was born in Egypt, the original Cleopatra was actually Macedonian Greek, while her legendary beauty is believed to have been somewhat exaggerated throughout history

Read more:

• ‘Cleopatra’ Series In The Works At Slingshot Global Media | Deadline

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3202597/Hunt-actress-play-18-year-old-Egyptian-Queen-new-Cleopatra-TV-series.html#ixzz3jCm5FiLk
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Will.i.am praises his contestant Leah McFall as he and Tom Jones choose their final three on The Voice

'One of the best artists I have seen in the UK': Will.i.am praises his contestant Leah McFall as he and Tom Jones choose their final three on The Voice

By JAYMI MCCANN

PUBLISHED: 22:37, 1 June 2013 | UPDATED: 11:12, 2 June 2013

It was a tough night for Tom Jones and WIll.i.am on The Voice as they struggled to decide on their final three contestants.

But, Leah McFall, was given an ego boost as mentor Will.i.am described her as one of the greatest singers to come out of the UK, adding that she is 'The best thing since sliced bread'.

The 23-year-old Belfast girl stood agape as she was selected top be fast tracked through to the finals, whispering 'Oh my Goodness.'

Leah McFall was stunned when she Will.i.am fast tracked her through to the final stages of The Voice

The wannabe star was described as 'The best thing since sliced bread' by her team leader

Will.i.am was amazed by the 23-year-old's talent as she performed 'Loving You'

She later proved why she had earned her place, singing 'Loving You' by Minnie Riperton The unique star clearly impressed with the song, as her dad cheered when she hit the high notes and Jessie J stood head in hands with amazement.

The emerging star was not the only fast track tonight, with Tom Jones choosing country music singer Mike Ward.

Tom said that the 23-year old  was : 'In a unique position because there are no home grown country singers in great Britain. He could be the one.'

Alice blew the judges away with the tone of her voice when she performed in front of them

Alice sang 'Everybody's got to learn sometimes' to applause from the audience and judges

Cherelle did not impress as she fell into another key while she was singing

Jamie wowed the judges with his soulful performance bu did not make it through to the final stages

Tom's team started the night with his first three Alice, Cherelle and Jamie battling for a place.

First up was Jamie Bruce, making all of the judges dance with his rendition of 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' by The Temptations.

The 34-year-old was praised for his voice, but Charrelle Basquine wasn’t so successful.

She veered into the wrong key as she attempted Beyonce’s 'One plus one' making the juudges question what had happened when she finished.

Alice, however, blew the audience away with her soft tone as she sang 'Everybody got to Learn Sometimes', making her the clear winning from this knockout round.

Tom put country singer Mike through to the next round as he was able to fast track him

Ragsy dedicated his performance of a Stereophonics song to his friend, their former drummer Stuart Cable

Despite being shy Joseph gave a winning performance as he was put through the the next round

Next came the boys, with Joseph, Ragsy and Adam competing to get through.

Tom stole Adam Barron from Jessie J and was pleased with his choice. The 27-year-old sang 'Maybe I'm Amazed' by Wings, to great applause. Jessie J said: 'Out of all three of you I think your performance was the most believable.'

Rocker Ragsy, Tom’s fellow countryman, sang Stereophonics  dedicating it to his friend ex-drummer Stuart Cable.

Joseph Apostol was the winner however, as he blew the audience away with 'A Song for You' by Donny Hathaway.

An unusual song choice, he was criticised for not reaching his own highly set standards but Tom said: 'Even though it wasn’t the best he can do that performance was good enough to get him through.'

Moni performed another Stevie Wonder song, but was eliminated when his execution was not as good as rehearsals

Moni's energetic performance just wasn't good enough for mentor Will.i.am

Jordan was forced to defend himself when his musical theatre style was criticised by Danny

Despite initially choosing a Christina Aguilera song, Leanne wowed the audience by singing 'Alone' by Heart

The singer was shocked when she discovered that she would be performing next week for the judges

Next up, was Team Will, and the judge didn’t seem impressed with his protegees’ song choices.

Jordan Lee Davis chose the theatrical 'It's All Coming Back to me Now' by Meatloaf, causing Will.i.am to say 'You want to be popping but you don’t wanna be Mary Poppins.'

But, his performance stayed away from the theatrical, causing Will to support his contestant when Danny criticised musical theatre.

Moni Tivoni chose 'Masterblaster' by Stevie Wonder, a choice that Will believed was too predictable for the singer. But, after his impeccable execution in the rehearsals Will soon changed his mind, admitting he was wrong.

Despite this, Will decided that Moni's performance on the night was not up to scratch, saying that even though he had already settled on Moni, he couldn't choose him.

As he struggled to choose a contestant, Jessie J offered her fellow judge some advice, saying 'Go with your heart. And so he did choosing his next performer.

Cleo gave a powerhouse performance of the Michael Jackson song 'Leave Me Alone'

Jessie J gave Lem encouragement as he went to perform, but she was shocked when he was not selected by Will.i.am

Jessie J and Will.i.am disagreed over who he should pick between Lem or Cleo

John's performance was strong, showing the judges why he deserved to have made it this far into the competition

Leanne Jarvis, 25, picked 'Hurt' by Christina Ahguilera, but soon chose it after Will's criticism. He added: 'Leanne was open minded enough to come back and sing alone by heart. And sounds fantastic doing it.'

As the Essex girl performed 'Alone' by Heart, the powerhouse impressed Will enough to be put through to the final, but not without some criticism from Jessie J who thought the choice was safe.

In his second knockout he had to choose between John, Cleo and Lem.

John performed Something’s Got a Hold of My Heart with other judge describing him as having a ‘good unique voice.'

Former Cleopatra star Cleo celebrated back stage as she went though to the next round

Leah gave a spectacular performance of 'Loving You' to conclude the show

The singer has said that her love for fashion goes hand in hand with her musical talents

Lem received encouragement from Jessie J who said: ‘Pull yourself together, come on.’ He started 'As Long As You Love Me' by Justin Bieber showing the soulful, delicate tone in his voice.

Former Cleopatra star Cleo gave Michael Jackson song Leave Me Alone a go, knowing that she was taking a risk. But, dressed in purple and orange she caused controversy.

After Jessie J criticised Cleo, saying that she 'Fell Flat' Willi am retaliated saying: 'I don’t know who in the world has the right to tell you what you did wrong or right when that execution was just flawless.'

jessie retaliated, bluntly saying: 'If it was my decision, hands down its Lem.'

But, Will admitted that he 'Had to put Cleo through'

The knockouts conclude tomorrow night with Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue's teams.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2334490/The-Voice-2013-One-best-artists-I-seen-UK-Will-praises-contestant-Leah-Tom-Jones-choose-final-three.html#ixzz2V5jsArCQ
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Jessica Chastain dazzles in 'priceless' jewels once owned by Elizabeth Taylor at Cannes 50th anniversary screening of Cleopatra

'It was a symbol of their epic love': Jessica Chastain dazzles in 'priceless' jewels once owned by Elizabeth Taylor at Cannes 50th anniversary screening of Cleopatra

By LOUISE SAUNDERS and BAZ BAMIGBOYE IN CANNES

PUBLISHED: 18:32, 21 May 2013 | UPDATED: 21:30, 21 May 2013

It was one of the most iconic movies of its age, and marked the start of an epic real-life love story between Hollywood legends Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

And Jessica Chastain paid tribute to Tinseltown's golden couple by wearing a glittering diamond and sapphire necklace once owned by the screen goddess as she attended a special 50th anniversary viewing of Cleopatra at the 66th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday evening. 

The 36-year-old actress teamed the dazzling Bulgari piece - a gift from Burton to Taylor when they fell in love on the set of Cleopatra - with a matching ring, and a simple cream draped floor-length gown by Versace. 

'A symbol of their epic love': Jessica Chastain paid tribute to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton by wearing a glittering diamond and sapphire necklace once owned by the screen goddess to the 50th anniversary screening of Cleopatra on Tuesday evening

Letting the incredible jewellery take centre stage, the Zero Dark Thirty star kept the rest of her red carpet ensemble relatively simple.

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Speaking about the iconic necklace and ring, Jessica told the Daily Mail: 'It was a symbol of their epic love.

'I call them the Cleopatra jewels because Richard Burton bought them for Elizabeth Taylor when they fell in love when they were shooting Cleopatra. I'm so excited to be wearing them.'

Grecian goddess: The 36-year-old actress teamed the dazzling Bulgari piece - a gift from Burton to Taylor when they fell in love on the set of Cleopatra - with a matching ring and a simple cream Versace floor-length gown

Hollywood glamour: Letting the incredible jewellery take centre stage, the Zero Dark Thirty star kept the rest of her red carpet ensemble relatively simple

Screen icon: Jessica was co-hosting the official Cannes Film Festival screening with Taylor's son Christopher Wilding and Burton's daughter Kate Burton

Diamonds are a girl's best friend: Burton bought the stunning jewels in the early 1960s, and they were re-purchased by Bulgari at a Christies sale last year following Elizabeth Taylor's death

Burton bought the stunning jewels in the early 1960s and through the 1970s, and they were re-purchased by Bulgari at a Christies sale last year following Elizabeth Taylor's death.

Jessica added: 'I feel so lucky to be wearing them. They looked so fabulous on her and she was a movie star from her head to her toes. That kind of glamorous star doesn't exist anymore but their diamonds do.'

In spite of the redhead beauty's protestations that stars like Elizabeth Taylor don't exist any longer, she certainly did a very good impression of old Hollywood glamour. 

Dazzling: The Oscar-nominated actress wore her locks teased into tumbling curls and swept to the side, while showing off her perfect porcelain skin with natural make-up and dramatic eyes

All eyes on her: Jessica certainly commanded attention as she worked the red carpet like a true professional

Thrilled: The actress believes the glittering diamonds are a symbol of Burton's 'epic love' for Taylor

Working it: Jessica's simple Versace dress, featuring stunning draped detailing and a flattering cinched-in waist, proved the ideal backdrop to showcase Taylor's incredible diamonds upon

Wearing her locks teased into tumbling curls and swept to the side, the actress showed off her perfect porcelain skin with natural make-up and dramatic eyes. 

And Jessica's simple Versace dress, featuring stunning draped detailing and a flattering cinched-in waist, proved the ideal backdrop to showcase Taylor's incredible diamonds upon.

The actress admitted she would 'jump at any  opportunity' to play Cleopatra on screen, adding: 'I don't think it's every going to happen but I would never turn it down if it ever came up.'

Showbiz pals: Jessica chatted to fellow actor Adrien Brody on the red carpet

Giggles: The duo certainly seemed to be in high spirits as they shared a joke on the red carpet

Pucker up: The actor treated his partner Lara Nieto to a romantic kiss in full glare of the world's photographers

Golden girl: Lara looked incredible in a metallic floor-length gown as she posed on the arm of her dapper man

Joining Jessica on the red carpet at the special 50th anniversary screening of Cleopatra was actress Milla Jovovich, who looked incredible as she flashed some sideboob in a midnight blue crystal-encrusted gown. 

Adrien Brody was on hand to toast the iconic film event, looking dapper in an immaculately-tailored tuxedo as he planted a tender kiss on his partner, Lara Nieto. 

Also walking the red carpet on Tuesday night was the likes of Aishwarya Rai, Dita Von Teese and Rosario Dawson.

Smouldering: Milla Jovovich looked incredible as she flashed some sideboob in a daring midnight blue number

Daring: The 37-year-old actress looked incredible in her crystal-encrusted gown as she hit the red carpet

Commanding attention: The daring dress showed off the star's statuesque figure in all its glory

Screen goddesses: Actress Aishwarya Rai wowed in aqua silk, while Rosario Dawson chose a glittering gold number 

Twentieth Century Fox have restored and re-mastered the original four hour two minute full version of the epic movie about the cunning Egyptian queen and her romance with Mark Anthony, played by Burton.

Jessica was co-hosting the official screening with Taylor's son Christopher Wilding and Burton's daughter Kate Burton.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film's release, Cleopatra will be shown again in all its glory for a limited run at the Curzon cinema in Mayfair, London, from July 12 and selected other UK cinemas.

Model behaviour: Models Joan Smalls and Barbara Palvin made sure to strut their stuff on the red carpet 

Glamorous: Chris Tucker and his partner looked great in their co-ordinating white ensembles

Dressed to impress: Dita Von Teese opted for retro 50s red glamour, while Adriana Karembeu went for gothic black leather fringing

An epic love story: Cleopatra marked the start of the real-life love story between Hollywood legends Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor

True romance: Burton gave Taylor the Bulgari diamonds as a gift when they fell in love while filming Cleopatra

Iconic: Cleopatra was first released in 1963 to critical acclaim

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