Hollywood loves a good rivalry, and now we've got a cinematic duel worthy of the Bard himself. Denzel Washington, fresh off his Broadway run as the tragic Moor, is officially bringing Othello to the big screen—but he's not the only one. Daniel Craig and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli are racing to adapt their own Othello, set against the Iraq War. Two heavyweight takes on Shakespeare's timeless tragedy—only one can reign supreme.
The Denzel Factor: A Legend Reclaims the Role
Kenny Leon, director of the Broadway revival, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Washington will reprise his role in the film adaptation. Set in the “near future,” this Othello stars Jake Gyllenhaal as the scheming Iago, manipulating Washington's noble general into jealousy-fueled ruin.
Washington has been teasing this project for a while. In a Today Show interview last year, he hinted at a film version alongside roles in Steve McQueen's next project and Black Panther 3. The man doesn't do anything half-heartedly—if this is one of his final films, expect fireworks.
But here's the rub: the Broadway revival received mixed reviews. Some critics praised Washington's gravitas but questioned the modernized setting's execution. Can the film refine what the stage version fumbled?
The Craig-Broccoli Wildcard: A War-Torn Othello
Meanwhile, Daniel Craig and Barbara Broccoli are cooking up their own Othello—an adaptation of their 2016 off-Broadway hit, set during the 2003 Iraq invasion. Sam Gold, who directed the stage version, will helm the film.
This take earned critical acclaim for its raw, militaristic spin on Iago's betrayal. Broccoli even secured funding by striking a deal with Qatari backers (tying it to Bond's No Time to Die shoot in Doha). Now that she's no longer producing Bond, will this affect the film? Unclear—but the ambition is undeniable.
The Stakes: Which Vision Will Triumph?
We're looking at two radically different approaches:
- Leon/Washington: A futuristic, star-driven spectacle.
- Gold/Craig: A gritty, politically charged war drama.
Critics favored Craig's stage version, but Washington's star power is unmatched. The real question: Does the world need two Othellos? Probably not—but the competition could push both to greatness.
This isn't just about Othello—it's about legacy. Washington, at 68, is choosing roles sparingly, and his Othello could be a career-capping triumph. But Craig's version, with its Three Kings-meets-Shakespeare intensity, might resonate deeper in today's fractured world.
Personally? I'm betting on Craig. Washington is a force of nature, but his Broadway run didn't quite stick the landing. Craig's wartime Othello feels urgent, dangerous—exactly what Shakespeare's tragedy demands.
Which version excites you more—Denzel's powerhouse performance or Craig's battlefield betrayal?
