David Oyelowo is set to make a major cinematic mark as he both directs and stars in a daring new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, alongside powerhouse actor Cynthia Erivo. The film, produced by Barbara Broccoli’s Eon Productions, is slated to shoot in Doha, Qatar, beginning in autumn 2026.
Oyelowo reprises the title role of Othello — a character he first embodied on stage — bringing a deeply personal understanding to the part. In this version, he steps behind the camera, directing the film through his own Yoruba Saxon banner. This marks a significant milestone in his creative journey: having made his feature directorial debut with The Water Man in 2020, Oyelowo continues to expand his storytelling ambitions.
Joining him is the Emmy, Grammy and Tony-award winning superstar Cynthia Erivo, cast as Emilia, a role that serves as emotional ballast in this reimagined tragedy. Oyelowo has called Erivo “a generational talent and a dear friend,” expressing how essential her artistry and courage are to his modern, ambitious vision for the film.
The adaptation will transport the classic story to a contemporary, war-torn desert landscape in the Middle East, highlighting the timeless conflicts of power, insecurity, and betrayal through a fresh lens. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Nicky Bentham, together with Oyelowo, plan to utilize Qatar’s new film incentives, helping to anchor the production in the region.
Oyelowo has said he aimed for a version of Othello that is “bitingly modern and fearlessly ambitious” — a bold reimagining that centers not just on one character, but on multiple perspectives, including Iago, Othello, Desdemona, and Emilia.
With his dual role as lead actor and director, and with Erivo by his side, Oyelowo is steering this project toward a new chapter in Shakespeare adaptation — one that resonates with urgency, complexity, and deeply human stakes.
— Reaves