Wicked: For Good’s Cynthia Erivo to star in desert-set Othello adaptation filming in Qatar

David Oyelowo will direct and reprise his lead role in the modern reimagining, which will use Qatar’s new production incentive

Cynthia Erivo will play Emilia in a new film adaptation of Othello. Getty Images

A new film adaptation of Othello, led by Cynthia Erivo and David Oyelowo, will begin filming in Qatar in autumn 2026 under the country's new incentive scheme.

The project is inspired by the acclaimed New York Theatre Workshop production directed by Sam Gold, and will bring back several members of the original cast.

David Oyelowo (Selma), who starred as Othello on stage, will direct the film and return in the title role. Cynthia Erivo – who stars in Wicked: For Good, which just scored one of the year's best box office openings at the weekend – will play Emilia, while Rachel Brosnahan (Superman) will reprise the role of Desdemona.

The screenplay reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy in a contemporary, war-torn desert in the Middle East.

Producers are Barbara Broccoli (the James Bond franchise) and Nicky Bentham for Eon Productions, with Oyelowo also producing for Yoruba Saxon. Production will take place in Doha and will utilise the new Qatar Screen Production Incentive, the national rebate scheme launched this week by the Film Committee.

From left: producers Nicky Bentham and Barbara Broccoli; actor, writer and director David Oyelowo; Hassan Al Thawadi, chairman of the Film Committee at Media City Qatar; and Fatma Al Rumaihi, chief executive of Doha Film Institute have joined forces for a new film adaptation of Othello. Getty Images

“I’ve wanted to produce the cinematic adaptation of Othello since we staged the production in New York in 2016,” Broccoli said. “We thank the Film Committee for their support and look forward to shooting in Qatar in autumn 2026.”

Oyelowo said the new adaptation will take a bold approach to the play.

“Our cinematic version of Othello is bitingly modern and fearlessly ambitious,” he said. “To have a real shot at that, you need fearless actors. Cynthia is not only a generational talent, but a dear friend with whom I am always keen to collaborate, and Rachel was a dream to play opposite in our original stage production and has been an inspiring pillar to build around for our fresh take on this legendary tale.”

Further casting, crew and location details will be announced at a later date.