Hannibal: Ascendancy (film)

Hannibal: Ascendancy is a historical epic film based on the Second Punic War and is set in the 'Ancient Rome Cinematic Universe (ARCU). It is the second film of the Hannibal Trilogy'. It is the sequel to Hannibal the Conqueror. The film takes place between 218-215 BC.

The film stars Vin Diesel, Winston Duke, Gal Gadot, Penelope Cruz, Gary Cole, John David Washington, and James Purefoy. Like the rest of the ARCU, the film is mostly historically accurate, with some minor adjustments in order to make it cinematic.

Plot
Hannibal (Vin Diesel) finishes crossing the Alps with his legions, which include his brother-in-law Maharbal (WInston Duke), wife Imilce (Penelope Cruz), and brother Mago (Wentworth Miller). It was a long and treacherous journey. He defeats various Gallic tribes, and many join him on his Carthaginian conquest of Rome.

The strengthened Carthaginian force defeat a Roman army led by Tiberius Longus (John Jarratt) and Publius Scipio (Matt Nable) near modern-day Turin. Longus insists on persisting and is killed in the fight. Scipio and others escape and return to Rome. The Senate instructs him on joining his brother Gnaeus Scipio (Matthew Johns) on the Hispania front against Hasdrubal Barca (John David Washington).

Fabius Maximus is subsequently promoted as dictator of Rome amid panic. However, his delaying strategies, despite fairly successful, caused disagreement with the aggressive Roman general Gaius Varro (James Purefoy) and the centrist Lucius Aemilius Paullus (Bryan Brown). Meanwhile in Hispania, the Scipios have some success against Hasdrubal. Fabius Maximus consults with the Sibyl of Cumae (Karin Konoval).

Varro and Paullus lead the Romans into battle at the Battle of Cannae. In this epic climax, the Varro escapes with his life while Paullus stays with his troops and dies honorably. Hannibal walks to the gates of Rome.

Cast

 * Vin Diesel as Hannibal Barca
 * Winston Duke as Maharbal
 * Wentworth Miller as Mago Barca
 * Penelope Cruz as Imilce
 * Gary Cole as Quintus Fabius Maximus
 * John David Washington as Hasdrubal Barca
 * James Purefoy as Gaius Terentius Varro
 * Matt Nable as Publius Scipio
 * Bryan Brown as Lucius Aemilius Paullus
 * Karin Konoval as The Sibyl of Cumae
 * Tony Shalhoub as Hanno
 * Rick Warden as Gaius Flaminius
 * Matthew Johns as Gnaeus Scipio
 * Christopher Plummer as The Councillor
 * John Jarratt as Tiberius Sempronius Longus
 * Patrick Wilson as Orissus

Sequel
The final film in the Hannibal Trilogy is Hannibal: Zenith.