Hollywood Opens Its Doors to 'The Man from Hattusha'

One of the producers behind the globally acclaimed Avatar film, Shawn Anthony Sequeira, has opened the doors of SAS Movie Studios for an ambitious new international project: The Man from Hattusha.

World-renowned filmmaker and producer Shawn Anthony Sequeira, whose signature appears on some of Hollywood’s most impactful global productions, is now preparing to bring the ancient civilizations of Anatolia to the international screen. SAS Movie Studios has greenlit production for The Man from Hattusha, a historical epic adapted from a novel written by archaeologist Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Çelik.

Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Çelik explained that his novel Hattushaziti: The Man from Hattusha, An Ancient Envoy from Anatolia is based on real events from the Hittite civilization—an era largely absent from mainstream world history—drawn from inscriptions found on stone tablets during archaeological excavations. Under the encouragement of Emmy-winning director Nazim Hajiyev, Çelik transformed the novel into a screenplay.

Set approximately 3,350 years ago during the era of the ancient Hittites, the novel recounts the historical moment when Queen Ankhesenamen, recently widowed by the death of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, requested the Hittite king Šuppiluliuma to send one of his sons to marry her. The Hittite envoy Hattushaziti (The Man from Hattusha) is dispatched to investigate the matter, setting off a dramatic chain of events. “We adapted the story into a screenplay filled with historical intrigue,” said Çelik, “and it has already garnered significant interest from Hollywood decision-makers.”

Speaking from Hollywood, Emmy-winning painter and director Nazim Hajiyev shared insights into the film’s potential: “This story is rooted in a real incident recorded on Hittite clay tablets. The Hittites were perhaps the most powerful civilization of their time—possibly even more influential than Egypt. Given Egypt’s well-documented global cultural legacy, it is remarkable that the Hittites remain so underrepresented in cinema and historical discourse. This screenplay sheds light on a pivotal but largely overlooked era in human history. After reading the novel, I recognized it as a hidden gem and urged its author, Assoc. Prof. Çelik, to adapt it into a film.”

Deeply moved by the novel, Hajiyev approached prominent Hollywood producer and director Anthony Shawn in Los Angeles to discuss the adaptation. “Based on the enthusiastic reactions I received,” Hajiyev said, “it became clear to me that The Man from Hattusha has the potential to become a landmark historical film. Even a veteran like Anthony Shawn—who has helmed numerous cinematic masterpieces—was unfamiliar with the depth of Hittite history. This story is unlike anything typically seen in historical cinema. It’s a cinematic treasure, and I believe it will resonate both in Turkish and global film history. That’s why Anthony Shawn has shown great enthusiasm and expressed strong interest in producing the film.”

Hajiyev believes that if The Man from Hattusha is realized with Hollywood’s capabilities, it could become a defining masterpiece in the historical film genre. “This will be a significant achievement for Turkish cinema,” he noted. “Global cinema is currently facing a creative drought, recycling similar narratives. At such a time, the emergence of an original, high-caliber film based on Turkish heritage could mark a breakthrough for the industry.”

Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Çelik is a distinguished archaeologist and academic known for his public engagement and contributions in the field of Anatolian and Mediterranean archaeology. He is a frequent guest on national television, a sought-after speaker, and editorial contributor in the field. Specializing in material culture, ancient civilizations, and museology, he has effectively bridged academic research with public education.

From 2015 to 2025, he has served as Deputy Director of the Antalya Archaeological Museum. He has also lectured on subjects such as Anatolian History and Art, History of Religions, Art History, and Civilization Studies at Akdeniz University’s Faculty of Tourism in Manavgat. In addition to television appearances on TRT, Haber Global, 24 TV, and NTV, he has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in international journals and books on archaeology.

Nazim Hajiyev (Nazim Gadzhiyev) is an award-winning art director and visual artist. Born on December 28, 1961, in Baku, Azerbaijan, he is now a citizen of the Republic of Turkey. Hajiyev graduated with honors from the Azerbaijan School of Fine Arts and later completed his studies at the Azerbaijan Cinematography University.

His illustrious career includes roles as art director, lead designer, and costume/set designer on numerous films. His work has been honored with multiple prestigious awards, including:

• First Prize at the XXI USSR Film Festival (1988)
• Azerbaijan State Award (1991)
• Golden Dyuk Award at the Odessa Film Festival
• Charlie Chaplin’s Golden Hand Award at Gabrovo Comedy Festival
• Multiple Emmy Awards (including Best Miniseries and Technical Categories)
• Best Original Story (2018)
• European Cinematography Award for Best European Film (2018)
• Jury Special Award at the Golden Pumpkin Short Film Competition (2019)

His notable filmography includes:

• The Kidnapping of the Groom (1985)

  – Set Designer
• Arabian Nights (2000)

  – Scenic Artist
• Snow Time (2018)

  – Art Director
• The Scoundrel (1988)

  – Lead Artist (Recognized as one of the best 35 films of all time in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Film Encyclopedia)