The project was the brainchild of Turkey’s state-run broadcaster, TRT, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. The goal was unambiguous: to reclaim the narrative of the 12th-century Kurdish-Muslim leader who recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187. In a decade marked by President Erdoğan’s neo-Ottoman foreign policy, Saladin was the perfect icon—a unifier of fractured Muslim lands, a chivalrous warrior, and a merciful conqueror.
The director’s chair was given to Sedat İnci, a veteran of Turkish historical dramas. His mandate? Authenticity over Hollywood melodrama. “We are tired of seeing our heroes through Orientalist lenses,” İnci told a press gathering in Antalya. “Saladin was a man of justice. We will show his war councils, his poetry, his mercy to the Christians of Jerusalem. We will not reduce him to a sword-wielding cliché.”
There is no Saladin film from 2017.
The one we almost had died geopolitics.
The one we do have (Kingdom of Heaven – Director’s Cut) remains the gold standard.
The one we deserve remains unmade.
Recommendation for 2017 viewing:
Rating for the non-existent 2017 Saladin film: ★★★★½ (what could have been)
If you are looking for a "Saladin" movie from 2017, you are likely referring to the in the animated adventure film , which was released on Netflix and in theaters that year.
While "Saladin" is also the name of the famous historical sultan often depicted in epics like Kingdom of Heaven (2005), the 2017 entry is a unique animated take. Guide to Saladin in
In this CGI-animated film, Saladin is not a historical leader but a purple cobra who serves as a minor antagonist. Role & Personality
: Saladin is the arrogant leader of the "Dusties" (venomous snakes living in the desert). He is a bully who frequently belittles the protagonist,
, for being a "loser" and for not having completed his first molt. Key Plot Point
: Early in the film, Saladin steals a watermelon that Ajar and his scorpion friend,
, had managed to scavenge. His constant teasing is what finally motivates Ajar to sneak into the Oasis to prove himself. Voice Cast English version : Voiced by Mathew Mackay French version : Voiced by Roschdy Zem Alternative 2017 Historical Content
If you were looking for historical depictions of the Sultan Saladin released around that time, you may be thinking of:
In 2017, a notable project surfaced titled , a planned Pakistani historical epic directed by
, a Columbia University film graduate. While a teaser trailer was released that year to showcase the film's visual ambition, the project primarily sought funding to become a full feature. The proposed story for this version of
was intended to be a grand, cinematic retelling of the life of Salahuddin Ayyubi saladin film 2017
, the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Based on the project's focus and historical context, here is the developed narrative outline for that film: Story Outline: Saladin (2017 Project) The Unifier's Rise
: The story begins with the fragmentation of the Muslim world in the 12th century. It follows a young, devout Salahuddin as he rises through the ranks in Damascus under Sultan Nur ad-Din, eventually becoming the Vizier of Egypt. The Breaking of the Truce : The central conflict is ignited by the treachery of Raynald of Châtillon
, a Crusader lord who violates established treaties by attacking Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. This act of aggression forces Saladin to abandon diplomacy for a decisive military campaign. The Road to Jerusalem : The narrative builds toward the legendary Battle of Hattin
(1187). The film highlights Saladin’s strategic brilliance as he lures the heavily armored Crusader army into the parched terrain of the "Horns of Hattin," leading to a total victory and the capture of King Guy of Lusignan. A Just Conquest
: In stark contrast to the bloody First Crusade, the climax focuses on Saladin’s peaceful reclamation of
. The story emphasizes his mercy and chivalry, allowing the Christian inhabitants to leave the city safely—an act that earned him respect from friend and foe alike. Clash of Icons : The final act introduces the Third Crusade King Richard the Lionheart
. The story shifts from physical combat to a psychological and ideological duel between two leaders who share a deep, mutual respect for each other’s honor. Legacy of Peace
: The film concludes not with a final victory, but with the signing of a treaty that allows pilgrims of all faiths to access the Holy City, cementing Saladin’s legacy as a ruler who prioritized justice and humanity over mere conquest. Thematic Elements
The 2017 vision for the film aimed to move away from "safe" romantic comedies and instead deliver an epic period drama with visuals comparable to Game of Thrones . Its core themes included: Saladin (1963) - FAQ - IMDb
" released in 2017. The most prominent cinematic portrayals of Saladin (Salahuddin Ayyubi) are found in much earlier works or contemporary academic discussions. Likely References
If you are looking for a "Saladin film" around that timeframe, you may be thinking of one of the following: Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
: This is the most famous modern portrayal of Saladin, played by Ghassan Massoud. While released in 2005, it remains a central point of discussion in articles and reviews as recently as 2024 and 2025. Saladin the Victorious (1963)
: A classic Egyptian epic directed by Youssef Chahine. This film is often revisited by modern film historians and was a significant subject of academic podcasts and articles in 2020.
Academic Work (2017): In 2017, a notable master's thesis titled "Inventing Saladin: The role of the Saladin legend in European culture and identity
" was published by Brian C. David. This paper heavily analyzes how films like Kingdom of Heaven have shaped the modern Western image of Saladin. Common Portrayals of Saladin in Cinema The project was the brainchild of Turkey’s state-run
Reviews and historical write-ups generally focus on several key themes regarding his film presence:
The "Chivalrous" Leader: Modern films often depict Saladin as a dignified, principled leader rather than a villain, specifically to provide balance to the Crusades' history. Historical Nuance vs. Fiction:
Critics frequently point out that while films capture his famous magnanimity—such as sparing the inhabitants of Jerusalem—they often downplay his religious motivations in favor of a "modern" or "generic" sense of tolerance to appeal to contemporary audiences.
The Director's Cut: For those interested in his most nuanced portrayal, the Director's Cut of Kingdom of Heaven
is widely considered superior to the theatrical version, as it restores significant political depth and more scenes highlighting Saladin's strategic brilliance.
In early 2017, Umar Agha, a Columbia University film graduate, released a teaser for a film titled Saladin. The project was envisioned as a grand historical epic that would rival the cinematography and scale of popular western series like Game of Thrones.
Objective: The director sought to bridge cultural gaps by presenting Saladin's story—one defined by military brilliance and immense generosity—to a global audience.
Funding Challenges: Despite the high quality of the initial teaser, the project faced significant financial hurdles. At the time of its 2017 announcement, Agha was seeking to raise approximately $200,000 for a proof-of-concept trailer or short film to secure the larger budget needed for a full feature. Saladin in Other 2017 Media
While the live-action epic was the most discussed "Saladin film" of the year, the name also appeared in other 2017 media contexts:
Sahara (2017): In the French-Canadian animated film Sahara, a cobra character named Saladin appears as a minor antagonist.
Documentary Appearances: Historically focused documentaries, such as The Last Supper Of The Levant (2017), continued to explore the legacy of the Crusades and Saladin's geopolitical impact. The Legacy and Future of Saladin Projects
The 2017 buzz surrounding Umar Agha's project signaled a renewed interest in the Sultan's life, which eventually paved the way for other successful productions:
TV Series Evolution: Interest in the 2017 project likely influenced later collaborations, such as the major Turkish-Pakistani co-production series Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi (Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem), which premiered in 2023.
Animated Series: Earlier animated depictions, like Malaysia’s Saladin: The Animated Series, remained popular on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video around this time.
AI Innovations: Modern retellings have even moved into the AI space, such as the 2026 Pakistani-led AI-powered film The Next Salahuddin. If you are looking for a "Saladin" movie
Watch the teaser for the modern Turkish-Pakistani epic that follows in the footsteps of earlier Saladin film concepts:
The mention of a "Saladin film 2017" often refers to the lingering cultural impact and the "Director’s Cut" discussions of the epic Kingdom of Heaven
, which remains the most prominent modern cinematic portrayal of the Sultan.
While there isn't a major standalone Hollywood release from 2017 solely titled "Saladin," the character is best remembered through Ridley Scott's 2005 film, portrayed by Ghassan Massoud as a wise, honorable, and deeply philosophical leader. The Story: The Siege of Jerusalem
The narrative centers on the clash between the Crusader states and Saladin’s unifying Muslim forces in the late 12th century. Saladin’s Legacy: Some Thoughts - Andrew Holt, Ph.D.
By Film Historian & Middle East Cinema Enthusiast
The story of the 2017 Saladin begins not in Hollywood, but in the heart of the Islamic world. For years, directors from Turkey, Egypt, and Iran had attempted big-budget productions about Saladin. The most famous predecessor was Youssef Chahine’s Saladin the Victorious (1963), a landmark of Egyptian cinema. But by 2017, it was widely agreed that CGI, modern battle choreography, and global distribution networks could bring a new scale to the tale.
The project was spearheaded by a consortium of producers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, with creative input from Turkish historical consultants. Early press releases described Saladin as the most expensive Arab-produced film to date, with a budget estimated between $40 million and $60 million. The goal was ambitious: to create a blockbuster that could compete with Hollywood epics like Kingdom of Heaven (2005) while presenting a narrative firmly from the Islamic perspective.
Key details from the 2016-2017 production notes included:
Production began in the dusty plateaus of Cappadocia and the sprawling sets built outside Antalya, costing a reported $17 million—a staggering budget for Turkish cinema at the time. Thousands of extras, many of them army conscripts temporarily released for filming, donned chainmail and turbans. The cast was pan-Islamic: Turkish actors played the Ayyubid court, while guest stars from Egypt and Jordan filled out the Kurdish and Arab ranks.
The role of Saladin fell to yet-to-be-discovered actor Uğur Güneş, a brooding presence with a calm intensity. In a pivotal scene filmed over two weeks, Saladin’s army marches on the Horns of Hattin. The sun blazed at 40°C, and a stuntman lost two fingers in a sword clash gone wrong. But the real drama was off-camera.
Screenwriters clashed with historical advisors. The film’s early script had erased the role of Saladin’s Kurdish heritage, instead framing him as purely “Turkish.” After outcry from Iraqi and Syrian media, a hasty rewrite inserted a single line of dialogue where Saladin says, “My father was a Kurd from Dvin, but my sword speaks for all Muslims.”
Meanwhile, the depiction of the Crusaders was a minefield. To avoid alienating Western distributors (though few would pick it up), the filmmakers avoided pure villainy. The character of Reynald de Châtillon, the historical Crusader lord infamous for torturing prisoners, is shown as a snarling psychopath—but other Frankish knights are portrayed with grudging respect. “Saladin respected Richard,” the screenwriter noted. “So do we.”
Here lies the most common point of confusion. If you search for “Saladin film 2017” on YouTube or IMDb, you will find two entirely different things—neither of which is the failed UAE-Qatari epic.