Vin Diesel still talking about Hannibal — in Punic

Remember how Vin Diesel wanted to make an epic movie about Hannibal of Carthage — and in ancient Punic, no less?

I first mentioned it here ten months ago, and you might have been tempted to dismiss it as a mere vanity project that would never see the light of day, but The Independent reported last week that Diesel is still forging ahead — and is even scouting locations:

However, the shaven-headed star with the gym-buffed physique insists that he is deadly serious. Having recruited the same academic who translated Passion for Gibson, he spent much of this year scouting Spain for suitable locations. Diesel has said that he will direct and star in Hannibal the Conqueror, which is expected to go on general release in 2008.

(Hat tip to The ScreenGrab and The Movie Blog.)