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.”
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.
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)
