And Cinecitta's management says it needs to be re-structured to help it compete and lure back the top directors.

BBC: Italy film industry: Battle on for Cinecitta studios

"The actual economic situation worldwide is changing, " said Cinecitta's managing director, Giuseppe Basso.

BBC: Italy film industry: Battle on for Cinecitta studios

But before that, the last really major international films made at Cinecitta were Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, shot way back in 2004, and Martin Scorsese's The Gangs of New York, which came out a decade ago.

BBC: Italy film industry: Battle on for Cinecitta studios