The "abandoned project" in question is Caligula (1979), which he co-directed with Gore Vidal and Bob Guccione, who later recut much of the film and added several sexually explicit scenes. (Brass' films are more family-friendly. You usually get to see only bare buttocks and rubber penises.) In the Caligula cast: Malcolm McDowell, John Gielgud, Helen Mirren, and Peter O'Toole.
The new Caligula would begin after the death of the Roman emperor's sister Drusilla. With Rome's coffers empty, Caligula comes up with a brilliant idea: the wives of the Roman senators should earn the State some much-needed cash by becoming prostitutes. But that doesn't go over all that well in the Roman Senate. As a result, a group of senators attempts a coup d'etat led by Claudius and Messalina.
"The first film discussed the orgy of power; this one will show the power of orgy," the filmmaker affirmed [http://www.alphabetcity.it/index.php?com=articolo&id=4322], calling his 3D project "a magnificent hope."
Brass added that he's all set to begin casting and jotting down the screenplay. Filming should commence in the spring.