Werner Herzog held a Q&A on Reddit on 12 July 2016 and was asked a few questions about Queen of the Desert, including what happened to the US release date:

Why did you choose to focus on Gertrude Bell’s personal life/romances in Queen of the Desert?

Yeah, that was a very clear decision not to create a biopic. You see biopics normally do not work when in movies. Of course their are exceptions, for example Gandhi. Audiences would see a biopic let’s say on television but in this case it was a big epic feature film that I wanted to have on big screens and I was very fascinated by the emotional life of Gertrude Bell, I was interested in the tragedy of her love stories, I was interested in her poetry. A lot of the film is about poetry and translating poetry. It’s a lot about solitude, it’s a lot about empty spaces, it’s a lot about music. These elements are more interesting than just a simple biopic. That has created some controversy but I must say I don’t really care, I believe the film is beautiful as it is. We have phenomenal acting in it, Nicole Kidman and some of her great male stars like Robert Pattinson, James Franco, and Damian Lewis. It’s a film that set its course from the very beginning, don’t do a biopic, go for what’s much more fascinating.

Do you have any idea when Queen of the Desert will get a US release?

Unfortunately I don’t. There was a problem between the production company and the studio. The film reverted back to the production company after there was some disagreement over money and all sorts of things. Hopefully by the end of the year it will be time. I has been shown in some countries, Germany for example. It should be out in theaters. I’m anxious to see it on screen.

Thanks Lisa for the heads up.