Amazon just announced that they have ordered a four-episode historical miniseries following the life of Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes. Even though that sounds like an interesting development all on its own, the real cause for excitement is that actor Javier Bardem is signed on to play Cortes and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television is signed on to produce.
Written by Steven Zallian, best known for writing the Spielberg epic “Schindler’s List,” this Cortes project got its start over 50 years ago when writer Dalton Trumbo had originally scripted a feature film, titled “Montezuma,” about the famous explorer. However, that screenplay was never produced. Now, Zallian is apparently working off of this screenplay for the upcoming miniseries.
READ MORE: Amazon’s ‘The Tick’ Is An Oddball Answer To ‘The Dark Knight’ [Review]
“Cortes’ epic discoveries shaped the world as we know it today, and through the minds of Amblin, Steven Spielberg, Steve Zaillian and Javier Bardem, we will bring Prime Video members on an exhilarating journey,” said Sharon Yguado, head of scripted series, Amazon Studios. “There are few moments in history that shape an entire culture such as Cortes’ story, and this series will be one filled with drama and adventure.”
Javier Bardem is also excited about working on the project, saying, “It is a privilege to tell this epic story— one that is full of drama and conflict within this huge, historical spectacle where two distant civilizations clash at the height of their reign. The best and worst of human nature came to life in all its light and darkness. As an actor, there is no better challenge than to serve such a unique project that I have been passionate about for years, and I am thrilled to be working with this dream team of Steven Spielberg, Steven Zaillian, and Amazon.”
This Cortes miniseries is clearly another step in the direction of event programming that Amazon has been hoping to shift towards. In an attempt to move away from more independent, critical darlings, the streaming service is hoping to spend big on high-profile talent to attract more people to its Prime Video service.
No release date for this project is set, but you can be sure that we’ll bring you any info we can get our hands on, as the series progresses.
