Steven Spielberg en Javier Bardem maken serie over Hernan Cortes

Amazon Studios heeft groen licht gegeven aan alle afleveringen van een vier uur durende miniserie gebaseerd op het verhaal van Hernan Cortes. Regisseur Steven Spielberg en scenarist Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List) werken samen aan het project, welke gebaseerd is op een oud scenario door Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday). Oscar-winnaar Javier Bardem zal de hoofdrol spelen in de serie.

We zien in het vooralsnog titelloze project hoe Cortes een expeditie aanvoerde die de ondergang betekende voor de Azteken. Grote delen van Mexico vielen hierdoor onder het bewind van Spanje, wat leidde tot de Spaanse kolonisatie van de rest van Midden- en Zuid-Amerika.

Sharon Yguado, Head of Scripted Series bij Amazon Studios, vertelde:

“Hernan 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. 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.”

Darryl Frank en Justin Falvey, co-heads van Amblin Television, zeiden:

“We are so pleased that Amazon has given us the opportunity to bring this exciting 500-year-old story to Prime Video members worldwide. It is a part of history that had such a significant impact and largely influenced modern day civilizations. With Javier as Cortes, we have the perfect star for this role, and we can’t wait to get started.” 

Javier Bardem vertelde:

“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.”