Cortes (miniseries)

Cortés was a planned, but never made, American historical drama streaming television miniseries created and written by Steven Zaillian and starring Javier Bardem. The series was set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but was ultimately canceled in late 2020 before production resumed.

Cortes
GenreHistorical period drama
Created bySteven Zaillian
Based onMontezuma
by Dalton Trumbo
Written by
  • Steven Zaillian
Directed by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production company
Release
Original networkAmazon Prime Video
Related
Hernán

Premise

The four-episode series was to follow "the legendary conqueror, Hernán Cortés, who led a rebellious expedition to the heart of King Moctezuma II’s Aztec Empire, connecting two civilizations for the first time and changing the course of history."[1]

Cast and characters

Production

Development

In 1965, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo finished a 205-page draft of a screenplay entitled Montezuma, with a story centered around the complicated relationship between Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and Aztec leader Moctezuma II. The film was written with intent of having Martin Ritt direct and Kirk Douglas play the role of Cortés. The production ultimately never came together.[2]

In 2014, it was reported that Steven Spielberg was considering directing Montezuma from a screenplay written by Steven Zaillian based on the original script by Trumbo. It was further reported that the film might be retitled Cortes as the new screenplay featured him as the main character.[2]

On March 26, 2018, it was announced that the project had been redeveloped from a film into a television miniseries and that Amazon had given it an order for four episodes. The series was created and written by Steven Zaillian who is also set to executive produce alongside Spielberg, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, and Javier Bardem.[1][3][4][5][6] On October 3, 2019, it was reported that Ciro Guerra and Cristina Gallegos would direct the miniseries, while Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna would executive produce.[7]

The series was to be filmed in Spanish, Nahuatl and Chontal Mayan, from scripts translated by David Bowles.[8] However, in September 2020, Amazon decided to withdraw from its partnership with Amblin on the miniseries, effectively scrapping the project due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Casting

Alongside the initial series announcement, it was confirmed that Javier Bardem, who was initially attached to the project when it was a feature film, had been cast in the lead role of Hernán Cortés.[1] In February 2020, it was further announced that Tenoch Huerta will play Moctezuma II, Aztec Emperor, while Yoshira Escárrega takes on the role of Malintzin or Marina, the strategic partner, translator and consort of Hernán Cortés.[10] Ammar Aldieri was to play the role of Tapeia. However, the project never got off the ground.[11]

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (March 26, 2018). "Amazon Greenlights Hernan Cortes Miniseries Starring Javier Bardem From Steven Spielberg & Steve Zaillian". Deadline. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  2. Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 6, 2014). "Steven Spielberg, Javier Bardem, Steve Zaillian Circle Montezuma-Cortez Epic From Script By Blacklisted Writer Dalton Trumbo". Deadline. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  3. Holloway, Daniel (March 26, 2018). "Javier Bardem, Steven Spielberg, Steven Zaillian Partner for Amazon Miniseries". Variety. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  4. Goldberg, Lesley (March 26, 2018). "Amazon Revives Dalton Trumbo's 'Cortes': Javier Bardem to Star in Mini From Steven Spielberg, Steven Zaillian". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  5. Nakamura, Reid (March 26, 2018). "Javier Bardem to Star in Amazon's 'Cortes' Miniseries From Steven Spielberg, Steven Zaillian". The Wrap. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  6. "Amazon Studios Greenlights a New Series, Cortes — Steven Spielberg and Steven Zaillian Set to Executive Produce and Javier Bardem Set to Star and Executive Produce". Business Wire. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  7. Kanter, Jake (2019-10-03). "Gael García Bernal & Diego Luna To Executive Produce Amazon's Hernan Cortes Miniseries Starring Javier Bardem". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  8. @DavidOBowles (3 October 2020). "Since I've gotten my official notice of termination, I feel safe sharing" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. Otterson, Jose (September 3, 2020). "Amazon Pulls Plug on 'Cortes y Moctezuma' Miniseries Starring Javier Bardem Due to COVID-19". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  10. Petski, Denise (2020-02-24). "Tenoch Huerta & Yoshira Escárrega Join Javier Bardem In Amazon's Hernan Cortes Limited Series". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  11. "Cortes Season 1 Release Date And Who Is In Cast?". Pop Culture Times. 2020-07-25. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
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