Amazon has today given a series order to the four-part miniseries Cortes starring Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) and written by Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List, The Night Of) based on the screenplay by the late Dalton Trumbo.
The miniseries revolves around legendary conquistador Hernan Cortes (Bardem), who led a rebellious expedition to the heart of King Montezuma II's Aztec empire, connecting two civilizations for the first time and changing the course of history.
Zaillian and Bardem will executive produce with Steven Spielberg, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey. Amblin Television will produce.
"We are so pleased that Amazon has given us the opportunity to bring this exciting 500-year-old story to Prime Video members worldwide," said Frank and Falvey, co-heads of Amblin Television. "It is a part of history that had such a significant impact and largely influenced modern day civilizations."
"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," added Bardem. "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."
"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."
