Written by Elia Esparza
Buzzing in the trades today is the news that Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle) and Diego Luna (Rogue One: Star Wars Story), have inked a first-look deal with Amazon. And, these two actors are also executive producers on Amazon’s upcoming limited series Untitled Cortes and Moctezuma Project.
Bernal and Luna will create and produce content for Amazon Studios to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. These two Mexican mega film titans also recently announced they’ve launched a new production company in Mexico, La Corriente del Golfo, an indie company for cinematic, theatrical, and television productions and an array of community-oriented projects.
We are delighted and grateful at La Corriente del Golfo for our first-look deal with Amazon Studios,” said Bernal. “This provides an opportunity for us and for talent in Latin America to create ambitious and interesting projects.”
Amazon Studios and Amblin Televison are bringing the four-hour epic drama, The Untitled Cortes and Moctezuma Project, to the forefront. The drama maps the inexorable march and eventual clash between Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II– an event that led to the annihilation of an empire and tragic downfall of a civilization that took centuries to build. It was destroyed in less than two years.
We are very excited to work hand in hand with Amazon, as this will allow us to reach new audiences and to tell stories that represent us and reflect our realities,” said Luna.
The limited series stars Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), who also serves as executive producer. Written by Academy Award-winner Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List) and based on the Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday) screenplay.
Bardem, Bernal, and Luna will executive produce alongside Zaillian, Kirk Douglas (Spartacus), Grant Hill (The Tree of Life), and co-Presidents of Amblin Television Darryl Frank (The Americans) and Justin Falvey (The Americans).
Vernon Sanders, Co-Head of Television, Amazon Studios said, “We are incredibly excited to expand Amazon Studios’ relationship with the multitalented team of Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. Their talent, creativity, and global perspective will undoubtedly result in even more compelling content for our Amazon Prime Video customers.”