Martin Scorsese and Benicio Del Toro teaming for HBO series Cortes

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

With BOARDWALK EMPIRE ending this year, Martin Scorsese has several projects in development at the cable network. In addition to some documentaries to air on HBO, Scorsese is planning to direct the pilot for a 1970s set series about rock music from Terence Winter and Mick Jagger. But, there is another huge project Scorsese may be involved with alongside Benicio Del Toro.

Deadline reports that Scorsese will produce and may direct CORTES alongside Del Toro who may star in the historical drama series from MISSISSIPPI writer Chris Gerolmo.

Cortes will tell the sweeping story of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, who brought down the Aztec empire; Malinche, the Mayan girl who helped him do it; and Montezuma, the Aztec leader he befriended and finally put in chains.

Benicio Del Toro has played infamous historical figures Pablo Escobar and Che Guevara in recent years along with his most recent role as The Collector in this summer’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Getting the Oscar-winner on board for an HBO series all but guarantees awards honors in his future. Scorsese is already working on his Japanese-set period film SILENCE which would certainly be a nice fit alongside CORTES.

While BOARDWALK EMPIRE was not perfect, the production values were impeccable. HBO certainly has the resources to make this ambitious project look amazing. It is also a very volatile story that would make for very interesting television. Here’s hoping everything goes according to plan and we get to see CORTES in the near future.