Spielberg hopes to sit behind the lens, and Bardem is keen to play one of the lead roles in the Montezuma vs. Cortez project.
- January 7, 2014
AceShowbiz -
"Montezuma", a screenplay written by blacklisted scribe Dalton Trumbo, finally sees the light of the day almost 50 years after it was in limbo. Now under development at DreamWorks, the project could have Steven Spielberg as a director and Javier Bardem as the lead actor as the two have expressed their interests to be involved in it.
The long-delayed script revolves around the conflict between Aztec's emperor Montezuma and Spanish explorer Hernan Cortez as the latter led an expedition to Mexico to add to Spain's riches. The planned big-screen adaptation could be renamed "Cortez" since it is expected to be told from the conquistador's point of view.
Trumbo previously penned the story as a starring vehicle for Kirk Douglas following their successful collaborations in "Spartacus" and "Lonely Are the Brave". Steve Zaillian, who previously worked with Spielberg on Oscar-winning "Schindler's List", will rewrite the screenplay. He is also on board to produce the film along with the director.
Trumbo was blacklisted by Hollywood in 1950s. He was one of the Hollywood Ten rejecting a demand to testify to the House Committee on Un-American Activities when the HUAC set a communist witch hunt within the American entertainment industry. He spent 11 months in prison for contempt due to his refusal.
