Amazon has decided to not go forward with its plans to resume production for Amblin Partner's “Cortés y Moctezuma” due to increased production costs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Due to the production constraints created by the COVID-19 global pandemic, Amazon Studios and Amblin Partners are unable to move forward with production on our Cortés y Moctezuma series,” the two companies wrote in a statement.
Ordered in 2018, the project, described as the largest Spanish-language production of all time, was two weeks into filming in Mexico when it was shut down amid Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The show required a massive production with elaborate sets built on multiple stages, intricate props, a backlot filled with exact replicas of pyramids and hundreds of extras. “In the current climate, there is, unfortunately, no way to remount the production in the near future to achieve the scale and scope that was intended and that the series deserves," the statement read. "We have nothing but admiration and respect for Javier, Tenoch, Yoshira, Gael, Diego, Steve Zaillian, and the entire cast and crew of the series and hope we can work together again in the future.”
The show was a priority project for Amazon Studios Head Jennifer Salke who visited Mexico City in late February to tour the elaborate sets and attend a table read. It starred and was executive produced by Oscar winner Javier Bardem and executive produced by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna. It was written by Oscar winner Steve Zaillian and also starred Tenoch Huerta and Yoshira Escárrega.
Several other show have had similar fate as the industry seeks to resume TV production under strict safety guidelines that often greatly increase costs. Netflix recently reversed course on new seasons of the YA dramas “The Society” and “I Am Not Okay With This,” and truTV canceled plans for another season of Andrea Savage’s “I’m Sorry” last month. The company's production team will apply the significant designated funds to ensure the land used for sets and other production activities is left in the same or better state than when the series’ team arrived.
The four-episode miniseries starred Javier Bardem as Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes, the 16th-century colonizer who led a rebellious expedition to the heart of King Montezuma II’s Aztec empire.
In the current climate, there is, unfortunately, no way to remount the production in the near future to achieve the scale and scope that was intended and that the series deserves. We have nothing but admiration and respect for Javier, Tenoch, Yoshira, Gael, Diego, Steve Zaillian, and the entire cast and crew of the series and hope we can work together again in the future.” Amazon Studios, Amblin Partners
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