Donald Trumbo, the screenwriter who was part of the Hollywood 10 and was blacklisted in the 1950s, wroteMontezuma, which explores the complicated relationship between Cortes and the Aztec emperor Montezuma, in the 1960s. It was intended to reteam the writer with star Kirk Douglas, whom starred in Trumbo’s classic Spartacus.
The project fell by the wayside but now has found a home, decades later, with DreamWorks.
Spielberg has been looking for a project to direct since shelvingRobopocalypse last year. He had intended to direct Bradley Cooper in American Sniper but parted ways with Warner Bros. over budgetary differences (Clint Eastwood is now on board to direct the project, which should shoot this year.)
Spielberg is notorious for developing, some might even say over-developing, projects but not pulling the trigger. But Zaillian and Spielberg have a long history and the two made Schindler’s List into a Oscar-winning hit. It is, however, unclear what other projects Spielberg is developing in addition toMontezuma that might vie for his attention.
Also unclear is where the project will ultimately land. Dreamworks has a first look deal with Disney and its movies are released under the Touchstone label. Disney will get first crack at the project and if it passes, Fox could be a possible home as Zaillian and his shingle, Film Rites, has their first-look there.
by Borys Kit
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