Martin Scorsese has yet another project bubbling away, though it’s one that, like Boardwalk Empire, he’s largely involved in shepherding rather than the day-to-day work. He’s assisting** Mississippi Burning** writer Chris Gerolmo with developing Cortes for HBO.
The show is aiming to tell the epic story of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, who battled the Aztec empire and brought it down, Malinche, the Mayan girl who was by his side as he did, and Montezuma (more accurately spelled 'Moctezuma'), the leader he first befriended and then locked in chains. Depending on your point of view, he was either a saint or a sinner, a hero or an invading menace who helped to destroy one of the greatest civilisations known to man. It's a compelling enough subject that Steven Spielberg is also planning a film based on the story.
Benicio Del Toro is also involved in the gestating series as an executive producer, and according to Deadline he may also be interested in the lead role. We’ll have to wait and see how this one develops, but given Scorsese’s involvement – he helped get Boardwalk Empire to the channel, and has another HBO pilot set up with Mick Jagger – this one stands a better chance than many.