Lorenzo Richelmy will star as Marco Polo in Netflix original series. (PRNewsFoto/Netflix, Inc.)
Marco Polo may be a household name, but few know the story of the man behind it.
The Weinstein Company plans to tell that story in a new Netflix original series “Marco Polo” which is set to premiere in late 2014.
“Marco Polo is a figure all have heard of, but few truly know, and we are excited to introduce him to the world. And we are shooting all over the world,” Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company, said in a press release.
Marco Polo’s journey takes him to 13th century China, where war battles, politics, martial arts and sexual intrigue ensue.
Lorenzo Richelmy will star as the famous explorer. Other leading cast members include Benedict Wong of “Promethius,” Zhu Zhu of “Cloud Atlas,” Tom Wu of “Skyfall,” Remy Hii and Rick Yune.
The first episodes will be shot in Italy, Kazakhstan and Malaysia and will be directed by Academy Award nominees Joachim Roenning and Espen Sandberg, the directors of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”
Dan Minahan, known for his work with “Game of Thrones” and “True Blood,” will also direct two episodes.
Creator and co-executive producer John Fusco is known for writing “Forbidden Kingdom,” “Young Guns” and “Hidalgo.”
“From the sweeping vistas of Kazakhstan which act as backdrop for the wars and conquests of Kublai Khan to the intimate moments within the alleys and canals of Marco’s hometown of Venice, Italy, this is spectacle in the truest sense of the word,” Weinstein said.
“We are proud to present a series that rivals some of the most successful films we’ve ever made,” he said.
The Weinstein Company has won 82 Academy Awards and has released such films as “Silver Linings Playbook,” “The Artist” and “Django Unchained”.
“In this commanding, epic story of Marco Polo, through the magnetic cast they’ve assembled, the spectacular martial arts work they are showcasing and the exotic locations that serve as a backdrop, they have really outdone themselves,” Netflix Chief Content Editor Ted Sarandos said.
Follow the “Marco Polo” Twitter account for updates.
