The four-episode series was to follow "the legendary conqueror, Hernán Cortés, who led a rebellious expedition to the heart of King Moctezuma II’s Aztec Empire, connecting two civilizations for the first time and changing the course of history.
"[1] In 1965, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo finished a 205-page draft of a screenplay entitled Montezuma, with a story centered around the complicated relationship between Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and Aztec leader Moctezuma II.
[1] The series was created and written by Steven Zaillian, who was also set to executive produce alongside Spielberg, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, and Javier Bardem.
[1][3][4][5][6] On October 3, 2019, it was reported that Ciro Guerra and Cristina Gallegos would direct the miniseries, while Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna would executive produce.
[7] In February 2020, it was announced that Tenoch Huerta would play Moctezuma II, Aztec Emperor, with Yoshira Escárrega in the role of Malintzin or Marina, the strategic partner, translator and consort of Hernán Cortés.