Turkish star Can Yaman is preparing Lux Vide’s reboot of the TV series “Sandokan”.
Turkish actor Can Yaman (“Daydream,” “Bitter Sweet”) stars in a late 19th-century fictional pirate play in a reboot of the cult Italian TV series “Sandokan.”
The show is being produced by Lux Vide, the Italian powerhouse behind “Medici,” “Devils” and the upcoming “Leonardo” skeins.
More of Variety
Based on a series of popular adventure novels written by Italian author Emilio Salgari, “Sandokan” chronicles the adventures of the titular pirate who, with his motley crew, fights against the colonial power of the Dutch and British empires in the south – East Asia
The original “Sandokan”, directed in 1976 by Sergio Sollima, catapulted Indian actor Kebir Bedi to Bollywood stardom, having sold in more than 85 countries worldwide.
The reboot, which is the brainchild of Lux CEO Luca Bernabei, will pair Yaman, who in addition to being a star in Turkey has a global following thanks to the popularity of Turkish dramas, with Italian actor Luca Argentero (“DOC” , “Eat Pray Love” ) who will play fellow pirate Yanez, Sandokan’s loyal sidekick.
The show is written by Alessandro Sermoneta (“Devils”) and Davide Lantieri (“The Guest”) and aims to be “a fresh, modern version of Salgari’s world,” according to a statement.
The production, currently in development, will begin principal photography in 2021 at Lux Vide studios outside Rome, as well as in “exotic international locations,” the statement said. The 8-episode first season is bankrolled by Lux, which is in talks with broadcasters and platforms to come on board.
In separate Lux news, the company is also launching a podcast label for which it has partnered with RTL, among Italy’s top radio networks.
From January, Lux Vide will launch its podcast productions in Italy. The slate includes the crime podcast “Alleghe,” inspired by the true story behind a series of murders known as the Alleghe Mysteries that took place between 1933 and 1946 near a lake of the same name in the Italian region of Veneto, and also “Women of the Bible”. ,” an adaptation of Lux Vide’s Emmy-winning TV movie series “The Bible,” told from a female perspective.
Also in the scripted and factual podcast pipeline are “Mythical Stories,” described in promotional materials as “a modern family twist on classic myths and legends,” narrated by Italian screenwriter Giovanni Scifoni, and the inspiring “Contra all prognosis”. which is said to be “dedicated to the true stories of exceptional men and women.”
COVID-19 has led to an increase in podcast listeners in Italy. According to Nielsen, in 2020 podcast consumption in the country increased by 15%, adding 1.8 million more listeners compared to 2019. IPSOS reports that, by now, 30% of Italians tune in to at least one podcast each month, representing an audience of 8.5 million regular listeners.
In a statement, Lux Vide CEO Luca Bernabei called the podcast partnership with RTL Radio “just the beginning of one of many future collaborations between our two companies.” RTL CEO Lorenzo Suraci said the goal is to “create and innovate a new cross-platform product, both online and on air.”
The best of the variety
Subscribe to the Variety newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
