‘Marco Polo’ to Feature an International Cast

Lorenzo Richelmy Stars in Marco Polo
Lorenzo Richelmy stars in ‘Marco Polo’ (Photo Courtesy of The Weinstein Company/Netflix)

The Weinstein Company and Netflix have revealed the cast for the upcoming adventure series Marco Polo coming to Netflix in late 2014. Lorenzo Richelmy will star as Marco Polo in a cast that includes Benedict Wong, Zhu Zhu, Tom Wu, Remy Hii, and Rick Yune.

Filming is currently underway on the epic series, which will shoot in Italy, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia.

The Weinstein Company is producing the 10-episode first season. John Fusco (Forbidden Kingdom, Young Guns) created the series and is executive producing along with Harvey Weinstein and Dan Minahan. Minahan is also on board to direct two episodes. Kon-Tiki‘s filmmaking team of Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg are set to direct episodes one and two of Marco Polo.

“Television audiences today are more discerning than ever before both in terms of character and the scope of the worlds those characters live in. We are proud to present a series that rivals some of the most successful films we’ve ever made. 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. 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,” said Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company.

“John, Dan, Joachim, Espen and our partners at The Weinstein Company are elevating the art of storytelling and delivering cinematic quality that we’re certain our members will enjoy,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “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.”

The Plot: The famed explorer’s journey takes him to the center of a brutal war in 13th-century China, a world replete with exotic martial arts, political skullduggery, spectacular battles and sexual intrigue.