Discussion: Production Notes

"If you were a co-producer of The Tudors, what type of series would you be interested in producing once the show is finished?"

"KOB, you certainly keep this dicussion board hopping with interesting topics.
I would like to see a series about the Medici family of Florence, but I would like to see a bit more historical accuracy, and less playing fast and loose with the facts.. Have the actors either physically resemble or costumed and made up up to actually resemble their historical counterparts.
The Medici number monarchs and Popes among their family members. They were patrons of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Poliziano, and many other aritists, poets, and musicians. There is plenty of drama. They are a vast subject, however, and it might be too expensive to make a good series about them. They influenced the politics of Florence and the Papacy papacy in one way or another for at least 200 years. In fact, Clement VII who dragged his feet on granting Henry VIII's annulment, then later declared his first marriage valid was born Giulio di Medici."

"...Oh, and by the way, they could cast some real Italians in the lead roles, not non-Italians with British accents...."

"AD, you certainly keep me hopping with things to think about. Let me get through the English before I tackle Italy. Ho Ho, sounds very interesting. Now who would you cast in the main roles (remembering the accurate physical portrayls) and what would be the focus, especially if as producer your time and budget were limited? I have to go to purgatory (nursing home) now and eagerly await your response."

"I didn't have any particular actors in mind for cast members, just the suggestion that casting look to Italy or at least actors of Italian descent. If we were being true to history, most of them would have to be at the very least homely (I'm sure you've seen paintings of Lorenzo "il Magmifico" di Medici) . Most of them are very like him. His death mask exists, and I have seen photos of it. He was nothing to look at. Homely is a charitable description. I guess they might have to choose handsomer actors if they want anyone to watch. They would have to focus on an aspect of the Medici to reign in the cost: the Medici in politics, their amours (that would probably find a wide audience), the Medici and their relationships with their artists (Did you know that the sculptor Torregiano who did the tomb sculptures for Henry VII and Elizabeth of York among others was one of the young artists patronized by the Medici? He left Italy for England after breaking Michelangelo's nose in an argument over who was the better sculptor. Michelangelo often provoked other sculptors by tooting his own horn and claiming to be the best.), the Medici in war (Giovanni delle Bande Nere di Medici who died of a war wound at the age of 26 was the last of the condottiieri -contract soldiers- in Italy) . Now for him they might accurately cast a handsome actor. Or, they could focus on the career of the leader of the family in a particular period. Again, Lorenzo di Medici 1449 - 1492 would be the best. I think the people he patronzed and interacted with would be more recognizable and of interest to non-Italians. "

"I would also like to see Dante's "Inferno" made into a film. With the computer-generated technology available today, it could be done believably. For those who've never read it, it is the story of the poet Dante's journey though Hell with the poet Virgil as guide. "Inferno" is the beginning of the "Divine Commedy" which takes Dante thorough Hell and Purgatory,on a journey culminating in his redemption in Heaven. In Hell and Purgatory, sinners are punished with sin-appropriate punishments. Dante placed some of his political and spiritual enemies in Hell, including some Popes. He was also a believer in two systems for governing; the monarchy and the Papacy. Dante's view of Hell has been the main influence on our vision of it. The "Inferno" is the most riveting of the "Divine Comedy". I've always thought it would make a great film. Of course it would have to be condensed.
About a promo for the "Medici", I need to think about it. "