Building “Marco Polo”
No expense was spared for big budget gamble “Marco Polo,” bowing Dec. 12 on Netflix. The 10-episode season reps the maiden voyage of the Weinstein Co. into scripted drama — and carries a reported $90 million pricetag, making the historical epic one of the most expensive productions in TV history. Toplined by Italian newcomer Lorenzo Richelmy, who learned English to play the title role, “Marco Polo” spanned two continents and three countries: Italy, Kazakhstan and Malaysia. Production designer Lilly Kilvert (“The Last Samurai”) and costume designer Tim Yip (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) oversaw a construction crew of 400 and an art department of 160. Costumes, props and armor were assembled from scratch, while 51 sets were built at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios to recreate the 13th century for 21st-century audiences. Co-showrunners John Fusco and Dan Minahan spoke with Variety about the lavish production as captured in these exclusive behind-the-scenes images.
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