Alex Proyas Takes Over Directing AI-Enabled Historical Epic CORTÉS Starring Antonio Banderas

Director Alex Proyas (Dark City, The Crow, I, Robot) has signed on to helm CORTÉS, an AI-enabled historical epic starring Antonio Banderas as the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. The film, set in 1519, blends AI filmmaking technology with traditional production and also centers on Cortés's Indigenous interpreter Marina. Proyas takes over from French filmmaker Paul Mignot, who was originally announced as director when production began in Paris and Spain; the production confirmed Mignot remains attached to the project in another capacity, though no further explanation for the change was provided.

The project represents Proyas's most prominent directing assignment since Gods of Egypt in 2016. The integration of AI filmmaking tools into a prestige historical narrative — anchored by a recognizable star — signals continued momentum for AI-assisted production at the feature level.