Did You Know?
Screenwriter Rose Bosch got the idea for the project when she discovered millions of untranslated parchments while researching an article on Columbus. After joining forces with a French film executive, she finally found an interested director in Ridley Scott, who had always wanted to make a movie about Columbus. Scott agreed to direct the film on one condition: Columbus must be played by Gérard Depardieu. Depardieu was contacted, and eager to take the part.
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Francis Ford Coppola, Roland Joffé and Oliver Stone were all approached to direct before Ridley Scott took up the offer.
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Sigourney Weaver was always Ridley Scott's first choice to play Queen Isabella. However, when re-shoots for Alien³ were taking longer than expected, Anjelica Huston was considered for the role. Weaver became available only at the last minute.
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