Steven Spielberg May Direct 'Montezuma' With Javier Bardem

Steven Speilberg may be directing "Montezuma" with Javier Bardem attached to star.

Deadline reports that insiders have heard rumors that the legendary director will helm the project about an epic tale of the kinship and ultimately the bloody collision between Montezuma and Cortez as Cortez led the Spanish infiltration into Mexico.

The source also reports that Spanish actor Bardem is eyeing the role of Spanish explorer Cortez. According to Deadline, Steve Zaillian will write and produce the film.

The news comes as a surprise because Spielberg has yet to announce his next film. In 2013, the director had "Robopocalypse" as his followup to "Lincoln." However, he left the project citing script rewrites. Then he boarded "American Sniper," which has Bradley Cooper attached for the lead role. However, he decided to leave and the film was taken over by Clint Eastwood.

Speilberg recently directed "Lincoln" and "War Horse." He also helmed "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan," the "Indiana Jones" series, "War of the Worlds," and "Munich."

Bardem was recently seen in "The Counselor," Biutiful" and "Skyfall." He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and won for his work on "No Country For Old Men." He has also been seen in "To the Wonder," "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "Love in the Time of Cholera." He will next be seen in "The Gunman" with Idris Elba and Sean Penn.

Zaillian previously wrote "Schindler's List," "American Gangster," "Gangs of New York" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." He recently wrote "Exodus" for Ridley Scott, which will be released in the fall.