Marco Polo Trailer Is Full Of Swords, Sex And Stunning Cinematography

Netflix has quite a few different projects on its upcoming slate, but none are on quite the same scale as Marco Polo, the epic adventure hitting the streaming service later this year. Check out the very first NSFW trailer below, which is light on dialogue and heavy on stunning imagery.

Wow, right? It’s like the apex of geography-based picture books. I mean, it could technically be dumber than Hemlock Grove, given how little of the acting and dramatic thrust we get to see. But something tells me this will match its gears to Game of Thrones and Spartacus, giving the lush locations just as much importance as the characters themselves, and with plots guided mostly by indulgence.

Created by John Fusco, Marco Polo is based on the historical travels of the Italian traveler (played by Lorenzo Richelmy), the first European to document in full his travels into China and central Asia. Its connection to strict fact remains to be seen, though Polo definitely met Kublai Khan. Benedict Wong’s portrayal of the dynasty leader is in the trailer; Joan Chen plays Empress Chabi, Kublai Khan’s wife. As this trailer shows us, Polo’s story takes him around to many places and puts him in front of many faces. Like this intimidating bunch.

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Because it’s a well-crafted synopsis, here’s how Netflix described the action-packed show on their YouTube page.

Intrigue. Deception. Bloodshed. These are just some of the obstacles awaiting legendary explorer Marco Polo as he navigates the inner court of 13th century ruler, Kublai Khan. From the back alleys of Venice to the perilous Silk Road, from the opulence of the Imperial City to the battlefields of China, Marco Polo is an epic action-adventure, where cultures clash, blood is spilled, and lies are told...

I may or may not have been acting like I was riding a horse across a gorgeous countryside while you were reading that. Not that it’s all just great location cinematography. I can get behind some wild orgies and Kabuki theater, and I love that shot with the woman holding the sword where everything is out of focus but the drip-forming blood. And the one with the bugs. And this one with all that huge army, because I’m going back to locations.

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Get all of the impeccably lit stabbings, armies, sex and mountains you can handle when all nine episodes of Marco Polo hit Netflix on December 12.

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper.  Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.