Nicola Abbatangelo on directing Sandokan revival for Rai1

The new Sandokan series debuts on Rai1 on December 1st, fifty years after the original adaptation made the character a television icon in Italy. The international cast includes Can Yaman, Alanah Bloor, Alessandro Preziosi, Ed Westwick, Madeleine Price, and John Hannah. The series was developed for television by Alessandro Sermoneta, Scott Rosenbaum, and Davide Lantieri, and directed by Jan Maria Michelini and Nicola Abbatangelo. Abbatangelo directed episodes 4 and 5, titled 'Singapore' and 'Il cuore della giungla', which he describes as a turning point transforming adventure into an emotional journey about destiny, belonging, and self-discovery. In an interview, Abbatangelo discusses the influence of Spielberg, the importance of wonder, and the three themes of destiny, responsibility, and friendship. He emphasizes that the series was made with a cinematic approach, rejecting the distinction between cinema and television. The production aimed to balance international standards with Italian tradition, and Abbatangelo praised the dedication of the crew, particularly set designer Merlini.