Sandokan Premieres Today – The Most Expensive Italian Series of the Year Begins
One of Italy’s most ambitious television projects in decades, the new adaptation of Sandokan, officially premieres today on Rai 1 and RaiPlay.
With a massive €30 million budget, the series brings back the legendary story that captivated audiences nearly half a century ago — now reimagined with state-of-the-art production, global talent, and striking visuals.
This new version is produced through a major collaboration between Rai, Fremantle, and the Calabria region, supported by multiple international partners.
🎬 A Production Unlike Anything Italy Has Made Before
What sets this adaptation apart is the extraordinary commitment to authenticity:
🌿 90% of the series was filmed in Italy, including:
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Calabria’s tropical landscapes
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The breathtaking Sammezzano Castle near Florence
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Large-scale studio environments in Formello
In Formello, a 300-meter LED volume was built along with a reconstructed jungle featuring 1,000 tropical plants — one of the largest LED and practical-environment installations ever created for European television.
Additional scenes were filmed in Thailand and the island of Réunion, adding genuine exotic depth to the story.
⭐ Can Yaman Takes on the Legendary Role
The iconic hero Sandokan — originally made famous by Kabir Bedi 50 years ago — now returns to life with:
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Can Yaman as Sandokan
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Alanah Bloor as Marianne
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Alessandro Preziosi as Janecz
The series preserves the legendary soundtrack by the De Angelis brothers (Oliver Onions), maintaining the emotional identity of the 1976 classic.
Directors emphasize minimal CGI and maximum realism, blending tradition with modern filmmaking techniques.
🎥 An Epic Family Adventure for a New Generation
The scale of the production is extraordinary:
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100 days of filming
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150 crew members on set daily
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Over 3,000 extras
Sandokan is crafted as a family adventure series, combining friendship, courage, freedom, and the wild beauty of distant worlds.
With its spectacular landscapes, large-scale sets, and powerful story, the premiere marks the rebirth of a cultural icon — now ready to captivate an entirely new generation.
📺 Sandokan begins today on Rai 1 and RaiPlay.
