When it comes to fictional pirates in cinema, few names are as iconic as Captain Hook and Jack Sparrow. However, there's an even more renowned mythical swashbuckler who has appeared in over ten major movie and TV adaptations since the 1940s.
Italian author Emilio Salgari introduced the legendary Sandokan, also known as the Tiger of Malaya, in a series of novels published in the late 1800s. These stories have inspired numerous adaptations, including a cult classic 1976 television series that has been remade by Italian production company Lux Vide.
The new series Sandokan will release all eight episodes on Netflix in the US and UK on January 19, having premiered in Italy in December 2025. This reimagining revisits the classic action-adventure tale of a castaway prince seeking revenge against British colonial rule.
Can Yaman stars as the titular hero, with Ed Westwick portraying the villainous Lord James Brooke and Alanah Bloor as the heroine Lady Marianna Guillonk, who is caught in a love triangle. John Hannah takes on the supporting role of Sergeant Murray, Brooke's ally in the pursuit of Sandokan.
In a conversation with the cast ahead of the show’s global release, Westwick, Bloor, and Hannah expressed that it was the enduring appeal of Salgari’s cult classic that attracted them to the project.
Hannah remarked, "When I first met [the directors] Jan [Maria Michelini] and Nicola [Abbatangelo], they described the story and showed me their art and mood boards. The influences, like the photography of Sebastião Salgado, made it feel like more than a classic romp. They sold me on that world immediately, and I wanted to be part of it regardless of the character."
He described Sandokan as a "classic adventure romance with very modern sensibilities," noting that its themes resonate today. "Even recently, when you look at the geopolitics of land grabs for minerals or oil, that’s exactly the crux of this story," he added.
Westwick, who felt an immediate connection to his character, emphasized the series' fast-paced nature. It's a "go-go-go adventure and romance, all tied up in the mid-1800s in a whirlwind adventure," he said.
Bloor views the show as a "swashbuckling romance," describing it as "secrets and lies exposed in a pirate-meets-princess family drama." While this may sound like a dramatic sea-faring adventure, it contrasts with the pirate stories the cast enjoys rewatching.
From Our Flag Means Death to Pirates of the Caribbean, here are the pirate movies and shows this Netflix cast can’t resist
While the Netflix series remains true to its dramatic roots, the cast of Sandokan admits that the show's earnest tone differs from their favorite pirate films.
Westwick immediately mentioned Pirates of the Caribbean when asked about the movies that shaped his love for the genre. He didn't specify which film he prefers, but you can check out our ranking of every Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
Bloor added, "More recently, Our Flag Means Death is brilliant and adds humor to the world of pirates. It’s really sweet and a great watch. But of course, Pirates of the Caribbean and Hook were favorites of mine growing up."
Hannah, however, isn't sure if he's seen Pirates of the Caribbean. Instead, he reminisced about a film called Scaramouche, a swashbuckling classic starring Stewart Granger. "I come from a generation where you watched whatever was on television on a Sunday afternoon," he noted.
If you prefer a lighter pirate show before One Piece season 2 returns in March, you can stream all five Pirates of the Caribbean movies on Disney+ and both seasons of Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max. Meanwhile, Hook and Scaramouche are not available for streaming in the US at this time.