 The genesis of "Valentino" began with producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, who began developing the project in 1975.Russell was selected to direct, and he co-wrote the film with Mardik Martin.Told through flashback following Valentino's 1926 death, the screenplay focuses heavily on Valentino's relationships with several women, chiefly his second wife Natacha Rambova, as well as addresses the published rumors of his alleged homosexuality.