It has been forever since we’ve watched a movie about Zorro, the dashing black-clad masked outlaw who defends the commoners and indigenous people against tryants and other villains. And now, we are finally going to see the return of the hero – in a post-apocalyptic future.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the “Zorro” reboot, which has been in development at 20th Century Fox for years, is back on production, all thanks to a new partnership between Lantica Media and Sobini Films.
Zorro is a fictional character created by Johnston McCulley in 1919. Known for his trademark mask, sword and signature Z, the iconic pulp character has appeared in a number of novels, films, and TV adaptations.
In traditional stories, Zorro is portrayed to be a hero of peasants and farmers who fought against corrupt and brutal officials of Spanish-held California. The reboot is, however, described to be a “a post-apocalyptic take on the myth of Zorro…set in the near future but keeps the idea of a masked and caped stranger taking on tyrants”.
Chances are, this reboot may have more robots and less horses, something similar to “Westworld“.
The project was set up at 20th Century Fox back in 2011. Filmmakers such as Bryan Singer, Ricardo de Montreuil, Gary Whitta, and Justin Marks were once attached to the project, but nothing panned out.
It was then announced that pre-visualisation specialist Rpin Suwannath would make his directorial debut with the reboot. Titled “Zorro Reborn”, the film will be based on a screenplay written by Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy.
At one point, Gael García Bernal was cast in the title role, but a deal never materialised. It is unclear whether he is still attached to the project.
Take a look at the concept art from way back in 2013:
Led by CEO Antonio Gennari, Lantica will finance the reboot, with its production slated to begin in March 2016 at Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios. Veteran producer and Sobini CEO Mark Amin, whose credits include “Good Kill” and “Frida” will produce it. A search for a filmmaker to tackle the project is currently underway.
Albert Martinez Martin of Lantica Pictures will oversee the production while Cami Winikoff and David W. Higgins of Sobine will executive produce it.
Regarding the reboot, Amin said:
This has been a fifteen year journey filled with ups and downs but it has remained my passion project over the years.
Gennari added, “Every generation has its own Zorro hero and we’re proud to be able to introduce a new Zorro to this generation.”
Take a look at the concept trailer for the now-defunct version of the film below:
So, what do you think of the “Zorro” reboot? Would you like to watch it? Who do you think should join the cast? Sound off your thoughts in the comments section below.
Sources: THR, Latino Review.
