Directed by Jonás Cuarón, Z is a futuristic reimagining of the legend of Zorro. Gael Garcia Bernal will play the title role, as long rumored.
Empire Online reports that Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal has finally, officially been cast as Zorro. This news is a long time coming — we first reported on the rumors back in 2012.
Jonás Cuarón will direct Z, previously known as Zorro Reborn.
The movie is described as a “futuristic reboot of the Zorro mythology that will not be set in California or Mexico.” When we first heard about the project, the script was written by Glenn Gers, Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy. As per Empire, Cuarón is now doing a rewrite of the project himself.
Z reimagines the classic tale first told by Johnston McCulley, of the vigilante Zorro (Don Diego de la Vega) fighting for justice in Los Angeles in the 1800s. The futuristic reboot will bring Zorro to a new generation, updating the legend to include modern elements.
Sobini Films and Lantica Media have taken over the project from 20th Century Fox, and are set to film at Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios later this year.
“I have always loved Gael [Garcia Bernal] for this role,” says Sobini founder Mark Amin. “Zorro is a hero who is charming, witty and clever. Gael possesses all those characteristic and he’s able to deliver them with a modern spin to introduce the Zorro character to a new audience.”
A few years back, this proof-of-concept trailer revealed what the new Zorro movie might look like (with Peruvian actor Jason Day in the title role):
The last time Zorro was on the big screen was in 2005, with Antonio Banderas as Zorro and Catherine Zeta-Jones as his love interest Elena.
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