Legendary outlaw Zorro will soon return to the small screens. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is developing Zorro TV series which will be based on the source material and the Disney/ABC TV series that aired between 1957 and 1959.
“Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero. As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility in the stories that I help bring to life. To partner with Gary [Marsh] and Disney to bring Zorro back into the family after 60 years and be a part of the legacy for other children to know they too can be the heroes of their own stories is a dream come true.” — Wilmer Valderrama
Valderrama is set to star and produce the series. John Gertz will serve as an executive producer with Zorro Productions.
Zorro (Spanish for Fox) was created in 1919 by John McCulley. Don Diego de la Vega is hidden behind the mask of the legendary outlaw who defends the people of California against corrupt and tyrannical officials during the late 18th century and early 19th century. Although the exact time can differ, Pueblo of Los Angeles was founded in 1781, which means the story of Zorro cannot happen earlier.
Guy Williams played the character in Disney and ABC’s TV series between 1957 and 1959. The series released 78 episodes during two seasons of airing. The most popular incarnation of the character is from the 1997 movie The Mask of Zorro, in which Anthony Hopkins played Diego de la Vega, who trained Alejandro Murietta, played by Antonio Banderas, to become a new Zorro. The sequel, The Legend of Zorro, was released in 2005, but it wasn’t successful as the first movie.
It’s unknown on which network will the reboot series air, but it’s presumed it will be either ABC again or Disney+.
Synopsis of the series:
“We’re reimagining this Disney classic as a compelling period piece, set in Pueblo de Los Angeles, but told in a very modern telenovela style – with richly drawn contemporary characters and relationships set against the action, drama, suspense and humor of the original, iconic Zorro. Wilmer shares our commitment to reflect the interesting and rich diversity of the human experience and we look forward to delivering a culturally relevant and entertaining story with definitional characters that will connect with our viewers for generations to come.”
