For Some Reason 'Zorro Reborn' is Going Post-Apocalyptic

If 'Zorro Reborn' doesn't take place in Spanish-occupied California is it still considered a Zorro movie? The once swashbuckling vigilante, the champion of the poor and working class, of colonial California is getting a reboot in typical Hollywood fashion. The sword-wielding hero will be thrust into a post-apocalyptic reality from producer Mark Amin, Lanitca Media and Sobini Films.

Created in 1919 by pulp writer Johnston McCulley, Zorro was the alter ego of nobleman Don Diego de la Vega who fought corrupt and tyrannical officials in defense of commoners and indigenous people. His signature black costume consisted of a flowing Spanish cape, a flat-brimmed black sombrero cordobés, and a black cowl sackcloth domino mask. His rapier was his weapon of choice and would mark his rivals with the letter "z." His adventures have been chronicled in print, television and movies. The last successful adaptation came in 1998's 'The Mask of Zorro' starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Most iterations stayed true to his origins with few variations here and there, but none had completely reimagined Zorro in another time and place. Amin calls making the film "a fifteen-year journey" and his "passion project." That sounds promising, but I don't understand the need to update it in such a way that it wipes out the era that was so central to his adventures. It's like taking Robin Hood out of Sherwood forest and dropping him into the middle of modern-day Central Park. It ceases becoming true to the character.

The project had lingered at 20th Century Fox with names like Bryan Singer attached but went nowhere. Sony had their own version based on Isabel Allende's novel "Zorro" and even attached a writer but that stalled. 

The search is on for a director and producers hope to begin shooting in March of 2016. With financing and distribution established Sobini CEO Antonio Gennari is confident this version of Zorro will get done. 

"Every generation has its own Zorro hero and we’re proud to be able to introduce a new Zorro to this generation," said Gennari. 

I'm not sure a Mad Max-esque Zorro is the one we deserve. 

Source: THR