Zorro to be Rebooted

[Emher]

I think "The Mask of Zorro" with Banderas and Hopkins is THE adventure film of the 90s, and I don't have any hopes of a reboot besting it.

But I don't really mind a reboot. I just like that they're keeping at it. The old B&W Zorro series was one of the first things I remember not missing on TV when I was a tyke. I must've been 3 or 4 years old, but I loved it! Been a big Zorro fan ever since. Love to see the legend carried on.

 

[Captaindemotion]

oy. "Reboot?" Was the Banderas one a reboot of the Douglas Fairbanks one? Was Branagh's Hamlet a reboot of Olivier's?

You're not comparing like with like. Hamlet is an adaptation of the original text (though Branagh did add some scenes of his own, IIRC), whereas each of the Zorro movies tell different stories about the same character (without much great variation, it must be said).

The term 'Reboot' may not have been about when the Banderas movie was made but by modern standards then, yes, the cap could well fit.

 

[Nerys Myk]

The Banderas version would be more like a sequel. "Son of Zorro" if you will. (Which was actually made BTW)

 

[the G-man]

I have no strong opinion on this one way or another. However, I don't see how this is anything but a remake, just as the Banderas version was a remake of the Tyrone Power movie, etc. Lately H-wood seems to want us to believe any remake that isn't shot for shot is a "reboot."

And, for the record, the next Spiderman movie is basicially a remake of Raimi's.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I think "The Mask of Zorro" with Banderas and Hopkins is THE adventure film of the 90s, and I don't have any hopes of a reboot besting it.

Eh, it was no great shakes. Of all the incarnations of Zorro, I still like Tyrone Power Jr. the best. Maybe it's a combination of that hammy old-style acting and zesty fight scenes.

see, Zorro and The Lone Ranger don't need to be big sweeping epics. they don't need outside elements like werewolves or vampires thrown in. why can't it just be a nice straight up action adventure/western?

Especially since what I've heard of the Allende novel suggests this iteration might have more of a real historical focus than the movies have had so far. They've been pretty generic in how they depict their time and place. As a Californian, I'm curious to see a more authentic depiction of the early history of the Los Angeles area. I just hope they don't wreck it with a bunch of politically correct crapola, but at least it won't be some vague, Disneyesque never-never land of Olde California, which is all we've ever gotten so far.

Here's some info on the Allende novel. It's very different from the light-adventure-fantasy approach of the movies so far, and seems to be an intriguing combo of actual history and manufactured legend. I'd like them to stay away from the superhero approach, but keep the legendary aspects while working in some under-exposed actual history.

Interestingly, Allende changes Zorro's biography from a Spanish aristocrat to the son of an Indian woman, making him mestizo. And the whole story involves a lot more detail about the Indians in early 19th C California. I hope they keep that part.

 

[Gaith]

I think "The Mask of Zorro" with Banderas and Hopkins is THE adventure film of the 90s, and I don't have any hopes of a reboot besting it.

And the whole story involves a lot more detail about the Indians in early 19th C California. I hope they keep that part.

Thing is, the novel is very much a fictional biography, and the Indian stuff barely comes into play in Diego's actual life, so I'd be very surprised indeed if a movie adaptation paid much attention to it.

Here's some info on the Allende novel. It's very different from the light-adventure-fantasy approach of the movies so far

Eh, not really. Goes a bit more in depth regarding the history angle, but...

As a Californian, I'm curious to see a more authentic depiction of the early history of the Los Angeles area. I just hope they don't wreck it with a bunch of politically correct crapola, but at least it won't be some vague, Disneyesque never-never land of Olde California, which is all we've ever gotten so far.

And as a fellow Californian, I remind you that the area was very sparely built up at the time. As I said upthread, the Disney TV serial got the scale pretty much right in historical terms - very modest and intimate. Not so conducive to blockbuster filmmaking.

the Banderas version was a remake of the Tyrone Power movie

lol, wut?

The stories were completely different, apart from the "Zorro Begins" aspect - and they were different Zorros.

 

[Captain Mike]

Properly done and leaving the concept the way it is, it might be a movie I would actually go see. To reboot just to reboot has always been a peeve of mine and always will be.
"The Mask of Zorro" was enjoyable as in it was a continuation of the Zorro story.

Especially since what I've heard of the Allende novel suggests this iteration might have more of a real historical focus than the movies have had so far. They've been pretty generic in how they depict their time and place. As a Californian, I'm curious to see a more authentic depiction of the early history of the Los Angeles area. I just hope they don't wreck it with a bunch of politically correct crapola, but at least it won't be some vague, Disneyesque never-never land of Olde California, which is all we've ever gotten so far.

Here's some info on the Allende novel. It's very different from the light-adventure-fantasy approach of the movies so far, and seems to be an intriguing combo of actual history and manufactured legend. I'd like them to stay away from the superhero approach, but keep the legendary aspects while working in some under-exposed actual history.

Interestingly, Allende changes Zorro's biography from a Spanish aristocrat to the son of an Indian woman, making him mestizo. And the whole story involves a lot more detail about the Indians in early 19th C California. I hope they keep that part.

Having not read the novel, that doesn't interest me at all, Diego de Le Vega was a Spanish Don that was the key to his "secret". As a Don, the intent was to make it seem that his enemies were blind to the fact that it was he that was Zorro. But if it was done that he was raised by his father, I suppose it could work.

 

[Gaith]

^ Yeah, that's more or less how it went down. The whole "Mestizo" angle was little more than a minor revisionist detail.

 

[A beaker full of death]

I always liked the George Hamilton version.

 

[cardinal biggles]

I remember enjoying the Allende novel, but I haven't read it since its publication, so I'm a bit fuzzy on exactly why I liked it.

Still, if this is the direction they're going to take with a new Zorro movie, I welcome it.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Possible titles being registered for domains:

http://www.moviehole.net/201146946-wanna-know-what-the-title-of-the-zorro-reboot-might-be

 

[Captaindemotion]

Bump!!!!

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/53668

So Gael Garcia Bernal is to be the new Zorro. However, he'll be the futuristic, wasteland Zorro, rather than the 19th century Don Diego. Shame, as I'd rather have seen him play 'classic' Zorro. Still, at least the sci-fi Zorro will also be Latino.

It's not reported at that link, but apparently Sony are ploughing ahead with their more traditional take on the Man with the Z.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Bernal is too metrosexual for a sci fi action hero role. I wonder if Sony will get cold feet when they see metrosexual John Carter going down in flames? Dejah Thoras is more masculine than that wimp.

Damn, Hollywood, whatever happened to the real men?

 

[scotpens]

Rebooted? Or re-caped?

well Zorro and the Lone Ranger have always been western super heroes. i don't see why that needs to change suddenly. if you start tinkering with them you'll just end up with another movie like The Green Hornet.

Maybe it’s splitting hairs, but I consider Zorro a “costume hero” rather than a “superhero,” in that he doesn’t possess unusual strength or superhuman powers. If you prick him, he bleeds, to coin a phrase. Zorro is more like Batman and the Green Hornet in that regard — a wealthy and socially prominent man who dons a disguise at night and goes out to fight crime and injustice — a literary trope going back at least as far as the Scarlet Pimpernel.

I always liked the George Hamilton version.

Zorro, the Gay Blade is an absolute hoot. In case anybody doesn’t know, the entire plot was lifted from David F. Friedman’s sexploitation flick The Erotic Adventures of Zorro, made ten years earlier. And the music was recycled from Max Steiner’s score for The Adventures of Don Juan.

 

[tomalak301]

It does seem like this is the 5th or so reboot of that series. I remember the series back in the early 90s, and it wasn't bad.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Guy Williams was a great Zorro.

 

[Trekker4747]

Does Zorro in this day and age have a solid and consistent enough of a "canon" in order for a "reboot" to be of any note? I mean if they didn't say anything and released a Zorro movie that was an origin story would there really be that many people crying "WTF?!"

When was the last Zorro movie even in theaters? Ten years ago or more with Antonio Banderas?

 

[Saga]

Rebooted? Or re-caped?

well Zorro and the Lone Ranger have always been western super heroes. i don't see why that needs to change suddenly. if you start tinkering with them you'll just end up with another movie like The Green Hornet.

Maybe it’s splitting hairs, but I consider Zorro a “costume hero” rather than a “superhero,” in that he doesn’t possess unusual strength or superhuman powers. If you prick him, he bleeds, to coin a phrase. Zorro is more like Batman and the Green Hornet in that regard — a wealthy and socially prominent man who dons a disguise at night and goes out to fight crime and injustice — a literary trope going back at least as far as the Scarlet Pimpernel.

I understand what you're saying...but yeah, it is kinda splitting hairs.

 

[Greg Cox]

I actually fought this battle at Tor years ago, when I published a line of original ZORRO novels. I want them to be shelved in the sf/fantasy section, because Zorro was a "superhero" and I figured that was where they would sell best, but it was decided that ZORRO wasn't scifi so they were sold as mainstream fiction--and disappeared without a trace. In retrospect, I wish I had fought that battle harder. Sure, ZORRO isn't technically science fiction or fantasy, but I think he appeals to the same audience . . . .

And speaking of werewolves, Kim Newman actually wrote a great novella a few years ago in which Zorro was a werewolf, clearly inspired by the lyrics from the old TV show:

"Out of the night, when the full moon is bright, rides the horseman known as Zorro . . ."

A full moon, you say?

 

[Gaith]

Hey Greg, check out this Empire Magazine Legend of Zorro review by Newman:

If the series wants to become a franchise, a rethink and new blood will be necessary — maybe Banderas can get mortally wounded in reel one of The Son Of Zorro, passing on the mask and sword to, say, Gael García Bernal.

​

Does Zorro in this day and age have a solid and consistent enough of a "canon" in order for a "reboot" to be of any note?

Good question, and the answer is no. Zorro is far more of an idea than any kind of coherent story.