Disney has announced a live-action Zorro television series and That '70s Show star Wilmer Valderrama is attached to star as the iconic hero, Don Diego de la Vega.
Aside from taking on the black cape and mask, Valderrama will also serve as executive producer on the series. The upcoming show will be a reboot of the 1950s Disney-ABC series of the same name, starring Guy Williams, Gene Sheldon, George J. Lewis, and Henry Calvin.
In a statement, Valderrama said of the hero, "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 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."
The character, Zorro, was originally created in 1919 and appeared in the pulp magazine, All-Story Weekly. He was created by Johnston McCulley. In all of his stories, Zorro is depicted as a vigilante who defends the people against corrupted governments and nobility. Aside from his cape, mask and cordovan hat, Zorro is known for his signature, often carved on objects or his opponents with his rapier. The character has been adapted into several films across the last century, with the most recent being The Mask of Zorro and The Legend of Zorro, both starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
President of Disney Branded Television Ayo Davis stated, "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." She continued, "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."
Alongside Valderrama, Zorro Productions Inc.'s John Gertz, as well as outgoing president and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television Gary Marsh will also serve as executive producer as part of his production banner at Disney General Entertainment. The show has not yet been given a release date.
Source: Disney Branded Television