Zorro back at Disney starring Valderrama

[Breogan]

Out of the night, when the full moon is bright,
Rides...... Wilma Valderrama?
Wilmer Valderrama to Star in “Telenovela Style” ‘Zorro’ Update for Disney – The Hollywood Reporter

After over 60 years, Zorro franchise (their first masked hero) finally back at Disney.

""

Valderrama would not have been my first choice, but I can see it, he's got a bit of Armando Catalano spark.
Plus if they are going full telenovela, this isn't a grim dark , but more charming fun take, he could be right for it.

“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,” said Ayo Davis... president of Disney Branded Television. “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.”

If anyone watched the Telumundo Zorro Telenovela, it was actually pretty fun. Had elements from the original McCulley pulps, referenced the Disney version as well as (if the licence rights are coming through Gertz Zorro prod.) include the rights to the Allende Novel, which expands on his origin, so we might finally get the first in universe filmed flashbacks to the origins of Zorro.

He's the product of a powerful clash of two distinct worlds and cultures, by way of his mother native American channeling his spirit animal the fox, and by way of his father the Spanish sword, come together in his new identity.

 

[GREEN =w= DAY]

I just can’t picture Wilmer as Zorro. All I see is dorky Fez after all these years

 

[Drizzle]

I just can’t picture Wilmer as Zorro. All I see is dorky Fez after all these years

You're not alone there.

 

[Breogan]

I just can’t picture Wilmer as Zorro. All I see is dorky Fez after all these years

You're not alone there.

Yeah, Fez has such a lasting and outrageous presence, it's one difficult character to overcome,

To see if I even could, I watched (a few youtube clips) apparently he's a character on NCIS, more serious "dramatic" scenes with him.
And I can almost see a different person (the guy can look self made "superhero" fit^, and adding a bit of a Zorro stache might helps), he can certainly deliver a more intense, serious voice and presence.

Although when his natural voice slightly squeaks up, it's all shattered, I hear Fez again.
It's going to be a tough sell, but I think he can pull it off.

There is a more whimsical, witty, fun romantic side to Zorro however, where there might be room for him to work great.
Curious to see how this develops.

I was just coming here to post this. It's pretty cool news. If you had said years ago that Valderama was going to be Zorro I would have been very skeptical....but after watching him on NCIS the last few years, I can see it.

Figures I found you guys talking about this in the movie thread, so I pulled your quote here.
I'm starting to look for Valderrama in other shows too, glad to hear others familiar with him in different roles and context, can see him as Zorro.

 

[Breogan]

LOL ^ have no idea of the context here? (anyone want to fauxtoshop those into a sword and dagger?)

Taking this thread where likley no one will follow....
Haven't watched the Robert Rodriguez Dusk till Dawn series which included Valderrama, not sure how much of that might rub off on this show,
However with him personally in a producing capacity. it's worth mentioning there is some fun precedence for Zorro and the supernatural,
Zorro has fought vampires (see above), with a supernatural sword forged with alchemy
He has an amulet linked to his spirit guide (animal totem) the Black Fox, through which he can vision-scry.
As per the Allende novel, his grandmother Lechuza Blanca (White Owl), is a shaman pretty much his Obi-Wan mentor, in WB's take she can actually shape shift. And he's fought a supernatural anti-Zorro
And Dynamite inferred some kind of wear-fox persona.

Not sure if this Disney Telenovela format will allow for some of the more fantastic elements (the Telemundo one certainly did), and not saying that any of this will, or should appear, just saying there is at least some fun precedence for it, if it does.

 

[Breogan]

Stealing more posts from the movie thread.

...a classic Zorro set in his appropriate time period is definitely a win.

Agree, while I don't have a problem with other takes exploring other aspects, supernatural elements, or set in a different time period, with legacy Zorro's male and/or female) after all there was a "Modern" Zorro legacy set in the big city, swinging off skyscrapers, racing to his black sedan driven by loyal ally Bernardo, fighting fedora clad mobsters with tommy-guns, etc. before Batman even existed.
So a modern Zorro is as much fair game as any modern Batmen.

1937
1939

That said, my preference - The main Zorro is absolutely Zorro set in classic Old Spanish California.
A perfect time somewhere right between the Swashbuckler adventure and the Western, he should have elements of both!
In fact Mculley by way of one of Zorro's nemesis a Pirate Bardoso turned ally , referred to Zorro as a Land-Pirate, having the best of both worlds.
The second Zorro Mculley story published is actually a Pirate adventure, has more in common with the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney than a western.
But yes the setting should be Spanish Cali.

Valderama seems too old for a young Diego returning from School in Spain, so maybe he'll be a long established Zorro .

Disney did a pretty good job with Zorro nearly 70 years ago, so Hopefully lightning will strike twice.

Hmm, he's 40? Seems younger, Williams was abt 35, Banderas too abt 37, 38? However I'm fine if he skews a bit older, or if they take it as continuing adventures.
Although I would like them to explore an origin a bit further than just back from schooling in Spain, to find his beloved home under tyranny.
Exploring a bit more who his parents were, and what influenced him, either after their own, or from the "official" Zorro prod Novela by Allende, which introduced some terrific elements.

 

[Breogan]

Regarding the show with Wilmer… when they say “Disney Branded Television,” does that mean Disney +? Because if so, then the show might be quality. If they mean ABC, then I don’t have much hope for it.

As for Wilmer himself… he’s never really impressed me as an actor but maybe he’ll surprise me here.

True, I'm curious where this show lands?

If it's a big budget serialized pulp adventure, the likes of Mando (essentially a masked wandering hero fighting outlaws, pirates, sell-swords, guns for hire, tyranny and a corrupt regime) on D+ (I'd prefer that)
vs.
A low budget Fairy Tale melodrama, the likes of Once Upon a Time (which oddly did reference Zorro) on ABC
It does make a big difference, as far as my enthusiasm.

The Hollywood Reporter description of "A “Telenovela Style” Zorro Update for Disney" definitely reads like the later.
Although even in that format (if done right) there is room for a little of both.

 

[Dr.]

Bryan Cogman Set As Showrunner Of Reimagined Disney+ ‘Zorro’ Series – Deadline