Wilmer Valderrama in NCIS (Credit: CBS)
As Disney’s anticipated series Zorro gears up for production, Wilmer Valderrama is getting fit to play the lead as Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego masked hero. The NCIS and Encanto star just got some encouragement at home.
The actor posted an Instagram video of himself in his gym unveiling a mirror emblazoned with a silhouette of Zorro mounted on his steed.
In the black and white vid, Valderrama is shown slowly, carefully removing a plastic film off the artwork to unveil the hero he will play in the series reimagined by Disney Branded Television. Valderrama does not say a word, using instead the Spanish-language ballad song “Brillo” by J Balvin and Rosalía as background music until the whole image is uncovered. He then turns to face the viewer before going off view with the camera then getting a close-up of Zorro holding his sword on his neighing horse, Tornado.
The artwork may be a gift from Valderrama’s wife, Amanda Pacheco, a model and social media personality. The video is accompanied by the message: “Thanks to @seaweanie, I have new inspiration in the gym.. as I begin my next chapter training… #MyHourADay.” @seaweanie is Pacheco’s Instagram handle.
The new series is being produced by John Gertz, who was a co-producer of two movies about the masked vigilante, The Legend of Zorro in 1998 and The Mask of Zorro in 2005–both starring Antonio Banderas. Gertz was also a consultant on a previous TV series Zorro for 87 episodes in the early 1990s.
Also producing is Gary Marsh, former Disney Branded Entertainment president and chief creative officer.
Disney’s new Zorro series will use a genre style more usually associated with Latin American television. “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,” says Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.
“Wilmer shares our commitment to reflect the interesting and rich diversity of the human experience,” Davis adds. “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.”
Born in Miami and of Venezuelan and Colombian descent, Valderrama knows how important Zorro is for Latinos. “I’m excited to add to the legacy of the masked avenger while representing the Latino community, especially the younger generation that will grow up feeling represented as I have.”
The masked horseman was an inspiration for Valderrama in his youth. “Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero,” he said. “As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility for the stories that I help bring to life.”
Valderrama also stated that “partnering 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.”
In addition to playing special agent Nicholas Torres in the CBS series NCSI, Valderrama is currently working on various Hollywood projects. He is producing the family comedy series Mexican Beverly Hills with Erick Galindo and Aaron Izek for CBS and Hipster Death Battle with Rafael Agustin and Marvin Lemus for the CW.
Valderrama is repped by UTA and Silver Lining Entertaining.
