By Elia Esparza
Hollywood thinks there can never be enough of Zorro and Wilmer Valderrama seems to agree. He is developing for Disney Branded Television a reimagined Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego, the hero masked horseman Zorro.
The series is being produced by John Gertz, a consultant on a previous TV series Zorro for 87 episodes 1990-1993, and Gary Marsh, former Disney Branded Entertainment president and chief creative officer.
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said to industry media, “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.”
“Wilmer shares our commitment to reflect the interesting and rich diversity of the human experience,” Davis added. “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.”
And what does Valderrama think?
“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.”
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. His credits also include the voice of the character Agustin in Disney’s Encanto and he continues to portray NCIS Special Agent Nicholas Torres on CBS’ NCIS.
Valderrama is repped by UTA and Silver Lining Entertaining.
Featured Photo: Wilmer Valderrama (Photo: CBS) / Artwork for the cover of Zorro 2 (Photo: Mike Mayhew/Dynamite Entertainment)
Check out the video trailer of The Mask of Zorro, the 1998 TriStar Pictures action film featuring Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins.
