Gael Garcia Bernal to Star in Zorro Reborn

Posted by on February 18th, 2012   Filed under: Action, Sci-fi, Western
Source: Variety

We’re jumping on board the remake train again as it’s been announced that the Zorro films will receive an update, although this one comes with a twist. While the Zorro of old was always based in a historical setting, the good people at Fox have decided to send the masked hero into a post-apocalyptic future for a film entitled Zorro Reborn. Not only will the setting undergo a massive change, but the character himself will also be portrayed differently than before, with more motivation for revenge than justice. The man behind the mask this time out will be Gael Garcia Bernal (Amores Perros, The Motorcycle Diaries), a name that film enthusiasts will know fairly well, but one that mainstream audiences probably don’t recognize. Perhaps this project will be the one to introduce him to a wider range of viewers.

Zorro Reborn is not to be confused with another Zorro film that is being set up at Sony and features a more traditional origin story. The futuristic take on the character has been written by Glenn Gers, Lee Shipman, and Brian McGreevy (the latter two wrote the upcoming Harker). A director has yet to be named, but shooting should probably take place this year.

Although the character of Zorro has existed for many years now, I wonder how much popularity he might attract. Sure, the Antonio Banderas films were somewhat successful, but in a case like this where the character is essentially being turned into something altogether different, how much will past appeal really count? I am curious to see Gael Garcia Bernal move into badass mode, but overall this concept hasn’t sparked my interest yet. What do you think about Zorro Reborn?



  • Nelson

    To me, this is really scary territory. The success of the movie completely depends on how they handle the environment and setting of the story. Taking Zorro into the future, like a “Mad Max” type setting? Wow, that is a huge risk. I don’t know, it could be really cool if it’s something kind of similar to the setting of “The Book of Eli”. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

  • Apocalyptic setting films are really the cultural memory of the Fall of the Roman Empire (in the West), a calamity unequaled by anything including the Black Death, in the West. As such, they appeal only if the hero seems a robust representative of the old order, uncorrupted. Mel Gibson in the Road Warrior films, is a good example. Clunkers include Kevin Costner in the Postman, Book of Eli with Denzel Washington, a number of others.

    I doubt Bernal has the charisma and ability to portray the representative of the old order, still around, King Arthur-like, to win an audience. Its a tricky business, not the least of which is lead actor approximating the King Arthur figure. Bernal may be too young and ethnic to connect here, and Zorro is not exactly the return of the King. See Jason Mamoa in the Conan reboot. He wasn’t Arnold (an actor of limited talent but manifest charisma).

  • Almost forgot, see also the Time Machine with Guy Pearce. Pearce is an excellent actor, he ruled in LA Confidential. But carrying an apocalyptic action movie is not the same as being a magnificently skilled actor. It requires material that evokes the fall of Rome, and the hope of renewal, with a guy who oozes charisma. I just don’t see that in Bernal.