There hadn’t been a “real” live-action Zorro story in 31 years, though this was finally rectified by Amazon’s new show. Starring Miguel Bernardaeu as the titular character, the Spanish-language series from Amazon Prime Video follows the exploits of The Fox in 1834 California. The show was one of several Zorro projects in development, but also the first live-action project focusing on the character in several years.
It didn’t take long at all for Zorro to evolve into a pop culture icon. Just one year after the 1919 Curse of Capistrano novel by Johnston McCulley that spawned the character, Zorro starred in his first movie, The Mark of Zorro. With Douglas Fairbanks Sr – one of the biggest actors of his time – playing the hero, Zorro was quickly exposed to mainstream audiences. Just twenty years later, the movie was remade and resulted in yet another box office hit. More adaptations followed as Hollywood maintained an interest in the character. However, a proper version of the story hasn’t been told on the big or small screen in decades – until now.
Zorro’s Last Two Movies Weren’t About The Real Zorro
Amazon’s new Zorro show begins with the origin story of the classic hero, seeing Don Diego de la Vega take on the mantle of Zorro after the death of another man who had carried the moniker. From there, Zorro showcases Diego’s efforts to protect the people and his various adventures in the region. While this is the traditional formula of a Zorro story, it’s important to note that it’s something viewers haven’t been treated to in a long time. The last two Zorro movies, The Mask of Zorro and The Legend of Zorro, weren’t even about the “true” Zorro.
The two films, which are the ones that modern audiences are perhaps most familiar with, were more like sequels to the classic Zorro movies than proper adaptations of the source material. Banderas played Alejandro Murrieta, a bandit who takes on the Zorro identity after a much older version of Diego – played by Anthony Hopkins – dies. The movies are essentially about Alejandro trying to fill Zorro’s shoes. But while he wears the same costume as the classic character and rides the familiar black horse, there are important distinctions that set the two apart.
Alejandro is far removed from the traditional Zorro archetype, considering that his background and personality contrasts greatly with Diego de la Vega’s. As the son of nobleman, Diego comes from a life of privilege, which often affects the way people around him perceive him. He uses this as a mask to keep people from seeing him as a virtuous hero with a strong moral compass. Alejandro, on the other hand, is a criminal who has to slowly mend his ways before earning the title of Zorro.
Before Amazon’s Show, The Last True Zorro Story Was A Family Channel TV Series
Since neither of the Antonio Banderas-led movies can be fairly classified as proper Zorro adaptations, one has to go all the way back to the early 1990s to find an accurate interpretation of the character’s story. Premiering in 1990 and wrapping up in 1993 after four seasons, Zorro was a half-hour Family Channel show that starred Duncan Regehr as Diego de la Vega. In a performance reminiscent of iconic Zorro actors Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Tyrone Power’s takes on the hero, Regehr brought multiple elements of the fan-favorite swashbuckler to life.
The family-oriented show was in keeping with the expectations of the standard Zorro fare; it portrayed Diego as the son of a Spanish nobleman struggling to balance his dual lives of Zorro and a civilian. Often disregarded as a non-threat to the villains, too afraid or simply unwilling to get his hands dirty, Diego is able to keep both his friends and enemies in the dark about his secret identity, while also somehow managing to romance the show’s lead female character at the same time. All the while, Diego is guided by a strict moral code.
Diego De La Vega’s Recent Absence From Pop Culture Makes Zorro’s New Show Even Better
Amazon’s new show is darker than the Family Channel show, of course, but its approach to the character amounts to a long-awaited return to the original formula. Like Duncan Regehr’s show and the movies of old, 2024’s Zorro puts the focus back on Diego de la Vega, his secret identity, and other important facets of his backstory and personality. Like those versions, Bernardeau’s Diego da la Vego has to guard his secret from most of the people in his life, including his primary love interest.
A big part of what makes this such a welcome change in pace is Don Deigo da le Vega’s recent absence from the public consciousness. If Zorro was continuously receiving live-action movies and shows over the years, it’s possible that Amazon’s series wouldn’t like it was bringing anything new or fresh to the table. That’s where Zorro benefits from Hollywood’s apparent lack of interest in the Diego da le Vaga character; while it’s true that the Spanish series is at heart a mostly traditional Zorro tale, it’s also something viewers haven’t been treated to in 31 years.
Why Hollywood Hasn’t Made A Real Zorro Movie In 80 Years
There have been several Zorro films over the years, but Hollywood hasn’t actually produced a proper Zorro movie since 1940’s Mark of Zorro.
Until 2024’s Zorro, there were no modern attempts to tackle the Diego de la Vega character and make him the main protagonist. Ironically, its adherence to the source material almost makes it come across as an outlier when looking at how other projects have utilized the character. It’s worth noting that the last theatrical Zorro movie before The Mask of Zorro was 1981’s Zorro the Gay Blade, which was a parody that mocked the hero.
There’s also the matter of where the Zorro brand is headed. Similar to how the Banderas-led movies put someone else in the Zorro role, Robert Rodriguez is working on a Zorro show about a whole new version of the character, and a post-apocalyptic Zorro was also said to be in development years ago. Disney+ is working on a Diego-centric Zorro show, but it’s been described as a “bold reimagining.” It’s become clear that “reimagining” Zorro appears to be what most projects involving the character have been endeavoring to do, which is one reason why the new Zorro show’s success in getting back to basics has been a breath of fresh air.
Zorro (2024)
- Release Date
- January 19, 2024
- Cast
- Miguel Bernardeau , Renata Notni , Dalia Xiuhcoatl , Paco Tous , Peter Vives , Elia Galera , Andrés Almeida , Emiliano Zurita
- Seasons
- 1
