Disney Branded Television is developing a new live-action “Zorro” series with Wilmer Valderrama (Charming, That ’70s Show) attached to star and executive produce.
The show is a reimagining of the Disney-ABC “Zorro” series which starred Guy Williams. The series aired for 78 episodes between 1957 and 1959, with four hour-long episodes airing in the early 1960s.
Valderrama will reportedly star as Don Diego de la Vega and his swashbuckling alter ego, the masked horseman known as Zorro, in the days of Spanish California.
Gary Marsh will exec produce the live-action series, the former Disney Channel president who was promoted last year to serve as creative chief at Disney Branded TV. John Gertz (The Mask of Zorro, The Legend of Zorro) will exec produce for Zorro Productions.
“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.”
“Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero,” Valderrama said. “As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility in the stories that I help bring to life. To partner 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 best known for portraying Fez on the sitcom “That ’70s Show” as well as his role as playing Nick Torres on “NCIS.” He most recently starred in Disney’s animated film “Encanto.”
A network or platform for the new “Zorro” series has not been announced yet.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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