It's weird that Zorro just kinda sits in the back of our collective consciousness. We all know the character but never actually think about him, but if you did a Z with a sword people would know you're referring to Zorro. Weird
It feels oddly fitting that Mask of Zorro was written by Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, some of my favorite blockbuster writers in the business, while Legend of Zorro was written by Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci. The exact opposite, on so many godforsaken levels.
As much as I respect the perspective of wanting a darker-toned Zorro; I look over at the needlessly dark and serious Robin Hood movies that have been released and I don't think that would be the road to go down. I think a good Zorro movie would be an earnest and loving take on the character, without being tongue in cheek.
Heck, he could have a totally Erroll Flynn level of banter while still addressing serious themes and victimized populations. I think the tone of a show and a character's tone can diverge. And honestly, a person who is generally charming and funny who finally gets quiet and serious and angry can be scary and effective.
@@TheLucasdms The Mask of Zorro has dark undertones because of the villain Don Montero and the people loyal to him. He tries to kill all the mine slaves at the climax of the film so they couldn't talk about all the gold they helped Don Montero steal from land he planned on buying for Spain. He randomly chose several innocent men to publicly execute just to drawn out Don Diego as Zorro in the beginning of the film. He adopts Elena after her mother saves Diego from being shot before he is arrested and forgotten in jail. There's a lot of classic mustache twirling, evil henchman who repeatedly try to kill Alejandro as himself and as Zorro. It's plausible historical fiction based on Mexican history, which has always been wild and colorful to put it mildly. It's not "DC dark", it's "evil human nature" dark with Zorro being a man who loves good, downtrodden people and fights for them as a vigilante cuz he can't fight for them as a Don without being outcast from Spanish nobility. So the stories have a good spy intrigue that make him risk both lives in dangerous games. That's a big part of Batman's early years, he sleuthed around as Wayne bumbling to work innocent angles he couldn't sneak into as Batman.
@@TheLucasdms I think the 2008 Zorro comic series does that "serious Zorro" style of storytelling SUPER well. It's my favorite Zorro thing for a reason.
Mask of Zorro is genuinely one of my favorite action movies of the late 90s. I remember 9 year old me being absolutely blown away by it. Watched it recently and it still holds up super well
I absolutely love Zorro! He’s a public domain, well known, period piece swashbuckling hero with a lot of cultural relevance today. The idea of a nobleman defying societal order for the poor has always been both relevant and badass! And as a Latino, we don’t get a ton of representation in modern media. Zorro would be an absolutely perfect piece of representation for us!
Unfortunately, those with the money are terrified of a modern Zorro being inspired by such tales. At least Batman fights to maintain the social order, even when movies like The Dark Knight Rises turn it into near parody. "Look at all the heroic cops defending the vulnerable, by charging into gunfire! Uh-oh, the Occupy Wallstreet movement has a bomb!"
Zorro is great, and yes, we do need more Latino/a heroes. But two issues - studios don't have the stomach for political stories anymore, and Zorro is very much an American "media-folk" hero and so not very well known abroad. I also think the [large, nearly-mandatory] Chinese market would be out - they have a hard "nope" on any stories about fighting against the social order, unless it's from either the era of Imperial/Medieval China, or WWII.
Zorro always has and always will be a great representative piece of Latino culture, but I feel like Pulp films just are not as popular as they once were sadly... :(
There’s a telenovela from 2007 called Zorro: la Espada y la Rosa” which is extremely faithful to the character and with surprisingly good story. Obviously the fact that it was a soap opera held it back a lot and mostly grandma’s were watching it but it had a lot of great stuff going for it. Antonio Banderas himself was a consultant, Beyoncé is singing the intro and Christian Meier is pitch perfect as Zorro. His cave, costume, weapons, character and even the low budget poorly choreographed fight scenes somehow looked crazy awesome and too good for a soap opera. His stealth is comparable to Batman’s and is almost invisible in combat. He was making a fool out of everyone and It was hilariously good. A decent budget TV show could do the character justice.
Yes! Thank you. I was scrolling down to see if anyone would mention it. It was a really good and well told story. We do have a soft stop for Zorro in the family, my mother grew up watching the old Disney series and named my brother after him.
It was more of a bait and switch story that Disney couldn't even do because the story was better and ran for more than 6 episodes. Show mostly focused on Esmeralda that Zorro hardly appears in it
@@ChildOfTheFlower I’m not sure we’re talking about the same show. The one I’m referring to has like 120 episodes and Zorro was very much the main character. Esmeralda is just the side love interest, but the main conflict is between Zorro and Montero.
Yes! I'm so happy that somebody mentioned it. Christian Meier is by far my favorite Zorro. Not only he fits the character visually, but he gave a great performance both to Zorro AND Diego de la Vega. When he was supposed to be funny, he was funny. When he was supposed to be intense and scary, he was intense and scary. He and the rest of the cast were great, I also loved the costumes and filming locations. The telenovela format doesn't do it full justice, though. I was thinking about making a shorter version of that show (like a fan edit) and cut it only to like 60 episodes, but it would be very time consuming.
A last Banderas movie sounds like a perfect opportunity for a franchise revival. Make Banderas play the kind of aging hero and mentor character that Hopkins was in the first movie and play it as one last ride Logan style. Studio could bring in someone younger to carry the mantle and carry an action series
I would like to see Zorro in a sort of Red Dead sort of setting. Changing times from the romantic period to the more industrial era and having to adapt or fight corrupt businesses trying to make monopolies. Something like an oil tycoon trying to pull a There Will Be Blood on a town and Zorro comes in to save them. Maybe have the finale be a sword fight that leads to him and the big bad being covered in oil. Zorro realises this and then stops the fight to stop the obvious destruction from a spark from clashing blades. Tries to explain this to the big bad and they are full of hubris and thrust at his, the blade making some sparks on a wall and landing on him and igniting him and the rig that was illegally set up (going sideways from land they own and doing the drink your milkshakes bit) Would be fitting for an aged Zorro. Maybe Banderas or it could be someone else.
I’d just like the say that Matt Letscher’s Captain Harrison Love and Stuart Wilson’s Don Rafael Montero are two of the most underrated movie villains of all time.
One of the best theatrical experiences I've ever had was at a showing of Douglas Fairbank's 1920 "Mark of Zorro" with a live band, that got the audience so excited we were loudly hissing the villain and raucously cheering the hero in the final duel. So yes, I agree the character has potential.
It was cool to read that he actually had fencing training for the role, along with some of the other cast. It always looks better when actors look competent in their characters' roles instead of having a double or stuntman shown from an angle.
@@thestorylord296 Made his son, although I found that little shit annoying. Plus the movie will feel like The Mummy 3 and we all know how that movie went.
The Legend of Zorro (1996/Anime) was such an integral part of my childhood, and my favourite character who I wanted to become. I for one would love a Modern Adaptation, to bring the character back into the public's eyes.
You have no idea how happy I am to see someone else talking about Zorro. He has been stuck in my head for such a long time as a character who can still have such modern day resonance if only we’d give him the opportunity.
I was very, very annoyed when I discovered that the Zorro animated series I watched as a child is apparently lost media. Yes, it probably wasn't very faithful an adaptation (machine gun arm villain, looking at you) but it was so cool. It's also the only Zorro media I've ever watched, since pulp is not my thing.
What? The 90s one? OMG it really is... Now that's interesting how something what was broadcasted in times of VHS in many countries (I remember watching it in Czech dub) can get lost to a point when only certain episodes can still be found (depending on dub thought - it seems that Spanish one is almost complete)... But you're right about it being "slightly" off when it comes to faithfulness to source material or history - like I remember an episodes with two vikings fighting for hammer of Thor or something like that...
@@thewitchfindergeneral4015 English or dubbed? Try to get it uploaded somewhere for prosterity. If I had the time and abillity, I'd put my VHS copy of the Danish dub out online. (Even if it's only 1 or 2 episodes.)
I'd love to see a new Zorro film. The aging Zorro take with Banderas would be incredible, but someone else I think would be very good in tat role is Diego Luna.
Next "Zorro" franchise: Stronger female and "better" than original ones... with "adaptations" to reflect the nowadays society. Oh, and yes, Zorra, she is lesbian.
They would never lean into the fact that Zorro was created as the first social justice warrior who fights corrupt systems of oppression. It's over 100years old but would be too "woke" for today's propagandized American audiences.
That’s my fear too, like just cause we’re Mexican and technically an underrepresented minority, they’d probably feel the need to shovel in all this stupid ass other SJW “Latinx“ bs that none of us asked for
I just love The Mask Of Zorro, it‘s timeless. People seem to have forgotten about it oder never saw it and cringe when I tell them, meanwhile celebrating Batman not knowing the relation. The bad guys in the film are superb, the music and action incredible and the film holds up with todays standards. Thanks for bringing attention to it!
Zorro was always the character that launched my interest into becoming a comic artist. He'll always have that special place in my heart and would definitely love to watch a period drama based movie franchises or a series around it.
I grew up "staying up late" just watch Zorro. I loved every second of the Disney tv series even if I can't remember too much because I watched it when I wasn't even in 1st grade. He is still my favorite hero of all time, and a much better interpretation of a rich guy who fights for the those being oppressed, than Batman. I got my own reasons for it, but that is neither here or there. Enjoyed the video and all the others you make.
I would love to see another movie starring Zorro, either a 3rd film starring Antonio Banderas or a reboot re-telling the story of Diego de la Vega. I really think _The Mask of El Zorro_ strikes a good balance between being more serious and gritty than what came before while still remaining fun, lightheaded and true to the character (the film had a villain who kept the severed heads of the main character's friends on jars, but also a lot of crazy acrobatic stunts)
I've only ever seen The Mark of Zorro specifically because I knew that was the movie that Bruce Wayne walked out of, I had to see what was being referenced, and it did not disappoint, it's a fun movie! I guess part of the problem with Zorro is that he's a bit cemented in time, he probably really only works within the timeframe of Spanish Colonies to maybe the time of the Civil War. It's got to be a time before the Industrial Revolution, and that time period continues to grow further distant, so you have to find a way to make it appealing to a modern audience because you can't just have a guy in the modern day running around with a sword, but maybe not to the point of hacker z0rr0 either. Even the Pirates of the Carribean franchise aren't traditional pirate movies, they're filled with supernatural beings and a million visual effects, can you do that with Zorro? I don't know, maybe Zorro's legacy is just kind of part of the masked vigilante superheroes we have today. I'm definitely interested to see a new take on the character, even if I am fairly green, but is there a market for it even with all the superhero movies we have going right now. Not that the quality of the movies aren't to be taken into consideration, but who was asking for Green Hornet and Lone Ranger movies? Who were they targeted for? It's not that these characters can't work, but maybe their legacy is what they inspired in the characters whose stories we follow today, similar to Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers for Sci-fiction and Space Opera that helped give us stuff like Star Trek and Star Wars.
I think though that the time period being far back enough could actually be a strenght from a certain point of view. Pulp heroes from the 20s to 40s already operates in a more familiar world, while the early 19th century is getting closer to old tales of long lost time, more like a Robin Hood. The key in my view is to focus on the elements that are timeless instead of thinking about how the characters could be "modernized". A man that stands by his moral principles and try to settle the wrongs and protect the weaks from tyranny is a timeless story that can resonate with people everywhere at any time. But indeed it could be very easy to get it wrong, especially for current Hollywood studios.
Zorro’s connection to the specific era is what makes him so interesting. The swashbuckling era is a specific era for a reason. When guns and swords both saw their place, when wit and weapons won wars, not strength. And when treasure and liberty was on the horizon. The age of swashbuckling is highly under represented.
Disney needs to add the full 1957 show with Guy Williams to Disney+ already. That's my Zorro. As for future movies, I'd be interested, but I think somewhere deep down I'll always view the character as belonging in a serialized story format. Maybe I need to watch the movies that have already been made before I can form such an opinion, though.
I'm with you 100%. Guy Williams is the true Zorro for me. A movie could be fun I suppose ( I haven't seen them either and wouldn't want Bandaras again) but something fleshed out where we can see more character development and the history behind the relationships he forms with his horse and his sidekick. Idk I think I'd like that a lot more.
Great video! I'm really glad to see you shine some light on this character; he's very under-appreciated. I would argue that the Disney version of Zorro isn't exactly "sanitized". The tone of the series tends to be fairly lighthearted, as opposed to a more gritty property like Batman, but that's partly down to the source material. Zorro doesn't have a tragic backstory like Batman; he was driven to his crimefighting by personal principles rather than trauma. On the other hand, he can actually be a darker character than Batman in the Disney version, because he lacks Batman's no-kill rule. He doesn't take life gratuitously, but he does kill villains on more than one occasion (though only in fair combat). While the series does have a lot of comedy, there are many surprisingly intense moments in which it seems as if Zorro's entire world is about to come crashing down. There's also an intriguing twist at one point with regard to someone who discovers his secret identity, which changes the show permanently from that point forward. The series is notable for being far ahead of its time in terms of long-form, serialized storytelling. I'd say that it doesn't really downplay the concept of Zorro fighting against tyranny--at least not all the time. The degree to which that premise is used depends mainly on which storyline you're watching. Also, with regard to the rights issues, yes, that's definitely a major reason why people steer away from using the character. I've been interested in writing a Zorro story myself for some time, and I technically could, under the laws governing the public domain. However, there is one particular company (Zorro Productions, Inc.) which holds a number of trademarks on the character and his likeness, and which is quick to sue anyone who tries to do anything Zorro-related. So I wouldn't be breaking the law if I created a Zorro story, but I would be risking a lawsuit that I don't have the money to fight in court, even though the trademarks for ZPI are of questionable legality. There has yet to be any legal precedent set against the company which definitively states that anyone can use the character without fear of reprisal. Even people with more resources at their disposal often choose to pay off ZPI rather than fighting it out with them. For example, comic books featuring Zorro usually have a copyright note on the first page stating that the character has been used with the permission of ZPI, *even though ZPI doesn't actually own the character.* They are what's known as a "patent troll", which is very frustrating for anyone trying to work with characters in the public domain.
@@maisuchan6209 Under certain circumstances, yes. It appears that ZPI will agree not to go after you if you pay them a fee, but ONLY if your work is traditionally published, not self-published, which limits use of the character considerably. Plus, it's just really scummy for them to be charging people at all, since they don't technically have the right to control use of the character.
@@1090Ideas I believe Alejandro and Bernardo were in Curse, so technically they would be safe to use if it weren't for the ZPI problem. Actually, ZPI probably wouldn't bother going after you for them at all; they care more about Diego de la Vega/Zorro than any one else in the canon, so far as I can tell. Not sure about Tornado, actually; I think he was created by Disney but I could be wrong about that. Really, if ZPI wasn't an issue, you could use nearly all the core elements that have recurred across various incarnations without having to worry, since only a few later portions of the source material have not yet entered the public domain (similar to Sherlock Holmes, where a few of the last stories in the canon are still protected by copyright). Even the first Zorro movie is so old that it's in the public domain, interestingly enough. The main issue as regards ZPI is simply Zorro himself. If you call the character Zorro, use the Z symbol in any way, or use a version of his iconic costume, they may be able to manufacture a reason to sue you as they could potentially call your iteration an infringement of one of their many trademarks (which they should never have been granted by the authorities in the first place). Judging from the copyright page of her novel, it looks like even Allende had to square things with ZPI before she was able to publish her book.
It's funny I was just thinking of Zorro the other day and then I saw your video just now. I really miss this character. Always have loved this character and wish he had more recognition nowadays. It's great to find some people that think like me about this awesome character.
The mask of Zorro is one of these films that I grew up with and could rewatch over and over. Glad to see it hasn’t been forgotten, great video! Would love to see Tarantino do that Django Zorro film or a third Logan style Antonio banderas film
I'm a native San Diegan, 2nd generation, my Dad's Dad is from Boston, but he and I grew up with Zorro love because all of the OG films were filmed here in San Diego. My Mother is Mexican, Zorro means so much more to her than just cool films. I freaking love Zorro. Thank you for making this video. You described perfectly everything I love about this character, everything I want to see in the future, and everything that has both let me down and filled me with joy growing up with him. We need a Zorro today w/ Diego Luna playing him (for the love of God do not give it to that Spiderman kid). More than we need another Batman.
Which films were filmed in San Diego, and what part of the city? I've always loved Zorro, but am just rediscovering it and getting to know all the versions. I was at Casa de Pico last weekend, felt like I was back in time in a Zorro show. I'm rewatching the 90's series now.
The Mask of Zorro remains a near-perfect adventure film. Funny, heartfelt, and full of fantastic swashbuckling action. It really deserves to be rediscovered.
@@Quincy_Morris The bulk of the story takes place in 1840. The Colt Patterson was introduced in 1836. Various pepperbox revolvers had existed for several years before that. Alejandro is from a younger generation than Diego, who, if you recall, was already getting old and was ready to retire when the story starts in 1820, meaning that the bulk of his previous life as Zorro would've taken place in the 1810's and even the 00's, very much within the single shot pistol era. Even in 1840, single shot pistols were still vastly the most common pistols in use, as revolvers didn't REALLY take off until Colt introduced it's more robust designs in the late 1840s and early 1850s, which is why ONLY Captain Love carries/uses a revolver in the film. All other characters seen using pistols in the film, use single shot pistols.
I grew up watching Zorro the animated series, and the opening at 8:44 brought me so much nostalgia. I loved the character and I like your point about him being a true "defender of the downtrodden". I think he got the short end of the stick when it comes to good adaptations and in the right hands, his character could make for an amazing movie.
YES! More Zorro! I've been saying this for years. So glad to hear someone else bring it up. Isn't it BS how one bad sequel killed this franchise? That would never happen today. Fast and the Furious 2 was terrible, but we still got Tokyo Drift, and look where we are now. In space! I'd love a more serious version of Zorro. Give it the Batman Begins treatment. It deserves to be a big production with serious themes and good writing and legitimate dramatic acting. It's a grand love story and an exciting adventure about a hero rising up and fighting against Putin-like figures for the common man. It would be good for the times. Lots of social commentary could be made about tyranny, oppression, excess, and the wealth gap. Also, sword fights of this kind are rarely seen outside of Pirates of the Caribbean movies anymore. But they're so much fun when done well, as are the horse riding stunts. A serious Zorro movie would be a surefire hit if they could just do it justice and treat the source material with the respect it deserves.
@@andreivaldez2929 the cheesiness of it worked so well for it’s time too. The incredible duo of Banderas and Hopkins also made it work exceptionally well.
Ahh, the Banderas movies hold a special place in my heart, I used to watch them with my folks as a kid all the time. And I'm a huge fan of both Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones!
I read the Curse of Capistrano over Christmas this past year. I loved it! I like the Disney version, and I seem to remember an early 1990s show as well that I liked. Zorro was inspired by the Scarlett Pimpernel. The BBC put out a fantastic movie of that starring Jane Seymore and Ian McKellan. Highly recommend!
I was literally JUST reminiscing about Zorro last night, the universe works in mysterious ways… I’d love some more genuine Zorro content, he was my superhero idol long b4 Ironman stole my heart in 08. One thing I feel is Necessary for a good adaptation is palpable on screen chemistry with his love interest. Banteres and Zeta jones were absolute scene stealers, the most underrated film couple in cinema
Love zorro ! Thanks for the video. So right now we have a prime video series coming out. A few years ago an anime series with 26 épisodes and next year another adaptation with Jean Dujardin. One remark, if I remember correctly, Antonio Banderas plays the real bandit which inspired the first zorro book? Or maybe his brother... 😅
Zorro and Lone Ranger are my childhood. I absolutely loved their versions of "The Wild West" and I would love for Zorro to get the attention he deserves
Hello my name is Larry and I am 73. I have watched all the ZORRO movies on TV and in Theater. I loved them all and would like to see another TV series and or Movie come back out. There are also other movies I would like to see come back out on TV and in the movies.
It may be nostalgia talking but the 90's tv series out of Canada (and aired on The Family channel in the states in the 90's) is still by and far one of my favorite renditions of Zorro. Action, Wit, Romance, and fighting tyranny was all a big part in it. Plus the theme song bas a banger and still holds up. With that said my favorite rendition is the novel Zorro by Isabel Allande. I love it when an origin story is done well, and that novel really lays the foundations of Zorro (everything from his skills to his dual personas)
I know I didn't appreciate the series, even though I loved it as a kid, until I started watching it again last week. The series really has a lot of character depth that the latest movies don't get a chance to show. I think Duncan Regehr's personality added a lot to that, too. I've only watched one episode of Guy Williams as Zorro, look forward to watching more of those, too.
The earliest memory of Zoro for me was when I went to Disney world when I was really young. The TV at the hotel was playing Disney classics, and one happened to be Zorro. I honestly can't remember most of it, but I do remember making Zorro masks and drawing Zorro stuff for the rest of the trip. Other than that the only exposure I've had of Zorro is the reference to it in shows and movies where they quickly cut a letter or symbol into something with their sword.
I´d love too see a new Zorro series on some kind of streaming service, an action packed adventure with some swashbuckling action and a slightly more serious tone with a good joke or two. I remember being fascinated by Zorro as a child and I think something new could fascinate todays children and the adults who grew up watching him. Sadly though by the time the 2005 movie came out, it was too late and the distance between films I felt really hurt it. I fear though that with the passage of time the name Zorro will be only known as a character in One Piece. Also did anyone ever watch that series in the 90s ?
I really loved Zorro. I grew up watching the first movie again and again. There's both a simplicity to the dramatic arcs while being a certain peril and intrigue that humanized a main character that was a myth. Movies like Nolan's Dark Knight have in other ways done the opposite, humanizing a mythical character and attempting to bring him down to our level so we could feel his struggle. Characters like Zorro though, myths with power, also do something else we really need: we need to know that our struggles matter and that a dream of a free 'California' can be real. It's a fight against real and powerful villains, and it says 'the fight is worthwhile'. I'd love to watch something like that, a return to the basics of solid action-stories and character driven myths.
Just here to say that the Mark of Zorro is a fantastic silent black & white movie. Highly recommend. Mark of Zorro, Nosferatu, and pretty much any Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin film (if I had to pick one, it would probably be Keaton's "The General") are not only my favorite old timey silent B&W films, but some of my favorites of all time. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
3:50 You know... "poorly-received parody" just doesn't do "Zorro: The Gay Blade" justice. That film has so many moments between Diego de la Vega (yes, I know they refer to him as "Diego Vega," but it always felt off with the "de la" in there) and Esteban that, to this day, have me in stitches! Also, 4:15 No mention of the 1990s Zorro TV series starring Duncan Regehr as Don Diego de la Vega?! That show was my jam growing up! It had great swashbuckling, earnest leads, and some truly awesome moments, and it's a shame that in a Zorro Franchise roundup you completely glossed over this 90s gem!
Dude you do not miss! Consistently balanced and good takes from cinema to TV. Honestly really enjoy your videos man they're super watchable not super lon video essays or super short summaries. A lot of other creators I feel are too harsh or too soft on a lot of popular franchises in media and I think your stuff is really refreshing.
Pedro Pascal! He could play this role gritty AND witty so effortlessly without it ever feeling like he’s taking himself to seriously or straying too far into camp. This needs to happen, Zorro is massively under appreciated!
I would love to see a series of Zorro films (or good quality TV) starting with a young actor and doing an origin story. If they take the time to develop the character so that people really care about what happens to him (there's a lot to work with there in terms of being inspiring) it could go on a really long time, and could even cross over with other pulp heroes if somebody wanted to secure the rights and make a big franchise. The main thing is to let it build an audience and tell grounded stories where the bad guys are complex and the stakes are realistic. Michael Garza comes to mind as a good choice to look at for the role; he has range and could play the part well now and into the future. It'd take Kevin Feige sized cojones to make all that happen, but I'd sure pay to watch it.
Zorro is the movie that inspired me and my friends to make movies when we were kids. It will always hold a special place in my heart. It doesn't hurt that it's also got a lot of great content to go with it.
This video was like smelling salts for my memories. Lol. I used to run around with a cape, hat, and yardstick pretending to be Zorro. Grew up watching the old Disney show in reruns and remember when the mask and legend movies came out. Would love to see the character return to the screen.
The last few months, I've actually been thinking about Zorro and why he isn't a thing, anymore! As a kid, I really loved watching re-runs of the Disney version, and you just jogged my memory about a Zorro game that I had on my GameBoy 😄I'd love to see the character make a comeback.
Yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I saw this on my feed and as a huge Zorro fan my heart stopped! Thank you so much for talking about my favorite superhero!
It would be kinda cool to see a Zorro movie that's actually a batman movie about Bruce Wayne watching Zorro at the theater right before his parents get killed.
I loved the idea of having Diego Luna as Zorro. I thought this was the film in the works, indeed. I also love Zorro and wanna see a new movie with the character.
“…why he’s being so ignored recently?” Not much of a limb to go out on and say “a sword-swinging pulp character with one well-received property in the past 60-70 years that quickly dulled” is not slightly surprising to be on the “continue to ignore” list like the Phantom, Dick Tracy, et al.” I am not sure any of them are particularly resurrectable these days, and I am fully certain no studio will see it as “inspiring choice to give another swing at the bat” while there is a deep well of actually-selling IP-including pulpy ones-to give a first attempt at it to see if they can build a series. There will be…. “occasional stuff”
I guess one thing to run out is "who are iconic characters from that same era?" Maybe not necessarily of equivalent recognition, but... Kull? Philip Marlowe or Mike Hammer or Sam Spade or Nick Carter? The Sonora Kid? For every Conan and Tarzan, there are dozens of dead-as-doornails characters, and a lot of "oh I think I recognize the name but..." abandonware. Even from the same authors. (Solomon Kane, anyone?) Consider Johnston McCulley himself. Outside of Zorro, does even a speck of his other character knowledge remain? Black Star? The Crimson Clown? The Green Ghost? The Mongoose? Is this because they were particularly unusable, or because very little of the era broke free and remained compelling? Consider ones you probably DO know. Buck Rogers? Flash Gordon? Once that even had "something compelling from the 80's" to spring off, nostalgia-wise. Nary a peep. (Well, occasional peeps but largely projects knocked around and knocked back and "who knows." Like, a studio takes a chance on neo-noir like The Spirit and when it bombs the knock-on effects all of these.) John Carter from Mars was a Hail Mary attempt and... put interest back further. Are these... "character issues?" I tend to think not, at least compared to "everything else" about the pulp era. They're seen ironically, or cringe-tastically, and represent an era that's far too close to us to feel comfortable about. Meanwhile, you can "analogue" almost all of them into a different form from a "popularized" pathway, like Marvel/DC characters from any age, or even video games. They don't have "salable" names that put butts in seats. Too modern to be "mythology" or "folklore" but too old to be worth pursuing. I don't think any of them have a realistic chance. Even Conan died with Schwartzenegger, and was only worth a single modern film adaptation take. Same with Tarzan. I would rate Zorro as "barely has a chance." None of them, even the most popular of them, are "particularly worth it." Certainly not from the studio view. They will live on in comics and books, where their audience still is, and the barrier of entry is very small in comparison. To a lesser extent, video games. I do not see much else happening.
For a long time now, I've been really over it with superhero movies and even the more fantastic Sci fi stuff. Zorro as a gritty hero who doesn't dress up like an animal and isn't magic, might really scratch that itch. Jason Bourne with a mask or the Bat Man without ears.
There's a couple problems with Zorro. Sony fucked around too much on doing a sequel to the 1998 Banderas film, so when it came out 7 years later, no one cared for it and the script for it was mediocre. The western period setting makes it expensive to make with sets, prod design, costumes & outdoor locations, as westerns don't have any cache anymore to be made as cinema films. Yes I know Django was successful at the cinema, but that had Tarantino behind it. I'm not sure it could work if it was updated to a modern day contemporary setting, as it was a creation of an older time.
Not that many westerns get made these days, but it's absolutely a staple genre and could work with a wide range of budgets. A good Zorro movie would need a big budget though, yes - because if you don't do the stunts for real then what's even the point?
@@KillahMate Maybe Netflix could take it on. They seem to have a soft spot for westerns with hits such as The Power of the Dog, News of the World, The Harder They Fall and The Ballard of Buster Scruggs. The problem with Zorro is its not a traditional western but rather a swashbuckling masked crusader set in the 19th century, at a time when California was more Spanish than American. This makes me wonder though if Zorro ever caught on in Spain or Latin America?
... Westerns. Expensive. Hmmm. Maybe to a certain extent, but definitely not nearly as much as the space western cluster-fucks, the eye-blinding sci-fi acid trip lens flares, the nostalgia bait "physical props is what Star Wars has always been about" BS, and the undead Marvel horse that is being beaten back to hell again as we speak. But yeah. A barren field in the Midwest, some shacks, some horses, some pistols and rifles, boom. That's all you need. Back in the day, they had a pipeline for them so they were massively cheaper to make since props, horses, and sets were reused over and over. But I think a Western would still be cheaper than most the films coming out today with their high tech, big budget, and low writing skill approach to things.
Dude, literally NO mention of the Duncan Regehr TV series on Family Channel from early 90s?! Was there some kind of legal obstruction? It ran for four seasons, longer than the Disney show, which I believe makes it the most expansive adaptation. Also, it was pretty good! I'm frankly a little miffed at that oversight, it was my Zorro gateway show.
Zorro disappeared in the same way cowboys, or as stated in the earlier part of the video, pulp heroes. Look how quickly most of these type of hero stories go stale when you consider how terrible the modern writers room takes material.
There was a Zorro tv series that ran from 1990 to 1993 for 4 seasons on The Family Channel. There was also a Zorro cartoon put out by Filmation in 1981.
8:41 I'm really glad you gave a small, visual mention to the animated series. My grandma had a DVD of the series containing a few of what it referred to as the show's best episodes. I can't seem to find the series anywhere, and I don't even know how many episodes there even were. Animation's another place where Zorro could easily succeed in, and I'm surprised no one talks about the animated show.
Zorro's great! Three years ago I spotted the novelization of The Mask of Zorro in a used book shop and picked it up because I'm a huge fan of its author, James Luceno. Read it then watched the '98 flick for the first time and was like "This movie is so much damn fun." The dude who played the blond American bad guy was chilling. I kinda thought he was Wyatt Russell even though Wyatt Russell was twelve when that movie came out. Anyway I also got the original Curse of Capistrano novel on my Kindle and it was a lot of fun too.
Is there anyone you'd like to see direct a Zorro movie?
Get both Nebula and Curiosity Stream here: curiositystream.com/captainmidnight
Santiago Cabrera as Don Diego de la Vega
Johnny Depp as Zorro
The Daniels would be good I think, but take it with a grain of salt cause I just saw and loved Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Me!
Direct? Guy Ritchie.
Never forget that Zorro is the franchise that canonically inspired Bruce Wayne to become Batman.
"Supposedly"
Yep. It was Zorro, Sherlock Holmes, and the shadow who served as his main inspirations.
@@michaelterrell5061 who was the guy in the animated series that inspired him
Love your profile pic. Toga looks so happy
@@AmonsRealm Well I’m not really sure, but I’ll look for you.
It's weird that Zorro just kinda sits in the back of our collective consciousness. We all know the character but never actually think about him, but if you did a Z with a sword people would know you're referring to Zorro. Weird
The Mask of Zorro is a tightly written, well directed and acted film.
The Legend of Zorro… is a movie I’ve completely forgotten.
Legend of Zorro was OK. But the first film with Antonio Banderas was definitely the better one! It’s the one that I go back and look at the most!
The mask of zorro is one of the last truly great action movies
The legend of zorro was a bad saturday morning cartoon
I never watched legend of Zorro, probably lucky for me, absolutely right about Mask tho, its an awesome movie
It feels oddly fitting that Mask of Zorro was written by Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, some of my favorite blockbuster writers in the business, while Legend of Zorro was written by Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci.
The exact opposite, on so many godforsaken levels.
Legend of Zorro has a reaction shot of his horse, where they digitally make his eyes bulge.
'Nuff said.
As much as I respect the perspective of wanting a darker-toned Zorro; I look over at the needlessly dark and serious Robin Hood movies that have been released and I don't think that would be the road to go down.
I think a good Zorro movie would be an earnest and loving take on the character, without being tongue in cheek.
I don't think he said he wants a gritty, dark Zorro. Just a more serious one. Zorro's character doesn't even work with a dark setting.
Heck, he could have a totally Erroll Flynn level of banter while still addressing serious themes and victimized populations. I think the tone of a show and a character's tone can diverge. And honestly, a person who is generally charming and funny who finally gets quiet and serious and angry can be scary and effective.
@@TheLucasdms The Mask of Zorro has dark undertones because of the villain Don Montero and the people loyal to him. He tries to kill all the mine slaves at the climax of the film so they couldn't talk about all the gold they helped Don Montero steal from land he planned on buying for Spain. He randomly chose several innocent men to publicly execute just to drawn out Don Diego as Zorro in the beginning of the film. He adopts Elena after her mother saves Diego from being shot before he is arrested and forgotten in jail. There's a lot of classic mustache twirling, evil henchman who repeatedly try to kill Alejandro as himself and as Zorro. It's plausible historical fiction based on Mexican history, which has always been wild and colorful to put it mildly. It's not "DC dark", it's "evil human nature" dark with Zorro being a man who loves good, downtrodden people and fights for them as a vigilante cuz he can't fight for them as a Don without being outcast from Spanish nobility. So the stories have a good spy intrigue that make him risk both lives in dangerous games. That's a big part of Batman's early years, he sleuthed around as Wayne bumbling to work innocent angles he couldn't sneak into as Batman.
@@TheLucasdms Ah! My misunderstanding then.
@@TheLucasdms I think the 2008 Zorro comic series does that "serious Zorro" style of storytelling SUPER well. It's my favorite Zorro thing for a reason.
Mask of Zorro is genuinely one of my favorite action movies of the late 90s. I remember 9 year old me being absolutely blown away by it. Watched it recently and it still holds up super well
Just saw it for the first time not too long ago. One of the best blockbuster movies of all time imho
I absolutely love Zorro! He’s a public domain, well known, period piece swashbuckling hero with a lot of cultural relevance today. The idea of a nobleman defying societal order for the poor has always been both relevant and badass! And as a Latino, we don’t get a ton of representation in modern media. Zorro would be an absolutely perfect piece of representation for us!
Unfortunately, those with the money are terrified of a modern Zorro being inspired by such tales.
At least Batman fights to maintain the social order, even when movies like The Dark Knight Rises turn it into near parody. "Look at all the heroic cops defending the vulnerable, by charging into gunfire! Uh-oh, the Occupy Wallstreet movement has a bomb!"
Zorro is great, and yes, we do need more Latino/a heroes. But two issues - studios don't have the stomach for political stories anymore, and Zorro is very much an American "media-folk" hero and so not very well known abroad. I also think the [large, nearly-mandatory] Chinese market would be out - they have a hard "nope" on any stories about fighting against the social order, unless it's from either the era of Imperial/Medieval China, or WWII.
Zorro always has and always will be a great representative piece of Latino culture, but I feel like Pulp films just are not as popular as they once were sadly... :(
@@mandisawIm German and Zorro is/was pretty big here as well. Everybody in the world knows what the 'Z' stands for.
@@mjl11 Maybe everyone in [parts of] Europe, who grew up with Zorro in one form or another. But that's hardly everyone, in all the big markets
I wanted so badly to see that Django and Zorro crossover on the big screen. Tarantino would've had a field day with that.
Or Robert Rodriguez/Tarantino colab!
That adaptation is almost too awesome to be done right by today's studios.
@@gooddaylozano the right guys.
If they do then I hope they cast Antonio Banderas to return to his Zorro role
I think he actully asked Banderas if he’d be interested in returning as Zorro some years back and he said no.
There’s a telenovela from 2007 called Zorro: la Espada y la Rosa” which is extremely faithful to the character and with surprisingly good story. Obviously the fact that it was a soap opera held it back a lot and mostly grandma’s were watching it but it had a lot of great stuff going for it. Antonio Banderas himself was a consultant, Beyoncé is singing the intro and Christian Meier is pitch perfect as Zorro. His cave, costume, weapons, character and even the low budget poorly choreographed fight scenes somehow looked crazy awesome and too good for a soap opera. His stealth is comparable to Batman’s and is almost invisible in combat. He was making a fool out of everyone and It was hilariously good. A decent budget TV show could do the character justice.
Yes! Thank you. I was scrolling down to see if anyone would mention it. It was a really good and well told story. We do have a soft stop for Zorro in the family, my mother grew up watching the old Disney series and named my brother after him.
It was more of a bait and switch story that Disney couldn't even do because the story was better and ran for more than 6 episodes. Show mostly focused on Esmeralda that Zorro hardly appears in it
@@ChildOfTheFlower I’m not sure we’re talking about the same show. The one I’m referring to has like 120 episodes and Zorro was very much the main character. Esmeralda is just the side love interest, but the main conflict is between Zorro and Montero.
I grew up with the novela!
Yes! I'm so happy that somebody mentioned it. Christian Meier is by far my favorite Zorro. Not only he fits the character visually, but he gave a great performance both to Zorro AND Diego de la Vega. When he was supposed to be funny, he was funny. When he was supposed to be intense and scary, he was intense and scary. He and the rest of the cast were great, I also loved the costumes and filming locations. The telenovela format doesn't do it full justice, though. I was thinking about making a shorter version of that show (like a fan edit) and cut it only to like 60 episodes, but it would be very time consuming.
A last Banderas movie sounds like a perfect opportunity for a franchise revival. Make Banderas play the kind of aging hero and mentor character that Hopkins was in the first movie and play it as one last ride Logan style. Studio could bring in someone younger to carry the mantle and carry an action series
Tom Holland for Zorro!
@@Carloszavalalol
Thanks I hate it
Pedro Pascal maybe??
@@Beau8888 yes tom fuck no
I would watch that!
I would like to see Zorro in a sort of Red Dead sort of setting. Changing times from the romantic period to the more industrial era and having to adapt or fight corrupt businesses trying to make monopolies.
Something like an oil tycoon trying to pull a There Will Be Blood on a town and Zorro comes in to save them. Maybe have the finale be a sword fight that leads to him and the big bad being covered in oil. Zorro realises this and then stops the fight to stop the obvious destruction from a spark from clashing blades. Tries to explain this to the big bad and they are full of hubris and thrust at his, the blade making some sparks on a wall and landing on him and igniting him and the rig that was illegally set up (going sideways from land they own and doing the drink your milkshakes bit)
Would be fitting for an aged Zorro. Maybe Banderas or it could be someone else.
Imagine!
I absolutely love this plot idea!
Holy crap I am in LOVE with this idea. Hats off to you omg
Keikatsu Zorro
Django zorro is pretty much what your looking for
Something specifically like Red Dead Revolver would be excellent
I’d just like the say that Matt Letscher’s Captain Harrison Love and Stuart Wilson’s Don Rafael Montero are two of the most underrated movie villains of all time.
My name is Inigo Montoya
Oh my God thanks for saying it!!!! I thought I was the only one who thought so!
wtf Harrison Love is CW Flash's Eobard Thawne???
@@arditeider2812 really?
One of the best theatrical experiences I've ever had was at a showing of Douglas Fairbank's 1920 "Mark of Zorro" with a live band, that got the audience so excited we were loudly hissing the villain and raucously cheering the hero in the final duel. So yes, I agree the character has potential.
I would love to see another one, especially if Banderas returns. Him in the original has a charm that few film fencers have
It would be cool to see him as an aging Zorro passing the mantle onto his son as an homage to the first movie
Amen! I love Zorro
It was cool to read that he actually had fencing training for the role, along with some of the other cast. It always looks better when actors look competent in their characters' roles instead of having a double or stuntman shown from an angle.
Well, there’s a new Zorro series on Amazon, the telenovela you mentioned! And honestly? It’s insanely good!!
Just saw the whole thing, it’s amazing
I'd love a Logan style Zorro movie with Antonio Banderas donning the cape one last time.
That would be interesting
And then trains the next Zorro like the original Zorro did to him?
Not everything has to be dark and gritty.
Pedro Pascal is the best option imo
@@thestorylord296 Made his son, although I found that little shit annoying. Plus the movie will feel like The Mummy 3 and we all know how that movie went.
I love the character Zorro and hope he never goes away. I like Santiago Cabrera for the role. He was great in " The Musketeer" playing Aramis.
Enough time has passed for the Antonio Banderas Zorro to have a legacy sequel of his own.
And Duncan Regehr in a tv series.
The Legend of Zorro (1996/Anime) was such an integral part of my childhood, and my favourite character who I wanted to become. I for one would love a Modern Adaptation, to bring the character back into the public's eyes.
Mine too.
Absolutely loved that show. Though looking back on it, some scenes were a bit drawn out.
The intro is still the stuff of greatness.
You have no idea how happy I am to see someone else talking about Zorro. He has been stuck in my head for such a long time as a character who can still have such modern day resonance if only we’d give him the opportunity.
I was very, very annoyed when I discovered that the Zorro animated series I watched as a child is apparently lost media. Yes, it probably wasn't very faithful an adaptation (machine gun arm villain, looking at you) but it was so cool. It's also the only Zorro media I've ever watched, since pulp is not my thing.
To be fair, the Enforcer is a really fun Zorro villain, and is a fresh breath of air after watching him fight Montesero again
What? The 90s one? OMG it really is... Now that's interesting how something what was broadcasted in times of VHS in many countries (I remember watching it in Czech dub) can get lost to a point when only certain episodes can still be found (depending on dub thought - it seems that Spanish one is almost complete)... But you're right about it being "slightly" off when it comes to faithfulness to source material or history - like I remember an episodes with two vikings fighting for hammer of Thor or something like that...
Think I had a copy of that show on dvd when I was really little. think I still have it around somewhere
@@thewitchfindergeneral4015 English or dubbed? Try to get it uploaded somewhere for prosterity. If I had the time and abillity, I'd put my VHS copy of the Danish dub out online. (Even if it's only 1 or 2 episodes.)
I'd love to see a new Zorro film. The aging Zorro take with Banderas would be incredible, but someone else I think would be very good in tat role is Diego Luna.
No seeeee wait....what if Benderas trained a NEW Zorro like Hopkins did in the 90s film??
OMG YES! Diego Luna! I would throw money at that movie!
@@thestorylord296 I'd like to see him train his son as the next Zorro
So Bad Bunny then?
I agree, he's my top character for fan-casting
I would never trust most major studios today to adapt his character effectively without destroying who he is.
I’m gonna comment this a bunch here but I think Robert Rodriguez should do it, famously Poot at taking direction from studios.
Next "Zorro" franchise: Stronger female and "better" than original ones... with "adaptations" to reflect the nowadays society.
Oh, and yes, Zorra, she is lesbian.
They would never lean into the fact that Zorro was created as the first social justice warrior who fights corrupt systems of oppression.
It's over 100years old but would be too "woke" for today's propagandized American audiences.
@@Kiyoone you know you can still go watch the versions with men if you want? Like right now some probably on RUclips.
That’s my fear too, like just cause we’re Mexican and technically an underrepresented minority, they’d probably feel the need to shovel in all this stupid ass other SJW “Latinx“ bs that none of us asked for
I just love The Mask Of Zorro, it‘s timeless. People seem to have forgotten about it oder never saw it and cringe when I tell them, meanwhile celebrating Batman not knowing the relation.
The bad guys in the film are superb, the music and action incredible and the film holds up with todays standards. Thanks for bringing attention to it!
Yeah people often dunk on me whenever I mention this franchise, and it frustrates me so much. Zorro doesn't deserve this
And the Marc Anthony theme song??? Absolutely beautiful!!!!
You compare Zorro to Batman, I always thought of him as more of like a Mexican Robin Hood, I also feel like Pedro Pascal could be a good Zorro
He made that comparison because it's been well documented that Zorro heavily influenced the creation of batman
He's too old. I think Pascal needs to be in any future Zorro movie however.
Nah, Nicolas Cage
Diego Luna perhaps? He was amazing in Rogue One
Pedro Pascal or Oscar Isaac would be perfect for Zorro. Just watched it tonight after 15+ years. It still holds up rather well.
Zorro was always the character that launched my interest into becoming a comic artist. He'll always have that special place in my heart and would definitely love to watch a period drama based movie franchises or a series around it.
I grew up "staying up late" just watch Zorro. I loved every second of the Disney tv series even if I can't remember too much because I watched it when I wasn't even in 1st grade. He is still my favorite hero of all time, and a much better interpretation of a rich guy who fights for the those being oppressed, than Batman. I got my own reasons for it, but that is neither here or there. Enjoyed the video and all the others you make.
I would love to see another movie starring Zorro, either a 3rd film starring Antonio Banderas or a reboot re-telling the story of Diego de la Vega. I really think _The Mask of El Zorro_ strikes a good balance between being more serious and gritty than what came before while still remaining fun, lightheaded and true to the character (the film had a villain who kept the severed heads of the main character's friends on jars, but also a lot of crazy acrobatic stunts)
Captianmidnight, pulp characters deserve a comeback. Make people realize who came before the likes of Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, etc
I've only ever seen The Mark of Zorro specifically because I knew that was the movie that Bruce Wayne walked out of, I had to see what was being referenced, and it did not disappoint, it's a fun movie! I guess part of the problem with Zorro is that he's a bit cemented in time, he probably really only works within the timeframe of Spanish Colonies to maybe the time of the Civil War. It's got to be a time before the Industrial Revolution, and that time period continues to grow further distant, so you have to find a way to make it appealing to a modern audience because you can't just have a guy in the modern day running around with a sword, but maybe not to the point of hacker z0rr0 either. Even the Pirates of the Carribean franchise aren't traditional pirate movies, they're filled with supernatural beings and a million visual effects, can you do that with Zorro? I don't know, maybe Zorro's legacy is just kind of part of the masked vigilante superheroes we have today. I'm definitely interested to see a new take on the character, even if I am fairly green, but is there a market for it even with all the superhero movies we have going right now. Not that the quality of the movies aren't to be taken into consideration, but who was asking for Green Hornet and Lone Ranger movies? Who were they targeted for? It's not that these characters can't work, but maybe their legacy is what they inspired in the characters whose stories we follow today, similar to Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers for Sci-fiction and Space Opera that helped give us stuff like Star Trek and Star Wars.
I think though that the time period being far back enough could actually be a strenght from a certain point of view. Pulp heroes from the 20s to 40s already operates in a more familiar world, while the early 19th century is getting closer to old tales of long lost time, more like a Robin Hood. The key in my view is to focus on the elements that are timeless instead of thinking about how the characters could be "modernized". A man that stands by his moral principles and try to settle the wrongs and protect the weaks from tyranny is a timeless story that can resonate with people everywhere at any time.
But indeed it could be very easy to get it wrong, especially for current Hollywood studios.
Zorro’s connection to the specific era is what makes him so interesting. The swashbuckling era is a specific era for a reason. When guns and swords both saw their place, when wit and weapons won wars, not strength. And when treasure and liberty was on the horizon.
The age of swashbuckling is highly under represented.
Disney needs to add the full 1957 show with Guy Williams to Disney+ already. That's my Zorro. As for future movies, I'd be interested, but I think somewhere deep down I'll always view the character as belonging in a serialized story format. Maybe I need to watch the movies that have already been made before I can form such an opinion, though.
I'm with you 100%. Guy Williams is the true Zorro for me. A movie could be fun I suppose ( I haven't seen them either and wouldn't want Bandaras again) but something fleshed out where we can see more character development and the history behind the relationships he forms with his horse and his sidekick. Idk I think I'd like that a lot more.
The Antonio Banderas are such classics. I still watch them after these years very often and I never get bored of them.
Great video! I'm really glad to see you shine some light on this character; he's very under-appreciated.
I would argue that the Disney version of Zorro isn't exactly "sanitized". The tone of the series tends to be fairly lighthearted, as opposed to a more gritty property like Batman, but that's partly down to the source material. Zorro doesn't have a tragic backstory like Batman; he was driven to his crimefighting by personal principles rather than trauma. On the other hand, he can actually be a darker character than Batman in the Disney version, because he lacks Batman's no-kill rule. He doesn't take life gratuitously, but he does kill villains on more than one occasion (though only in fair combat). While the series does have a lot of comedy, there are many surprisingly intense moments in which it seems as if Zorro's entire world is about to come crashing down. There's also an intriguing twist at one point with regard to someone who discovers his secret identity, which changes the show permanently from that point forward. The series is notable for being far ahead of its time in terms of long-form, serialized storytelling. I'd say that it doesn't really downplay the concept of Zorro fighting against tyranny--at least not all the time. The degree to which that premise is used depends mainly on which storyline you're watching.
Also, with regard to the rights issues, yes, that's definitely a major reason why people steer away from using the character. I've been interested in writing a Zorro story myself for some time, and I technically could, under the laws governing the public domain. However, there is one particular company (Zorro Productions, Inc.) which holds a number of trademarks on the character and his likeness, and which is quick to sue anyone who tries to do anything Zorro-related. So I wouldn't be breaking the law if I created a Zorro story, but I would be risking a lawsuit that I don't have the money to fight in court, even though the trademarks for ZPI are of questionable legality. There has yet to be any legal precedent set against the company which definitively states that anyone can use the character without fear of reprisal. Even people with more resources at their disposal often choose to pay off ZPI rather than fighting it out with them. For example, comic books featuring Zorro usually have a copyright note on the first page stating that the character has been used with the permission of ZPI, *even though ZPI doesn't actually own the character.* They are what's known as a "patent troll", which is very frustrating for anyone trying to work with characters in the public domain.
But I heard you can pay a license fee to use the character in a story. Is that true?
@@maisuchan6209 Under certain circumstances, yes. It appears that ZPI will agree not to go after you if you pay them a fee, but ONLY if your work is traditionally published, not self-published, which limits use of the character considerably. Plus, it's just really scummy for them to be charging people at all, since they don't technically have the right to control use of the character.
@@1090Ideas I believe Alejandro and Bernardo were in Curse, so technically they would be safe to use if it weren't for the ZPI problem. Actually, ZPI probably wouldn't bother going after you for them at all; they care more about Diego de la Vega/Zorro than any one else in the canon, so far as I can tell. Not sure about Tornado, actually; I think he was created by Disney but I could be wrong about that. Really, if ZPI wasn't an issue, you could use nearly all the core elements that have recurred across various incarnations without having to worry, since only a few later portions of the source material have not yet entered the public domain (similar to Sherlock Holmes, where a few of the last stories in the canon are still protected by copyright). Even the first Zorro movie is so old that it's in the public domain, interestingly enough. The main issue as regards ZPI is simply Zorro himself. If you call the character Zorro, use the Z symbol in any way, or use a version of his iconic costume, they may be able to manufacture a reason to sue you as they could potentially call your iteration an infringement of one of their many trademarks (which they should never have been granted by the authorities in the first place). Judging from the copyright page of her novel, it looks like even Allende had to square things with ZPI before she was able to publish her book.
Exactly what I was thinking about the Disney version!
@@sillyslicker1 Thanks! It's great, isn't it? 😀
It's funny I was just thinking of Zorro the other day and then I saw your video just now. I really miss this character. Always have loved this character and wish he had more recognition nowadays. It's great to find some people that think like me about this awesome character.
The mask of Zorro is one of these films that I grew up with and could rewatch over and over. Glad to see it hasn’t been forgotten, great video! Would love to see Tarantino do that Django Zorro film or a third Logan style Antonio banderas film
I'm a native San Diegan, 2nd generation, my Dad's Dad is from Boston, but he and I grew up with Zorro love because all of the OG films were filmed here in San Diego. My Mother is Mexican, Zorro means so much more to her than just cool films. I freaking love Zorro. Thank you for making this video. You described perfectly everything I love about this character, everything I want to see in the future, and everything that has both let me down and filled me with joy growing up with him. We need a Zorro today w/ Diego Luna playing him (for the love of God do not give it to that Spiderman kid). More than we need another Batman.
Which films were filmed in San Diego, and what part of the city? I've always loved Zorro, but am just rediscovering it and getting to know all the versions. I was at Casa de Pico last weekend, felt like I was back in time in a Zorro show. I'm rewatching the 90's series now.
Patrick Willems' video on The Mask of Zorro did a good job of reminding me how fun it was. I wouldn't mind seeing a real Zorro movie again.
The Mask of Zorro remains a near-perfect adventure film. Funny, heartfelt, and full of fantastic swashbuckling action. It really deserves to be rediscovered.
It’s setting is wrong. No Zorro story should have revolvers. Zorro is in the age of single shot pistols. Heck he uses one in the first book.
@@Quincy_Morris The bulk of the story takes place in 1840. The Colt Patterson was introduced in 1836. Various pepperbox revolvers had existed for several years before that. Alejandro is from a younger generation than Diego, who, if you recall, was already getting old and was ready to retire when the story starts in 1820, meaning that the bulk of his previous life as Zorro would've taken place in the 1810's and even the 00's, very much within the single shot pistol era. Even in 1840, single shot pistols were still vastly the most common pistols in use, as revolvers didn't REALLY take off until Colt introduced it's more robust designs in the late 1840s and early 1850s, which is why ONLY Captain Love carries/uses a revolver in the film. All other characters seen using pistols in the film, use single shot pistols.
You forgot the 90s series with Duncan Reghr!
I just popped The Mask off Zorro into the DVD player. It's one of my favorite movies, and Zorro is one of my favorite characters!
I grew up watching Zorro the animated series, and the opening at 8:44 brought me so much nostalgia. I loved the character and I like your point about him being a true "defender of the downtrodden". I think he got the short end of the stick when it comes to good adaptations and in the right hands, his character could make for an amazing movie.
Yeah I agree, this whole franchise has been neglected and it's so unfair
YES! More Zorro! I've been saying this for years. So glad to hear someone else bring it up. Isn't it BS how one bad sequel killed this franchise? That would never happen today. Fast and the Furious 2 was terrible, but we still got Tokyo Drift, and look where we are now. In space!
I'd love a more serious version of Zorro. Give it the Batman Begins treatment. It deserves to be a big production with serious themes and good writing and legitimate dramatic acting. It's a grand love story and an exciting adventure about a hero rising up and fighting against Putin-like figures for the common man. It would be good for the times. Lots of social commentary could be made about tyranny, oppression, excess, and the wealth gap. Also, sword fights of this kind are rarely seen outside of Pirates of the Caribbean movies anymore. But they're so much fun when done well, as are the horse riding stunts. A serious Zorro movie would be a surefire hit if they could just do it justice and treat the source material with the respect it deserves.
Mask of Zorro is one of the most perfect films ever made. Anyone who says otherwise is a PUBLIC ENEMY
Same. Even the cheesy stuff had an endearing charm that's hard to replicate.
@@andreivaldez2929 the cheesiness of it worked so well for it’s time too. The incredible duo of Banderas and Hopkins also made it work exceptionally well.
Ahh, the Banderas movies hold a special place in my heart, I used to watch them with my folks as a kid all the time. And I'm a huge fan of both Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones!
I love Pulp era stories. I wish we had more adaptations of those stories, or stories told in that same type of style for modern audiences.
I read the Curse of Capistrano over Christmas this past year. I loved it! I like the Disney version, and I seem to remember an early 1990s show as well that I liked.
Zorro was inspired by the Scarlett Pimpernel. The BBC put out a fantastic movie of that starring Jane Seymore and Ian McKellan. Highly recommend!
Zoro could definitely use a comeback in this day and age.
I was literally JUST reminiscing about Zorro last night, the universe works in mysterious ways… I’d love some more genuine Zorro content, he was my superhero idol long b4 Ironman stole my heart in 08. One thing I feel is Necessary for a good adaptation is palpable on screen chemistry with his love interest. Banteres and Zeta jones were absolute scene stealers, the most underrated film couple in cinema
RIP James Horner
Thanks for making these movies feel so epic
Would love to see a new Zorro film! And they should bring back Elliot and Rossio as screenwriters. They are brilliant.
Love zorro ! Thanks for the video. So right now we have a prime video series coming out. A few years ago an anime series with 26 épisodes and next year another adaptation with Jean Dujardin. One remark, if I remember correctly, Antonio Banderas plays the real bandit which inspired the first zorro book? Or maybe his brother... 😅
I taught I was the only one who still cared about Zorro. This video makes me so happy 😭
I loved the theme song for the Disney version ... "Out of the when the full moon is bright, came the horseman known as Zorro ..."
Zorro and Lone Ranger are my childhood. I absolutely loved their versions of "The Wild West" and I would love for Zorro to get the attention he deserves
Hello my name is Larry and I am 73. I have watched all the ZORRO movies on TV and in Theater. I loved them all and would like to see another TV series and or Movie come back out. There are also other movies I would like to see come back out on TV and in the movies.
It may be nostalgia talking but the 90's tv series out of Canada (and aired on The Family channel in the states in the 90's) is still by and far one of my favorite renditions of Zorro. Action, Wit, Romance, and fighting tyranny was all a big part in it. Plus the theme song bas a banger and still holds up.
With that said my favorite rendition is the novel Zorro by Isabel Allande. I love it when an origin story is done well, and that novel really lays the foundations of Zorro (everything from his skills to his dual personas)
I was waiting for someone to mention this series! I watched it every day and was my introduction to the character.
I know I didn't appreciate the series, even though I loved it as a kid, until I started watching it again last week. The series really has a lot of character depth that the latest movies don't get a chance to show. I think Duncan Regehr's personality added a lot to that, too. I've only watched one episode of Guy Williams as Zorro, look forward to watching more of those, too.
I'm so excited that someone else loves Zorro and also wants to see the character succeed on screen
The earliest memory of Zoro for me was when I went to Disney world when I was really young. The TV at the hotel was playing Disney classics, and one happened to be Zorro. I honestly can't remember most of it, but I do remember making Zorro masks and drawing Zorro stuff for the rest of the trip.
Other than that the only exposure I've had of Zorro is the reference to it in shows and movies where they quickly cut a letter or symbol into something with their sword.
I have very fond feelings towards The Mask of Zorro (the sequel was incredibly disappointing) and I would love to see a Zorro franchise be rebirthed
100% Agree! I’m so happy I’m not the only one who feels that way
I´d love too see a new Zorro series on some kind of streaming service, an action packed adventure with some swashbuckling action and a slightly more serious tone with a good joke or two. I remember being fascinated by Zorro as a child and I think something new could fascinate todays children and the adults who grew up watching him. Sadly though by the time the 2005 movie came out, it was too late and the distance between films I felt really hurt it. I fear though that with the passage of time the name Zorro will be only known as a character in One Piece. Also did anyone ever watch that series in the 90s ?
Oh yeah that's already happened, talking to anime fans about Zorro is often a... painful experience
Me and some friends were saying a few weeks ago that there needs to be a new Zorro movie.
I really loved Zorro. I grew up watching the first movie again and again. There's both a simplicity to the dramatic arcs while being a certain peril and intrigue that humanized a main character that was a myth. Movies like Nolan's Dark Knight have in other ways done the opposite, humanizing a mythical character and attempting to bring him down to our level so we could feel his struggle. Characters like Zorro though, myths with power, also do something else we really need: we need to know that our struggles matter and that a dream of a free 'California' can be real. It's a fight against real and powerful villains, and it says 'the fight is worthwhile'. I'd love to watch something like that, a return to the basics of solid action-stories and character driven myths.
Just here to say that the Mark of Zorro is a fantastic silent black & white movie. Highly recommend. Mark of Zorro, Nosferatu, and pretty much any Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin film (if I had to pick one, it would probably be Keaton's "The General") are not only my favorite old timey silent B&W films, but some of my favorites of all time. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
I agree, the silent film is my favorite Zorro movie
3:50 You know... "poorly-received parody" just doesn't do "Zorro: The Gay Blade" justice. That film has so many moments between Diego de la Vega (yes, I know they refer to him as "Diego Vega," but it always felt off with the "de la" in there) and Esteban that, to this day, have me in stitches! Also, 4:15 No mention of the 1990s Zorro TV series starring Duncan Regehr as Don Diego de la Vega?! That show was my jam growing up! It had great swashbuckling, earnest leads, and some truly awesome moments, and it's a shame that in a Zorro Franchise roundup you completely glossed over this 90s gem!
It was poorly-received because it was ahead of it's time, ngl
Dude you do not miss! Consistently balanced and good takes from cinema to TV. Honestly really enjoy your videos man they're super watchable not super lon video essays or super short summaries. A lot of other creators I feel are too harsh or too soft on a lot of popular franchises in media and I think your stuff is really refreshing.
Pedro Pascal! He could play this role gritty AND witty so effortlessly without it ever feeling like he’s taking himself to seriously or straying too far into camp. This needs to happen, Zorro is massively under appreciated!
Thank you for making this video! I've always loved Zorro, and I'd be so happy to see him on the silver screen again.
I would love to see a series of Zorro films (or good quality TV) starting with a young actor and doing an origin story. If they take the time to develop the character so that people really care about what happens to him (there's a lot to work with there in terms of being inspiring) it could go on a really long time, and could even cross over with other pulp heroes if somebody wanted to secure the rights and make a big franchise. The main thing is to let it build an audience and tell grounded stories where the bad guys are complex and the stakes are realistic. Michael Garza comes to mind as a good choice to look at for the role; he has range and could play the part well now and into the future. It'd take Kevin Feige sized cojones to make all that happen, but I'd sure pay to watch it.
Yeh and Benderes trains the next Zorro in line like Hopkins did to him
Zorro is the movie that inspired me and my friends to make movies when we were kids. It will always hold a special place in my heart. It doesn't hurt that it's also got a lot of great content to go with it.
Zorro on Amazon prime is surprisingly excellent.
Who's in that? I'm getting confused with newer versions.
Miguel Bernardeau. Never heard of him..But I do enjoy this spin on it
.
Amazon prime just released a new Zorro series and it reminded me of this video. The new series is amazing, highly recommended
This video was like smelling salts for my memories. Lol. I used to run around with a cape, hat, and yardstick pretending to be Zorro. Grew up watching the old Disney show in reruns and remember when the mask and legend movies came out. Would love to see the character return to the screen.
I just saw the 2024 Amazon Prime Zorro and I think its pretty good. Id love for Captain Midnight to do a review on it soon!
The last few months, I've actually been thinking about Zorro and why he isn't a thing, anymore! As a kid, I really loved watching re-runs of the Disney version, and you just jogged my memory about a Zorro game that I had on my GameBoy 😄I'd love to see the character make a comeback.
The new amazon serie tv is really good
Yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I saw this on my feed and as a huge Zorro fan my heart stopped! Thank you so much for talking about my favorite superhero!
There's a new show on prime and it's absolutely amazing!!
It would be kinda cool to see a Zorro movie that's actually a batman movie about Bruce Wayne watching Zorro at the theater right before his parents get killed.
I loved the idea of having Diego Luna as Zorro. I thought this was the film in the works, indeed. I also love Zorro and wanna see a new movie with the character.
Me too!
I grew up with a love for anything sword-fighting, & I really miss these movies. I'd be glad to see something like this return
“…why he’s being so ignored recently?”
Not much of a limb to go out on and say “a sword-swinging pulp character with one well-received property in the past 60-70 years that quickly dulled” is not slightly surprising to be on the “continue to ignore” list like the Phantom, Dick Tracy, et al.”
I am not sure any of them are particularly resurrectable these days, and I am fully certain no studio will see it as “inspiring choice to give another swing at the bat” while there is a deep well of actually-selling IP-including pulpy ones-to give a first attempt at it to see if they can build a series.
There will be…. “occasional stuff”
See also; Puss in Boots from Shrek basically being the same character
I guess one thing to run out is "who are iconic characters from that same era?" Maybe not necessarily of equivalent recognition, but...
Kull? Philip Marlowe or Mike Hammer or Sam Spade or Nick Carter? The Sonora Kid?
For every Conan and Tarzan, there are dozens of dead-as-doornails characters, and a lot of "oh I think I recognize the name but..." abandonware. Even from the same authors. (Solomon Kane, anyone?)
Consider Johnston McCulley himself. Outside of Zorro, does even a speck of his other character knowledge remain? Black Star? The Crimson Clown? The Green Ghost? The Mongoose? Is this because they were particularly unusable, or because very little of the era broke free and remained compelling?
Consider ones you probably DO know. Buck Rogers? Flash Gordon? Once that even had "something compelling from the 80's" to spring off, nostalgia-wise. Nary a peep. (Well, occasional peeps but largely projects knocked around and knocked back and "who knows." Like, a studio takes a chance on neo-noir like The Spirit and when it bombs the knock-on effects all of these.) John Carter from Mars was a Hail Mary attempt and... put interest back further.
Are these... "character issues?" I tend to think not, at least compared to "everything else" about the pulp era. They're seen ironically, or cringe-tastically, and represent an era that's far too close to us to feel comfortable about. Meanwhile, you can "analogue" almost all of them into a different form from a "popularized" pathway, like Marvel/DC characters from any age, or even video games. They don't have "salable" names that put butts in seats.
Too modern to be "mythology" or "folklore" but too old to be worth pursuing. I don't think any of them have a realistic chance. Even Conan died with Schwartzenegger, and was only worth a single modern film adaptation take. Same with Tarzan. I would rate Zorro as "barely has a chance." None of them, even the most popular of them, are "particularly worth it." Certainly not from the studio view.
They will live on in comics and books, where their audience still is, and the barrier of entry is very small in comparison. To a lesser extent, video games. I do not see much else happening.
Alright Mr.Midnight, you’ve spoken of Zorro and therefore you’ve earned my subscription. I thank you for speaking about my hero El Zorro
For a long time now, I've been really over it with superhero movies and even the more fantastic Sci fi stuff. Zorro as a gritty hero who doesn't dress up like an animal and isn't magic, might really scratch that itch. Jason Bourne with a mask or the Bat Man without ears.
The series just never recovered from being attached to the death of the Waynes.
I know Pedro Pascal is in a lot of things but he'd make an amazing Zorro.
He'd be perfect for the role! Has the charm, charisma, and humor to play Zorro!
Came looking for this
Tony Dalton >
I honestly think Zorro is the perfect character to do an old school like adventure show with like a villain of the week setup
There's a couple problems with Zorro. Sony fucked around too much on doing a sequel to the 1998 Banderas film, so when it came out 7 years later, no one cared for it and the script for it was mediocre. The western period setting makes it expensive to make with sets, prod design, costumes & outdoor locations, as westerns don't have any cache anymore to be made as cinema films. Yes I know Django was successful at the cinema, but that had Tarantino behind it. I'm not sure it could work if it was updated to a modern day contemporary setting, as it was a creation of an older time.
Not that many westerns get made these days, but it's absolutely a staple genre and could work with a wide range of budgets. A good Zorro movie would need a big budget though, yes - because if you don't do the stunts for real then what's even the point?
@@KillahMate Maybe Netflix could take it on. They seem to have a soft spot for westerns with hits such as The Power of the Dog, News of the World, The Harder They Fall and The Ballard of Buster Scruggs. The problem with Zorro is its not a traditional western but rather a swashbuckling masked crusader set in the 19th century, at a time when California was more Spanish than American. This makes me wonder though if Zorro ever caught on in Spain or Latin America?
... Westerns. Expensive. Hmmm. Maybe to a certain extent, but definitely not nearly as much as the space western cluster-fucks, the eye-blinding sci-fi acid trip lens flares, the nostalgia bait "physical props is what Star Wars has always been about" BS, and the undead Marvel horse that is being beaten back to hell again as we speak.
But yeah. A barren field in the Midwest, some shacks, some horses, some pistols and rifles, boom. That's all you need. Back in the day, they had a pipeline for them so they were massively cheaper to make since props, horses, and sets were reused over and over. But I think a Western would still be cheaper than most the films coming out today with their high tech, big budget, and low writing skill approach to things.
@@barbiquearea ... It was Spanish. At that point it was a colony of Spain. Wasn't really American at all.
Dude, literally NO mention of the Duncan Regehr TV series on Family Channel from early 90s?! Was there some kind of legal obstruction? It ran for four seasons, longer than the Disney show, which I believe makes it the most expansive adaptation. Also, it was pretty good! I'm frankly a little miffed at that oversight, it was my Zorro gateway show.
Wish granted the new Zorro tv show on Amazon is amazing.
Captain, I love that you felt so passionately about Zorro that you made this vid. You’re right on the money with all of it. Respect.
Zorro disappeared in the same way cowboys, or as stated in the earlier part of the video, pulp heroes. Look how quickly most of these type of hero stories go stale when you consider how terrible the modern writers room takes material.
There was a Zorro tv series that ran from 1990 to 1993 for 4 seasons on The Family Channel.
There was also a Zorro cartoon put out by Filmation in 1981.
Yeah both of those are great!
I’ve been wondering the same thing amigo, thank you for making a video on Zorro!
The last Zorro stuff I remember was the Generation Z cartoon and a novel from about 20 years ago.
Hey Cap. In short: yes. I’m interested. Thinking of writing a mock-up for a draft story.
I grew up with his series on the 90's and the movies, he deserves more love for sure.
8:41 I'm really glad you gave a small, visual mention to the animated series. My grandma had a DVD of the series containing a few of what it referred to as the show's best episodes. I can't seem to find the series anywhere, and I don't even know how many episodes there even were. Animation's another place where Zorro could easily succeed in, and I'm surprised no one talks about the animated show.
I’ve also tried to find the series. It seems to have vanished off the face of the Earth, and no one else seems to even remember them.
I really want Disney+ to put the old series up there
Zorro's great! Three years ago I spotted the novelization of The Mask of Zorro in a used book shop and picked it up because I'm a huge fan of its author, James Luceno. Read it then watched the '98 flick for the first time and was like "This movie is so much damn fun." The dude who played the blond American bad guy was chilling. I kinda thought he was Wyatt Russell even though Wyatt Russell was twelve when that movie came out. Anyway I also got the original Curse of Capistrano novel on my Kindle and it was a lot of fun too.