Let the swashbuckling commence immediately: Deadline reports that NBC is developing a female-led Zorro, a contemporary take on the masked swordfighter. This is already very good news, but it gets better: producers include Robert Rodriquez, Rebecca Rodriguez, and Sofia Vergara.
It’s been 15 years since Antonio Banderas last wore the black mask, in 2005’s The Legend of Zorro, and a person might argue that the most memorable parts of that movie involved Catherine Zeta-Jones also getting to swordfight. It’s time. And if Arrow can spend seven seasons fighting criminals with a bow, why not let someone do the same with a sword? Zorro‘s lead will be an “underground artist” named Sola Dominguez, who fights for social justice under the name of the mythical Zorro. (I very hope they build out a whole Zorro mythos.) Needless to say, this does not endear her to some criminal elements.
The involvement of the Rodriguez siblings immediately elevates this entire concept: I probably don’t have to tell you that Robert Rodriguez directed last week’s very action-packed episode of The Mandalorian, or that he developed the From Dusk Till Dawn television show and is, of course, the master of the Spy Kids universe. (He was also originally set to direct The Mask of Zorro, and was responsible for casting Banderas before leaving the film.) Rebecca Rodriguez, who will direct the new Zorro, may be a less-known name, but she’s been directing episodes of everything from Doom Patrol to Snowpiercer. Vergara is known for her work in comedy, including Modern Family and Hot Pursuit, but she’s also in a producing role here; there’s no word yet on who might star.
