Zzz...orro

• 15.12.2021 10:46 UTC+01:00
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Disney is to remake Zorro. Again. This time as a TV series. Again. Verily, there's a torrent of creativity gushing forth from the House of Mouse. (rolleyes)

“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.”

Joe Otterson, ‘Zorro’ Series Starring Wilmer Valderrama in the Works at Disney Branded Television, Variety

By this Disney classic, I'm presuming that Ms Davis is specifically referring to the company's '50s TV series. Although the story of Zorro is an undoubted classic, it is not Disney's creation, irrespective of whether they own the rights. But this is a reimagining, and we all know what that means, eh kids?

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and suggest that period piece and contemporary characters and relationships, while not necessarily mutually exclusive, don't make obvious bedfellows. I can't wait for the lead female character to be some purple-haired, shaven-headed weirdo with los cojones de un elefante toro. That'll be fun, and definitely contemporary!

As to interesting and rich diversity, before anyone points out that a Zorro has already been played by an Hispanic actor—Antonio Banderas in both The Mask of Zorro and The Legend of Zorro—let me make a couple of clarifications. Firstly, that was not under Disney's watch, and neither film is available on Disney+, so they might as well not exist. Secondly, two of the major supporting roles, Don Diego de la Vega and Elena, were stolen by whities. What is not clear, at the moment, is whether the new production will go full-fat diversity, and not subtitle the Spanish dialogue, so as to not subjugate Spanish under the heel of the English language jackboot.

For the record, I'm not against Hispanic actors being cast to play Hispanic roles. Quite the opposite, in fact. The Hispanic characters should be played by Hispanic actors; it can only add authenticity and realism to a dramatic tale of swashbuckling derring-do. But, when the suits lead with diversity, reimagining, and culturally-relevant—what the hell is that supposed to mean anyway?—instead of focussing on the story and characters, I sense that authenticity and realism aren't priorities.

Having said all that, it's only a series for Disney+, so what can you expect? (rolleyes)