Wilmer Valderrama set to bring Zorro back to American TV audiences

It's been 60 years since Johnston McCulley's flamboyant, masked vigilante thrilled American television audiences – but thanks to 41-year-old Colombian/Venezuelan American actor Wilmer Valderrama, Zorro is set to return to American screens in a new live-action series under Disney Branded Television.

According to Variety, Valderrama will star in and produce the reimagined series – playing Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego, the titular masked horseman. Gary Marsh, the outgoing president and chief creative officer of Disney Branded Television, will serve as co-producer.

“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.”

Valderrama has said that he feels excited to add to the legacy of the Zorro brand – while representing the Latino community.

“Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero. As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility for the stories that I help bring to life,” he said. “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.”