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The Legend of Zorro The Legend of Zorro premiere:
October 16, 2005, Los Angeles, CA USA
Many thanks to Ukelelehip of the Rufus Daily Live Journal
Community for these photos!
   
Photos from "The Legend of Zorro"
Press Conference - October 25, 2005
And more!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks, Ukelelehip!
Rogue charm
The Star Online
Tuesday, November 8, 2005
http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2005/11/8/movies/12415944&sec=movies
By ELIZABETH NG
He plays the charismatic French aristocrat Armand in Zorro 2, who apart from wooing Elena
(Catherine Zeta-Jones) after her recent separation from Don Alejandro (Antonio Banderas),
is attending to his clandestine duties as the head of an ancient fraternity.
Rufus Sewell, who turned 35 on Oct 29, feels that the good thing about being involved in a
sequel is that everyone knows what they are doing. “It’s not a new director,
it’s not a new Zorro...you know they’ve got that bit sorted out. You know what
you’re slotting into so I quite liked it,” he says during an interview in Los
Angeles. As the relative newcomer to the cast, Sewell did feel a little like the outsider
when working on the sequel, but he still enjoyed his stint opposite Banderas and
Zeta-Jones.
Rufus Sewell. “It was great, very nice. He was very warm and very welcoming,” he
says about working with Banderas.
Playing an old acquaintance of Zeta-Jones’ character was easy since the situation
actually mirrors reality. “I knew her from years ago – we have mutual friends
– and I’ve seen her like 10 years before. It was nice seeing Catherine again and
doing the scenes with her was fun.”
One of the things he likes about his scenes with the Welsh beauty is that he gets to show
a more charming side to his character. “I was playing the guy as what he wants to
present himself to the world. So it wasn’t just being evil from Day One but he was
evil when provoked. If you didn’t provoke him, you’d think him a very charming,
magnanimous entrepreneur,” he says.
But a question begs to be asked. Why is a Brit playing a Frenchman? “When someone
says to me: ‘Do you want to play a French guy?’ I say ‘yes’. I
don’t say ‘Why don’t you get a French person?’ In case they go
‘Oh, good idea!’ “I’m not going to be the one who suggests they do
something else. (I guess) what they wanted is some kind of suggestion, they want someone
pretending to be a charming Frenchman but who in fact is someone else. So that’s what
I did, I hope it turned out.”
Prior to filming, Sewell spent two months in Mexico in preparation for his role. He held
to a routine of two hours of horseback riding in the mornings and two to three hours of
sword fighting after lunch break. He did this everyday for two months, six days a week.
Even with intense training, the sword fighting scenes were the most challenging to shoot.
“There was always something that they didn't quite count even though it’s been
worked out within an inch of its life. There’s always some logistical problem, which
means you had to change it. And when you’ve learnt something with body memory –
that it just happens automatically – it’s very difficult to adjust. It was
tricky,” he explains.
Sewell, who has played villains in A Knight’s Tale and Bless the Child is aware that
his portrayal of Armand may leave him typecast as the baddie. So why does he keep
accepting such roles? “Because I’ve played one and that’s the way it is. It
seems to be that way with the big Hollywood films – that’s if they come my way
– because it’s a proven commodity,” he says. “It’s going to look
the same on the back of a DVD sleeve; it’ll look on the trailer like I’m just
playing another baddie, but as long as it’s sufficiently a different character –
it’s not the same guy – I don’t care.”
thanks, Rai!
ZETA-JONES APOLOGISES TO RUFUS AFTER KICKING HIM IN
THE FACE
www.contactmusic.com
October 17, 2005
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES was so sure she had seriously injured
her THE LEGEND OF ZORRO co-star RUFUS SEWELL during a fight scene, she sent him flowers in
hospital.
The Welsh actress feared she'd broken fellow Brit Sewell's nose when she accidentally
kicked him in the face during a sequence, but she was relieved to hear he made a speedy
recovery.
She recalls, "There's a scene on a runaway train, where we're trying to catch the bad
guys, and I come around and I kick Rufus Sewell.
"It was supposed to be like a stunt kick. Oh no, I got the end of his nose and a lot
of blood came out. I thought I'd broken his nose but he was all right. I sent him flowers.
He was fine."
"The Legend of Zorro" Movie
Premiere
October 16, 2005
www.About.com
http://movies.about.com/library/weekly/blzorrocz101705.htm
Video Interview with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rufus Sewell, and Screenwriters Alex Kurtzman
and Roberto Orci talk about "The Legend of Zorro" and why it took so many years
to do a "Zorro" sequel.
play the video
Count Armand
Rufus Sewell on "The Legend of Zorro," Playing a Bad Guy, and Training
Rufus Sewell plays Armand, one of the men who faces off against Zorro (Antonio Banderas)
in "The Legend of Zorro." But if you ask Sewell about his character being a bad
guy in the movie, he'll tell you it depends on your point of view.
Sewell said, "I’d like to think I’m a good guy but the trailer makes it
otherwise. The script says… Well according to me he’s a soldier for the other
team. Unfortunately the poster has a 'Z' on it and not an 'A' for Armand so I guess that
for purposes of the interview I’m a bad guy."
Rufus Sewell on the Joy of Being Bad: Sewell enjoys sinking his teeth
into the role of a bad guy. "If it’s a well-written bad guy
absolutely. And this is very well-written. It’s a rounded character."
Rufus Sewell Gets Physical in "The Legend of Zorro:" Sewell
said he's involved in lots of sword fighting. "Loads. Not in real life but in
pretendy life I do. I had to learn to fight. Aside from the training actually just learn
to fight and that can take months and months and months and months. So I did two months in
Mexico before we started filming just two or three hours a day. And then I forgot it
(laughing). And then they change it when you get up on the train or whatever you’re
on when you’re fighting."
Rufus Sewell on Working on "The Legend of Zorro:" "Well
the hardest few days were the train days. You know, you learn to fight but then they have
to change it. You speed it up. You go from the middle rather than the beginning or the
end. And then suddenly rather than the fighting instructor I’ve got Zorro coming at
me, which is a slightly different proposition I discovered (laughing). That’s what
makes it exciting."
Rufus Sewell on the Sequel and Fans of the First "Zorro" Film:
"You can pick right up. It’s written as though time has passed. No one is having
to pretend it’s the next day. Basically you know that they have a child, they were
together, and he’s Zorro. That’s all you need to know. It would help you to see
the first film because that will mean that you probably liked the first film. If you
didn’t see the first film, you probably don’t want to see the second one. But
what do I know (laughing)."
Rufus Sewell's Upcoming Projects: "I have got 'The Illusionist'
coming up and I’ve got 'Tristan and Isolde' coming up. And I’m just about to
start a film called 'Amazing Grace,' which is Michael Apted’s film. It’s about
the abolition of the slave trade. And in two of those I’m a goodie.
Who does he play in "The Illusionist?" Sewell said, "I’m the Crown
Prince of Austria and I basically end up being the enemy of Edward Norton’s character
who is a conjuror."
also from About.com
A PG Legend of Zorro - Action-Adventure For the
Whole Family
Antonio Banderas on Making a PG Legend of
Zorro: “I really don't understand that stuff, those qualifications for movies. We
were very specific about the fact that Zorro should not kill technically anyone. There are
obviously two deaths in the movie with two bad guys. The first one is almost accidentally,
and then the second one, yes, he set the guy up who he's going to crush at the end of the
trail, but he's not violently killing him with his own hands or with his sword.”
Antonio Banderas on the Lack of Blood in Both Zorro Movies: “We were very keen not to
show any kind of blood in the movie or Zorro stabbing anyone. In the first part that
happens. In the first one I can remember killing the Captain at the end of the movie with
the sword, but this time with Steven [Spielberg] and Martin Campbell and everyone on the
movie, they were very careful with that type of thing.”
Antonio Banderas Says PG Doesn't Make Zorro Lose His Edge: “I don't think so. I think
that we have to see that this movie is going to be seen by kids too. I think that it's
important that it doesn't seem so bloody in that way.”
Martin Campbell on Making a PG Legend of Zorro: “In fact, I was originally going to
go for a PG-13. That’s what I was asked to do and as it turned out, I managed to get
a PG which was pretty terrific.”
Martin Campbell Got a PG for Legend of Zorro Without Even Trying: “Yeah, pretty much.
I had to take out one or two tiny little cuts but very few, out of it. Very few. The knife
on the tongue I remember was a tiny bit of a problem but we reduced that and we got a PG
so I was very thrilled. So parents can take their kids and it’s terrific.”
Martin Campbell on Why Zorro Does Not Kill: “Well, that was always in the first one.
The only person he kills in the first one really is his arch enemy which is Captain Love.
Other than that, he kills nobody. They all fall on their swords or they all knock each
other off high places, whatever it is. But he never deliberately kills anybody except his
worst enemy.”
Rufus Sewell on Being a PG Friendly Villain in The Legend of Zorro:
“You can’t think in terms of things like that. I just let everyone else worry
about that. Also, I think that the desired audience, the type of movie they were aiming
for was present from the very moment they wrote the script and you could tell that.
It’s not something that they had to go, ‘Ooh, now how should we sell this? Which
bit should we cut out?’ They knew what they were doing and you could see what it was
going to be when you read it very clearly because it was well crafted. So pretty much the
whole thing is in there.”
"The Legend of Zorro" Reviews
‘Zorro’ is as fresh as
ever
Grade B+
By Glenn Davis
The Independent Tiger Weekly (Louisiana State University)
http://www.tigerweekly.com
There are certain characters in modern culture that will
probably be around forever. James Bond, Batman, Tarzan, and Dracula have been around for
so long they’re imbedded into our minds. Another very important character that has
entertained millions of people throughout the years has been Zorro. With this week’s
release of “The Legend of Zorro,” it’s apparent that Zorro isn’t going
anywhere; this film is as fun as you can get.
In “The Legend of Zorro,” Antonio Banderas and
Catherine Zeta-Jones reprise their roles from 1998’s “The Mask of
Zorro.” In “The Legend of Zorro,” Alejandro (Banderas) continues his
fight against evil as the titular masked folk hero.
Alejandro has more problems than bad guys, though. His wife
Elena has been urging him to give up his swashbuckling and live a normal life with her and
their young son, Joaquin. Just when Alejandro thinks things can’t get any worse, in
comes a suave nobleman named Armand (Rufus Sewell), who tries to sweep Elena off of her
feet. It is then that Alejandro’s and Zorro’s enemies become one when it turns
out that Armand is a part of a secret society with an evil plan to destroy the United
States.
I was a big fan of “The Mask of Zorro” when it
came out in 1998, so I was a bit worried about this sequel. However, the filmmakers have
created a fun adventure film that is good for the entire family.
Antonio Banderas is wonderful as both Alejandro and Zorro.
Catherine Zeta-Jones is absolutely gorgeous and she gets to kick some butt this time
around. Banderas and Zeta-Jones show terrific chemistry. It also doesn’t hurt that
they are both very attractive and talented actors. Also, Rufus Sewell (“Dark
City”) is very evil and charming at the same time, and is a great villain.
One aspect that surprised me was just how funny this film
is. Sure there are some silly gags involving Zorro’s horse and a few scenes involving
Alejandro’s and Elena’s son that were obviously put in for kids to enjoy. Where
“The Mask of Zorro” had more of an action movie feel, this sequel is much more
like the old adventures of Zorro, which were very lighthearted and fun.
Watching “The Legend of Zorro” reminded me of an
old-fashioned adventure film from the 1950’s. Director Martin Campbell stayed true to
the original style of Zorro and has created a fun, exciting old-fashioned film that is
very entertaining. Campbell, who is also directing the next James Bond movie, shows great
talent and respect by not changing the spirit of the original character.
Zorro has been in our culture for roughly fifty years, and
in “The Legend of Zorro,” he’s just as fresh as he ever was. As I said
before, parts of this film were a bit silly, but for the most part you will have an
absolute blast. No matter how old you are, this film will make you feel like you’re
11-years old again.
Thanks, Therese!
The Observer
Philip French
Sunday October 30, 2005
Man in the ironic mask
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/screen/story/0,6903,1604322,00.html
Antonio Banderas is back as the swashbuckling Zorro in Martin Campbell's exhilarating
sequel
The Legend of Zorro
(130 mins, PG)
Directed by Martin Campbell; starring Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rufus Sewell
Junk food
chains don't usually engage gourmet chefs to upgrade their product. The owners of
cinematic franchises, however, frequently bring in individual talents to freshen up the
ingredients and sharpen the menu. The decline of the Batman movies after Tim Burton's
first two pictures was halted this year by Christopher Nolan directing Batman Begins, and
the Bond movies have perked up since the mid-1990s when Martin Campbell, Roger
Spottiswoode and Michael Apted succeeded each other at the helm. It is good news that
Campbell, whose 1985 BBC film, Edge of Darkness, is one of the finest political thrillers
ever made in this country, is now to direct the movie of Casino Royale, the first and best
of Ian Fleming's novels.
After GoldenEye, his contribution to the Bond cycle, Campbell made a good job of
reviving Don Diego Vega, the early 19th-century Californian aristocrat who righted wrongs
as the masked crusader Zorro, first played on screen by that great swashbuckler, Douglas
Fairbanks, in 1920. In Campbell's The Mask of Zorro, the ageing Don Diego (Anthony
Hopkins) trains the proud peasant Alejandro (Antonio Banderas) to be his successor and
together they defeat a conspiracy of authoritarian landowners and Alejandro marries the
don's feisty daughter, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones).
Campbell treated the movie as a cross between a swashbuckler and a spaghetti western,
Rafael Sabatini meets Sergio Leone as it were, and the result was exhilarating. In the
sequel, The Legend of Zorro, he does much the same, but adds a strong, self-consciously
contemporary political element.
This being a Steven Spielberg production, the movie begins with a breathless 10-minute
action sequence of vigour and invention and ends with similarly large-scale pyrotechnics
and an extended battle on a runaway train, all in the Indiana Jones manner. In between,
things don't slow down that much, though it is necessary at first to separate
Alejandro/Zorro from Elena to restore fire and desire to their 10-year-old marriage. Their
young son has inherited his father's impetuous courage without discovering Dad's heroic
identity. So they separate over the issue of pleasure versus duty.
It's the summer of 1850, the locals have just voted to become the 31st state of the
Union and the decision will be ratified in a few months. She wants a vacation in New York
and Europe; he feels honour-bound to stay at home and guard against trouble. He is right
and, in different ways, both become involved in frustrating a fiendish international
scheme, he as Zorro, she as a Mata Hari for Washington, whose secret servicemen are
manipulating her in a way likely to bring to mind Ingrid Bergman's situation in
Hitchcock's Notorious
The plotters are the Knights of Aragon, a 1,000-year-old cult right out of The Da Vinci
Code, whose purpose is world domination. Their leader is Armand (Rufus Sewell), a
suave French aristocrat who stands for all that's worst in Donald Rumsfeld's Old Europe.
Like a Bond villain, he lives a double life, socially and architecturally. Beneath his
grand hacienda is hidden a factory making weapons of mass destruction that he intends to
use to tear America apart in a 'pre-emptive strike' (his phrase) that will anticipate the
Civil War. A British associate of his organisation walks out rather than betray the United
States.
In league with Armand is a ruthless religious terrorist, his fundamentalism Christian
rather than Islamic. He's first bent on preventing Californians taking part in a free
election and then determined to cause maximum disruption in its aftermath. To provide a
further, sharply topical note, cynical agents of the American government blackmail Elena
by threatening to blow her husband's cover. For this act, they pay a heavy price, as,
indeed, their equivalents in the present-day 'Plamegate' affair in Washington may well do.
It's all a lot of fun, if at times a trifle haphazard, and marred only by a protracted,
old-fashioned drunken scene involving Alejandro. Zeta-Jones is a lively heroine and
Banderas a likable hero, though he's at his most impressive and dignified when wearing a
mask. He truly seems to have his roots among the people and well deserves to be looked up
to by the cheering crowds of peasants or peons of praise as they are called in this vale
of Zorro's.
Campbell is served well by, among others, his Latin-American production designer,
Cecilia Montiel, and his British cameraman, Phil Meheux, who, as 'Philip Meheux', makes a
brief appearance as a British aristocrat who dissociates himself from the villain's
nefarious schemes.
The New York Times Online
October 28, 2005
http://movies2.nytimes.com
MOVIE REVIEW | 'THE LEGEND OF ZORRO'
Off to Save America With Cape and Mask
By STEPHEN HOLDEN
The trouble with sequels is that most are obliged to outperform their forerunners in the
most obvious ways. Bigger, faster and more spectacular is usually the rule. Strenuously
applied to "The Legend of Zorro," the sequel to the 1998 blockbuster "The
Mask of Zorro," that rule translates into busier, sloppier, less coherent and more
frantic. Subtlety is out the window.
This fitfully entertaining mess of a movie was directed by Martin Campbell from a
screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Especially in its jampacked final 45
minutes, it leaps off the precipice like the rider who jumps (Zorro himself) from a ledge
onto a speeding train that disperses a crowd as it races toward a tunnel. It's all
accomplished by brazen cut-away editing. Beyond the breakneck velocity of that editing,
which generates its own momentum, little suspense is sustained; speed rules, but the pace
is hectic and haranguing. All the while, James Horner's stampeding pseudo-Spanish score
huffs and puffs, working overtime to conjure a bullfighters' marathon.
"The Legend of Zorro" brings back Antonio Banderas, looking considerably older
and in some shots haggard and flabby, as Don Alejandro de la Vega and his alter ego,
Zorro, the original caped crusader, invented by Johnston McCulley in a 1919 novel. The
voluptuous Catherine Zeta-Jones returns as his buxom wife, Elena, a 21st-century Hedy
Lamarr, who smolders even in repose.
In this sequel-ready episode, the fun couple come apart at the beginning of the story,
then reconnect just in time to save the still-expanding United States of America from
falling into the hands of Confederate villains armed with a new secret weapon,
nitroglycerin disguised as soap; California's statehood also hangs in the balance.
This fantasy of American history, of course, is utterly bogus in the same way that the
history trotted out in a movie like "National Treasure" is fiction. But, hey!
This is just a rootin'-tootin' daydream of the Old West, a heck of a yarn whose
relationship to reality is at best tangential.
"The Legend of Zorro" could be dubbed the family edition of the myth, since the
fun couple have spawned a son, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso), who at 10 is already a fearless
action hero who affects the course of American history. The unfortunate actor playing
Joaquin has mouthfuls of cutesy pseudo-tough-guy dialogue that comes out sounding strained
and affected. Look out, however, for Mr. Alonso, or for some other soon-to-be adolescent,
to take over the franchise if it is to be picked up for further episodes, which is
probably not a good idea.
Like "National Treasure," "The Legend of Zorro" throws in a large
pinch of the occult. It imagines that in 1850, when California was just becoming the 31st
state of the Union, a mysterious secret Spanish fraternity, the knights of Aragon, was
scheming to rule the world through its agent, the evil Count Armand (Rufus
Sewell), a school friend of Elena's. To Don Alejandro's chagrin, Elena seems willing to
become Armand's new trophy wife.
Early in the story, the count celebrates the opening of a fancy winery that doubles as a
front for his assembly line of explosives. Not even in the ritziest corners of Napa wine
country have you seen a crowd as delirious or pyrotechnics as excessive as the fireworks
bursting around Armand's mansion like explosive frosting on a wedding cake.
Unlike most his-and-hers action teams, Mr. Banderas and Ms. Zeta-Jones enjoy combustible
chemistry; in a couple of backbending clinches they munch hungrily on each other's mouths,
and Ms. Zeta-Jones seems genuinely dazed with desire when she comes up for air. Their
chemistry notwithstanding, neither star is required to act beyond putting on a few stock
grimaces. All Mr. Banderas has to do is to direct thunderous scowls in the direction of
this or that villain. Ms. Zeta-Jones's principal task (particularly when wearing pearls)
is to embody fleshy sultriness and to express mild indignation when vexed.
This is a hiss-the-villain, cheer-the-hero kind of movie. The slimiest of several bad guys
is Armand's election-stealing, land-grabbing, cackling henchman, Jacob McGivens (Nick
Chinlund), a grinning fiend with removable brown teeth and a hideous scar. His comically
exaggerated caricature of evil embodies the collapse of the franchise that originally
embraced and sent up clichés with a knowing sense of humor and a hint of subtlety. No
longer.
"The Legend of Zorro" is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested). It has comic
violence and some strong language.
Directed by Martin Campbell; written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, based on a story
by Mr. Orci, Mr. Kurtzman, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio; director of photography, Phil
Meheux; edited by Stuart Baird; music by James Horner; production designer, Cecilia
Montiel; produced by Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald and Lloyd Phillips; released by
Columbia Pictures. Running time: 126 minutes.
WITH: Antonio Banderas (Zorro/Alejandro), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Elena), Rufus
Sewell (Armand), Nick Chinlund (Jacob McGivens), Julio Oscar Mechoso (Frey
Felipe), Shuler Hensley (Pike), Michael Emerson (Harrigan) and Adrian Alonso (Joaquin).
May 3, 2005
 
 
 
Special thanks to Ukelelehip for the screencaps
from the trailer!
View the trailer
for "The Legend of Zorro" from Sony Pictures
http://www.sony.com/zorro
Spotlighting News - Bucharest, Romania
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
http://www.spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=553
... When these angry tyrants come with plans of their
own, Zorro(Antonio Banderas) is called upon to save the day against his new nemesis,
Armand (Rufus Sewell). ...
Antonio Banderas And Catherine Zeta-Jones Are In Paris Promoting Their Latest Film
The two celebrities could have been seen in Paris on
Monday posing to promote their latest movie,"The Legend of Zorro". All this is
part of the promotion tour of what is expected to be another box-office hit.
The plot starts six years after the last Zorro (starring
movie legend Anthony Hopkins) film. Now, he's back with an all new installment where he
has been quietly settling with his own family in San francisco.
His little boy, Jouqauin, is now 10 years old and remembers
nothing of his father's secret life. When these angry tyrants come with plans of their
own, Zorro(Antonio Banderas) is called upon to save the day against his new nemesis, Armand (Rufus Sewell).
Also, Elena(Catherine Zeta-Jones) will be
in mask as the try aspiring wife and new partner of Zorro.
The film will be realeased in cinemas all over the world
starting October the 28th.
thanks, Rai!
Empire online film reviews
May 4, 2005
It’s been seven long years since The Mask of Zorro
graced our screen. While pirates and Puss-In-Boots have done their best to fill the vast,
swashbuckling-shaped gap in our hearts, they’ve lacked either the Spanish accent or
stylish mask that distinguishes the one, the only, the legendary Zorro. But soft! What
light from yonder trailer breaks? It is the all-fencing, all-horseriding sequel, and you
can see it here.
The year is now 1850, making it about ten years on from the original film (Empire
estimate). Zorro (Antonio Banderas) has promised his wife, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) to
give up his masked adventuring and live a safe and normal life. As anyone who ever watched
a superhero film will know, however, this never works, and soon a new threat emerges that
sees Zorro running back to cloak, hat and rapier.
The trailer is heavy on the action, as you’d expect. The derring-do appears to be
entirely present and correct, with all the boxes ticked off. Swinging about on a rope and
dangerous horseplay on rather rickety-looking scaffolding? Check. Barely surviving an
explosion? Check. Sword fights and fisticuffs and flying through windows fist-first?
Check. The highlight, however, promises to be a train sequence which, as well as featuring
the traditional hanging-off-the-side and jumping-between-carriages bits, also stars a
horse rearing on a train’s roof. Surely this must vie with the fire-breathing horse
in Batman Begins for equestrian movie moment of the year.
So far, so back to the strengths of the original – lots of tongue-in-cheek action,
humour and Antonio swirling that gorgeous Malagueño accent around as the villain twirled
his moustache (well, practically). This time, Rufus Sewell
is back on baddie duties, which is fine, and CZJ returns to her best role
to date. But there is a problem – yes, ladies and gentlemen, there’s a kid. For
lo, if your heroine isn’t disposable and she doesn’t end up dead, then shall
there be an annoying moppet in the sequel. We’re hoping that Zorro can escape the
Curse of The Mummy Returns but the jury’s out on that for now.
http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/newsstory.asp?news_id=16761
thanks, Nadine!!!
The Legend of Zorro
Release Date: 11/28/2005
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rufus Sewell,
Anthony Hopkins, Nick Chinlund
The year is 1850 and our swashbuckling crusader is challenged by the most dangerous
mission of his life.
After fighting to help California become the 31st state of the Union, Zorro (Banderas)
must live up to the promise he made his wife Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) — to give
up his secret identity and live a normal life as Alejandro de la Vega. When he hesitates,
it threatens to tear them apart.
Now, the same forces that conspired to keep California from becoming part of the United
States are plotting to unleash a threat that has been 500 years in the making, a threat
that could change the course of history forever http://www.atnzone.com/moviezone/guides/browse.php?&b=10&c=10
17 December
2004
By SOPHIE NEVILLE
Wellington's Weta Workshop has landed a top project on big-budget
Hollywood movie The Legend of Zorro, but the film's leading stars are staying home.
The Miramar special effects studio, responsible for special effects in The Lord of the
Rings trilogy, will start work on The Legend, the sequel to The Mask of Zorro, next month.
Four-time Oscar winner Richard Taylor will
guide the work on the multimillion-dollar film, which already has a Kiwi connection.
Director Martin Campbell and producer Lloyd Phillips both come from New Zealand. Steven
Spielberg is the executive producer.
"We will be making the final elements
of the film, like action sequence and scenic shots. It's very exciting work," Taylor
said yesterday.
A team of 12 Weta technicians have spent
the past seven months creating miniature sets where most of the filming would be done, and
the project had been a closely guarded secret.
The movie will open worldwide in September
2005. It reunites Mask stars Antonio Banderas as the swashbuckling Alejandro
"Zorro" Murrieta and Catherine Zeta-Jones as his wife, Elena.
Anthony Hopkins, in New Zealand filming The
World's Fastest Indian, reprises his role as Don Diego, and Rufus Sewell, on New Zealand
television recently as the womanising Charles II, is expected to excel as the sleazy
French aristocrat, Count Armand.
Banderas originally turned the project
down, despite reports he would be getting close to $US25 million (NZ$34.8 million).
Understood to have an $US80 million budget,
The Legend is expected to pull more than $US200 million at the global box office.
Taylor said yesterday he was delighted to
be approached by Columbia Pictures to work on Zorro. It was "hugely gratifying"
that big international film companies trusted Weta with their projects.
"It's really lovely for us to be
getting work from outside New Zealand. It's terrific that they have the confidence in the
New Zealand effects fraternity."
Though it would have been nice to meet
Banderas and Zeta-Jones, most of the movie had already been filmed in Mexico, he said.
"The best thing is Martin and Lloyd
are coming out to be with us."
Filming would start in January and was
expected to take three weeks.
The Legend Of Zorro To Shoot In New Zealand
Thursday, 16 December 2004, 2:21 pm
Press Release: Legend Of Zorro |
Thu, 16 Dec 2004
The Legend Of Zorro To Shoot - Second Unit In New Zealand
Culver City, CA. December 13, 2004. - Production on
Columbia Pictures' The Legend of Zorro will move to New Zealand in January for three weeks
of second unit photography, it was announced today by producer Lloyd Phillips and director
Martin Campbell, both of whom are Kiwi natives.
The sequences will be shot at Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop
and overseen by four-time Oscar® winning special effects expert Richard Taylor (The Lord
of the Rings trilogy, Master and Commander, Heavenly Creatures and the upcoming King
Kong).
"We are thrilled and excited to be working with
Jackson's company and a master like Richard Taylor for this very special sequence,"
said Phillips.
"In just a few short years, New Zealand has jumped
into the forefront both as a filmmaking destination and I couldn't be more proud,"
added Campbell..
The Legend of Zorro focuses on the continuing romantic
adventures of the swashbuckling masked hero who champions the rights of the exploited by
avenging the wrongs committed against them. Multi-Golden Globe Award-nominee Antonio
Banderas (Shrek 2) and Academy Award®-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago, Ocean's 12)
are reunited with director Campbell (The Mask of Zorro, Vertical Limit) in another
action-packed picaresque escapade set in the California territory in the critical days
preceding statehood. Rufus Sewell (A Knight's Tale) and Nick Chinlund (Chronicles Of
Riddick) also star. The screenplay is by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman from a story by
Ted Elliott and Terry Rossi.
The Legend of Zorro is set several years after the
conclusion of the previous adventure. Alejandro (Banderas) and Elena (Zeta-Jones) are
married and have a ten-year-old son, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). Though Alejandro continues
to don the mask of Zorro to protect the poor and oppressed residents of the California
territory from the greed of the overlords, he has not told his son about his dynamic
alter-ego. But that all changes since plans for California to become the 31st state are
being undermined by a nefarious plot by several prominent land-barons and businessmen.
Zorro's valiant attempt to foil their plans runs headlong into a personal crisis that
threatens the safety of his family.
Also returning to The Legend of Zorro are executive
producer Steven Spielberg, producers Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald and Lloyd Phillips,
director of photography Phil Meheux, BSC, production designer Cecilia Montiel and costume
designer Graciela Mazon. Joining them are executive producers Gary Barber and Roger
Birnbaum (The Sixth Sense, Seabiscuit), editor Stuart Baird (Maverick), stunt coordinator
Gary Powell (Oliver Stone's Alexander), special effects supervisor Bruce Steinheimer
(Martin Scorsese's The Aviator) and visual effects supervisor Kent Houston (the upcoming
The Brothers Grimm).
The Legend of Zorro was filmed entirely in Mexico in and
around San Luis Potosi, a city centered on a high desert plateau about 300 miles northwest
of Mexico City. One of the most prominent locations is the Gogorrón Hacienda, about 25
miles outside of San Luis Potosi. Columbia Pictures will release The Legend of Zorro in
2005.
World of Zorro- Zorro 2
http://worldofzorro.de/html/zorro_ii.html
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Rufus
Sewell, a British actor who has appeared in such films as A Knight's Tale and
Dark City, has signed to play alongside Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones for
Legend of Zorro, the sequel to Mask of Zorro. Sewell will play Armand, Zorro's rival for
the attentions of Elena (Zeta-Jones). The sequel will be directed by Martin Campbell, who
also helmed the first film.
________________________________________ |
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photos from the set of The Legend of Zorro
thanks for the link, Nadine!
Columbia/Tristar Pictures
August 10, 2004
Rufus Sewell in the role of enemy number one of Zorro
Spanish:
Rufus Sewell en el papel de enemigo número uno del Zorro El actor inglés
Rufus Sewell participa del elenco de la secuencia del hit mundial de Columbia Pictures
"The Mask of the Zorro". En la segunda película, dirigida por Maritin Campbell,
Rufus va a compartir créditos con los protagonistas Antonio Banderas y Catherine
Zeta-Jones. Hará el papel de Armand, enemigo número uno del Zorro, que intenta robar de
Alejandro Murrieta (Banderas) el amor de Elena (Catherine). Rufus Sewell protagonizó al
lado de Heath Ledger el éxito del 2001 "A Knights Tale" también de Columbia.
"The Legend of Zorro" esta siendo grabada en México y llegará a los cines en
el 2005.
Rough English translation:
Rufus Sewell in the paper of enemy number one of the Fox English actor Rufus Sewell
participates in elenco of the sequence of hit world-wide of Columbia Pictures "The
Mask of the Zorro". In the second film, directed by Maritin Campbell, Rufus is going
to share credits with the protagonists Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It will
play the role of Armand, enemy number one of the Fox, that tries to rob of Alexander
Murrieta (Flags) the love of Elena (Catherine). Rufus Sewell carried out next to Heath
Ledger the success of the 2001 "A Knights Tale" also of Columbia. "The
Legend of Zorro" this being recorded in Mexico and will arrive at the cinemas in the
2005.
http://www.columbiatristar.com.mx/cinema/SPEMasterController
Servlet?pageId=News&contentId=3360
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Photos courtesy of KC: Banderas-Mall.com
http://www.banderas-mall.com
Cinescape Movies
July 27, 2004
Movie
News
ZORRO finds a romantic rival
http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_
cat=Movies&action=page&type_id=&cat_id=270338&obj_id=42170
Rufus Sewell (DARK CITY, A KNIGHT'S TALE) has
joined the cast of THE LEGEND OF ZORRO. The dark-haired actor will play Armand, a
love interest for the character of Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones' character) and thus a
rival for her attention for the masked swordsman.
In related business news, Spyglass Entertainment will
co-finance THE LEGEND OF ZORRO with Columbia Pictures, giving Spyglass the
international rights for the movie. The company is also co-financing MEMOIRS OF A
GEISHA to be directed by Rob Marshall (CHICAGO).
Rufus Sewell Aboard Zorro Sequel
Source: The Hollywood Reporter - Sunday, July 25, 2004
British actor Rufus Sewell is joining the cast of Columbia Pictures' "The
Legend of Zorro", says The Hollywood Reporter.
Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are reuniting with director Martin Campbell for
The Mask of Zorro sequel. Sewell portrays Armand, Zorro's rival for the affection
of Elena (Zeta-Jones).
Sewell's credits include A Knight's Tale and Tristan and Isolde.
thanks, Rai
Filmforce.com
July 27, 2004
Sewell in Zorro Sequel
Legend of Zorro casting.
http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/533/533326p1.html?fromint=1
July 27, 2004 - British actor Rufus Sewell (Dark City, A Knight's Tale)
has been cast in the Mask of Zorro sequel, according to today's Hollywood
Reporter. The film, which is ramping up for a Mexico-based shoot, is now
reportedly titled The
Legend of Zorro.The trade adds that Sewell will portray Armand, a character
described as "Zorro's rival for the affection of Elena." All of the principle
cast from the first film is returning with director Martin Campbell once again taking the
helm. "The script is fantastic," star Antonio Banderas recently revealed.
"Everyone will be back - [executive producer] Steven
Spielberg, director Martin Campbell, Catherine Zeta-Jones."Sir Anthony
Hopkins will even be back as Don Diego de la Vega, even though his character
perished in The Mask
of Zorro. "He has a lot more to tell me. It has a supernatural
element," said Banderas.
Last we heard, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio had written the
screenplay. The story, which is mostly being kept under wraps, features Elena doing some
swashbuckling of her own. Director Campbell says, "[Catherine Zeta-Jones] will
have a great role. Her character will definitely be on par with Antonio's this time.
... This is much more than your typical sequel. It's a full-out new film that uses
the same two central characters."
The Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386140/
Legend of Zorro (2005)
Martin Campbell
Alex Kurtzman (screenplay)
Roberto Orci (screenplay)
Production Notes/Status:
| Status: |
Pre-production |
| Comments: |
Principal photography starts July 26th |
The Movie Insider
http://movies.themovieinsider.com/?mid=230
The Legend of
Zorro (2005)
Production Year: 2005
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rufus Sewell, and Anthony Hopkins.
Director: Martin Campbell
Screenwriter: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci
Distributor:
Sony Pictures
Genres:
Action/Adventure, Romance, Sequel
Theatrical Release Date: TBA, 2005
Synopsis: It's not yet known what shape the story
for this sequel to 1998's The Mask of Zorro will take, but it will certainly follow
Zorro, played again by Antonio Banderas, further in his quest for all things heroic.
25 July 2004
VARIETY Jill
Feiwell, STAFF
Rufus Sewell ("A Knight's Tale")
has been tapped for a role in "The Legend of Zorro" at Sony.
The Brit actor joins Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins in the
"Mask of Zorro" sequel, penned by "Alias" hyphenates
Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Martin Campbell again directs.
Filming is skedded to start this week in Mexico.
Next up for Sewell is actioner "Tristan and Isolde," produced
by Ridley Scott
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