MOVIE NEWS – Gravity co-writer Jonás Cuarón had come aboard to write and direct not long ago a new Zorro reboot, just titled Z, which will be produced by Lantica Media and Sobini Films. Today, we learned that the filmmaker has found the main character in Gael Garcia Bernal, who starred in the director’s new film Desierto, scheduled for release sometime later this year. Production on Z is being eyed to start this fall at Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios.

Deadline also writes that the project will be financed by Lantica Media and sold to international distributors by Pantelion Films at the upcoming Cannes film market. While no specific details were given, this report reveals that the story is set shortly and offers a re-imagined take on the iconic character.

“I have always loved Gael for this role. Zorro is a hero who is charming, witty and smart. Gael possesses all those characteristic, and he’s able to deliver them with a modern spin to introduce the Zorro character to a new audience,” told producer Mark Amin.

Mark Amin will produce through his Sobini Films company, with Cami Winikoff serving as an executive producer. It isn’t known if a release date has been targeted quite yet. The project has been in development for some years, initially titled Zorro Reborn, with pre-visualization specialist Rpin Suwannath set to make his directing debut way back in 2011. Gael Garcia Bernal was actually in talks to star in 2012 when the reboot was set up at 20th Century Fox. But that incarnation of the swashbuckling adventure never got off the ground.

Gael Garcia Bernal most recently starred in the Amazon Studios series Mozart in the Jungle, along with the upcoming Desierto. He also stars in the upcoming releases Neruda and Salt and Fire, with later of which has a cast that also includes Michael Shannon and Werner Herzog. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more updates on this Zorro reboot Z as soon as more casting or plot details are released.