Wilmer Valderrama will soon be marking the sign of the Z in a new ZORRO series announced today by Disney Branded Television.

The reinvention of the iconic Disney action-adventure-western series ZORRO will feature Valderrama in the capacity as both executive producing and star portraying the iconic character of Don Diego de la Vega and his dashing swashbuckling alter ego, the masked horseman named Zorro.

The series is being reimagined 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,” commented Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. She continued, “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.”

The series in development is executive-produced by Gary Marsh, outgoing president and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television, as part of his new multiyear production banner at Disney General Entertainment. John Gertz (“The Mask of Zorro,” “The Legend of Zorro”) of Zorro Productions, Inc., is also an executive producer.

Set in early California, the original “Zorro” television series followed a masked avenger, the alter ego of the mild-mannered Don Diego de la Vega, as he defended the poor and acted as the scourge of military tyrants on his black stallion, Tornado. Zorro’s trademark was the ragged “Z” symbol, which he slashed with his sword. A total of 78 original episodes aired from 1957-59. Four hour-long episodes were later filmed for airing on the Sunday night Disney television show, and episodes of the half-hour show were compiled into the theatrical features THE SIGN OF ZORRO and ZORRO THE AVENGER.

Although the series is not currently available on Disney+, the film THE SIGN OF ZORRO is currently available to stream.

See it for Yourself

The yet untitled ZORRO series is in development. Neither an official start date or even confirmation of platform for the series has yet been announced.

Image Credit: Getty Images/Rich Fury