On the Big Board |
Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
43/166 |
David Mumpower |
The magic is to large extent recaptured. It doesn't match the original, but still qualifies as a worthy sequel. |
57/60 |
Les Winan |
Such nice production values for a TV movie. |
Swashbuckling never goes out of style. Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are scheduled to reprise their roles, along with Sir Anthony Hopkins, from the 1998 hit The Mask of Zorro. With the first film making almost $100 million in the United States and another $100 million worldwide you would think the studio would have pushed a little harder to get this picture done.
Banderas returns as the savior of the Mexican people, Zorro. The swashbuckling crusader just got his feet wet in the first film and this one plans to show his growth as a hero of the people. Rumors about the script indicate that we’ll see Zeta-Jones get involved a bit more in the swordplay herself.
Ever wonder what the term “development hell” means? This movie is a good example of it. The first film was released in 1998 during a time when a lot of other blockbusters were coming out. Among the competition were movies such as Saving Private Ryan, Armageddon, Lethal Weapon 4, and There’s Something About Mary. But this movie held its own and actually knocked There’s Something About Mary from its number one spot.
In May of 2000, Banderas was interviewed on Entertainment Tonight and said that he was planning on shooting the sequel in February 2001. Due to scheduling difficulties, that never happened. The studio then planned to shoot in 2002 – again, this was a “no go." Banderas then dropped out of the picture only to later come back on board in 2003. It has been a troubled project from the start, but it looks like this time it will finally come together. Keep your fingers crossed. (Marty Doskins/BOP)
Comparison films for Legend of Zorro |
Title |
Date |
Opening |
Adjusted Opening |
Screens |
PSA |
Adj PSA |
Total BO |
Adjusted Total |
Mult |
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over |
7/25/03 | 33.42 |
33.42 |
3344 |
9993.00 |
9993.0 |
111.76 |
111.76 |
0.00 |
Once Upon a Time in Mexico |
9/12/03 | 23.42 |
23.42 |
3282 |
7137.00 |
7137.0 |
55.85 |
55.85 |
2.38 |
Mask of Zorro |
7/17/98 | 22.53 |
28.96 |
2515 |
8958.00 |
11078.1 |
93.83 |
120.63 |
4.16 |
Intolerable Cruelty |
10/10/03 | 12.53 |
12.53 |
2564 |
4885.00 |
4885.0 |
35.10 |
35.10 |
2.80 |
Chicago |
2/7/03 | 10.79 |
10.79 |
1841 |
5859.00 |
5859.0 |
170.68 |
170.68 |
10.94 |
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