Cveintiuno.
By Pina Mezzera
March 20, 2024
[Jean Dujardin interprets Zorro in the French series]
The streaming platform Paramount+ and the French broadcaster France Télévision have given the green light to the fictional series 'Zorro', inspired by the character Diego de la Vega, in this case a French production starring Jean Dujardin.
The news comes two months after Amazon Prime Video premiered 'Zorro' in the United States, Latin America, Spain and Portugal, a Spanish production by Secuoya Studios and distributed internationally by the French company Mediawan Rights.
The Spanish series, whose 10 episodes cost US$42 million, was also sold to RTVE in Spain, M6 Groupe in France, Mediaset in Italy, TVM in Belgium and RTL in Hungary.
The new version of the classic created in 1919 by Johnston McCulley will be available at the end of 2024 on Paramount+ in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Latin America.
In France it will then be seen on France Télévision, and its distribution arm France TV Distribution handles sales for the rest of the world.
The launch of an original French production is a rather unique case for Paramount+, in a context of cuts in international original orders for the American streamer. In January, Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish said the company would reduce its investment in international content to focus on “Hollywood hits.” Days later it was learned that Maria Kyriacou, president of Broadcast and Studios for Paramount's international markets, was leaving the company.
The French 'Zorro' will have eight 40-minute episodes and is a co-production between Paramount+, France Télévisions, Le Collectif 64 (Marc Dujardin) and Bien Sûr Productions (Julien Seul).
It is created by Benjamin Charbit ('Under Control', 'The Trouble with You') and Noé Debré ('Parliament', 'Dheepan'), who wrote the script together with Emmanuel Poulain-Arnaud ('The Test'). The direction is by Jean-Baptiste Saurel ('Parallels') and Emilie Noblet ('Parliament').
In addition to the protagonist Dujardin, the fiction has Audrey Dana, Salvatore Ficarra, André Dussolier, Eric Elmosnino and Grégory Gadebois in its cast.
The synopsis of the project is set in 1821, when Don Diego de la Vega becomes mayor of Los Angeles to improve his city. However, the greed of a local businessman, Don Emmanuel, puts the well-being at risk and his powers as mayor are not enough to fight injustice.
Although he hasn't used Zorro's identity from him in 20 years, it seems that Diego has no choice but to bring Zorro back for the greater good. While he tries to maintain his dual identity as Zorro and mayor, tensions grow in his marriage to Gabriella, who is unaware of his secret. Can Diego save his marriage and his sanity in the midst of chaos?
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