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?
