Wilmer Valderrama cannot wait to pick up Zorro's sword.
During a stop by The Drew Barrymore Show, the That '70s Show alum gave an update on his latest TV project: Disney's live-action Zorro series. Though Wilmer is stepping into the riding boots of an iconic figure, he told host Drew Barrymore that his take on Zorro is not like the ones we've seen in the past.
"I'll tell you this: This will be a Zorro for this generation," Wilmer said of the new TV adaptation. "And it'll be incredibly thoughtful with its origin story, and it'll be grounded in authenticity."
Despite being booked and busy—Wilmer currently stars as Nick Torres on NCIS and is set to reprise his That '70s Show character Fez on That '90s Show—the actor noted that he's "up for the challenge" when it comes to this "Mount Everest" of a role.
Wilmer was first attached to the Zorro series in December 2021, and he responded by calling the opportunity "a dream come true."
"Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero," the Encanto star said in a statement. "As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility in the stories that I help bring to life."
Gary Marsh—former president of Disney Branded Television who helped launch Lizzie McGuire, High School Musical, Hannah Montana and other House of Mouse hits—is producing.
Disney's first Zorro series aired between 1957 to 1959 and starred Guy Williams. The character, which was conceived in 1919 by Johnston McCulley, has since been revived in several shows and movies, including Antonio Banderas' critically acclaimed performance in 1998's The Mask of Zorro.
Keep reading for a status update on the other reboots, remakes and reimaginings in the works!