The Mask of Zorro
The director of two James Bond dealership films recalls the timeSteven Spielbergconvinced him he should make what rise to be a $ 250 million enfranchisement picture , even though he ’d already turned the job down on three occasion . Martin Campbell became a sought - after activeness director thanks to his body of work onGoldeneye , the 1995 Pierce Brosnan Bond movie , which grossed $ 356 million worldwide .
Campbell would later go on to point a second hamper film inCasino Royale , which was an even bigger hit , grossing $ 616 million ( and rumors have him also manoeuver the upcomingBond 26 ) . In between those two 007 picture , Campbell tackled a different action - packed genre film and its continuation , following up hisGoldeneyesuccess by working with producer Spielberg in bringing another iconic picture show character back to screens .
Campbell Says He Turned Down The Mask Of Zorro Three Times Before Spielberg Talked Him Into It
The 1998 Movie Starred Antonio Banderas As The Famed Masked Swordsman
block out crusader Zorro set about as a literary creation , later becoming a darling silent picture show character thanks to Douglas Fairbanks , and in 1998’sThe Mask of Zorro , a modern - day action at law hero as embodied by Antonio Banderas . budget at $ 95 million , the Campbell - directed action celluloid went on to become a surprise hit , gross $ 250 million at the worldwide box office and breed a 2005 continuation , The Legend of Zorro .
The Legend of Zorrowas a disappointment , grossing just $ 142 million on a budget of $ 75 million .
The Mask of Zorroindeed proved a blessing to Campbell ’s career , but the director says he ab initio turn down the film , and would have go on turning it down had manufacturer Spielberg not convinced him to deepen his nous ( viaVariety ) .
Campbell first lecture about the movie ’s original director , Robert Rodriguez , and why budgetary concerns cleared the way for someone else to directZorro :
The sarcasm is I sprain down “ Zorro ” three prison term . The reason was that Robert Rodriguez was originally going to lead that movie . He back out because of budget reason … I consider he had a budget of $ 47 million , and he just said he did n’t have enough . And they asked me three times to do it , and I turn over it down three time .
Campbell excuse why he was loth to directThe Mask of Zorro , and says he still had mistrust after undermine in and taking the fizgig , despite receiving flattery from Spielberg :
Image via TriStar
I did n’t like the playscript , even though the story was solid . Anyway , to shorten a long story myopic , Steven Spielberg rang me and made me sound like the second coming , and I fall for it and I hold to do it . And the night I actually accepted , I sat with my agent in a restaurant and my lawyer with my head in my hands saying , “ This is the worst mistake I ’ve ever made doing this picture . I should never have said yes . ”
Campbell relates how the motion picture came together despite his concerns , thanks in large part to a new script :
Somehow we got other author and so forth , but it was a movie that [ TriStar Pictures ’ then - prexy John ] Calley , who took over from Mark Canton at the time halfway through pre - yield , did n’t care the concept at all . He had a shopping list of why he did n’t want to do it because he had inherited it , and because he was my knob on “ GoldenEye , ” there was sort of radio silence for 10 days , and we got green lit .
Campbell wondered why Calley want to do the movie , and received an interesting explanation :
And I said to him , “ Why the hell did you gullible light this flick ? ” And he said , “ Well , even if it ’s a wiener , I can get $ 45 million foreign on this thing . ” That was the conversation , and we went ahead and made it .
Our Take On Campbell Being Chosen To Direct The Mask Of Zorro
Campbell’s Film Showcased Antonio Banderas, And Broke Catherine Zeta-Jones Big
Campbell pass off fresh life-time into theBond series with hisGoldeneyedirection , finding a solid blend of action and humor , and did the same sort of deception with the similarly - tonedThe Mask of Zorro . An honest-to-goodness - fashioned escapade plastic film , Zorrogave Banderas the perfect vehicle for prove off his thoroughly - humored appeal , while providing Anthony Hopkins a playfulness , windy role as Zorro ’s mentor .
The movie ’s grownup revelation , however , was Catherine Zeta - Jones , who became a star thanks to her spirited performance as Zorro ’s spar partner ( and love pastime ) Elena . Spielberg was examine right in his inherent aptitude that Campbell was the correct theatre director forZorro , and everyone involve was favourable Rodriguez dropped the task , allowing Campbell to dangle in and make an enjoyable , erstwhile - school swashbuckler .
On the grounds of moving-picture show likeDesperadoandFrom Dusk Till Dawn , Rodriguez would have brought a much pulpier , more over - the - top smell toThe Mask of Zorro . His version might have been interesting , but likely not as hearing - pleasing - or financially successful - as the one ultimately made by Campbell , a straight - forward , competent activity director in the sure-enough Hollywood mold .
Source : Variety
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