Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The filmmaking process in Hollywood has evolved drastically over the past few decades, a fact underscored by Antonio Banderas as he reflected on insights from producer, Steven Spielberg, during the making of the 1998 action-adventure hit,The Mask of Zorro.Directed by Martin Campbell and starring Banderas in the lead role,The Mask of Zorrowas a hit.
Spielberg, who served as the producer of the film, discussed the evolving landscape of filmmaking with the movie star, suggesting thatThe Mask of Zorrowould likely be one of the final movies to significantly rely on practical effects.
Steven Spielberg’s Prescient Insight to Antonio Banderas
Celebrating the 25th anniversary ofThe Mask of Zorro,Antonio Banderasreflected on a memorable conversation he had with the film’s producer, Steven Spielberg. He shared that the filmmaker had offered him a piece of advice, that has since proved to be prophetic.
He toldYahoo Entertainment,
Steven Spielberg said to me once when we were shooting, ‘This is probably going to be one of the last Westerns shot in the way the Westerns were shot in the old days, with real scenes with real horses, where everything is real.
He noted that it would likely be the one of the last of its kind, a Western film made with practical effects before the widespread use of CGI in movies.“But things are going to change. they’re going to change and they’re gonna change fast,”Spielberg told theSpy Kidsactor.
He further stated,“And so you should be proud of this movie.”The 63-year-old actor has admitted that he is indeed proud of the film, not only for its use of practical effects but for its overall impact.
“How the hell are we going to write this?”: Steven Spielberg’s Band of Brothers Had to Think Out of the Box for 1 Episode That Was Almost Impossible to Depict on TV
“It was a very beautiful adventure movie with a lot of ingredients that made it shine,”he said while stating that he has nothing but good memories about the film, which marked a significant turn in his career, making him a leading man in movie theaters.
Antonio Banderas Reflected on Career Milestone withThe Mask of Zorro
During his conversation with Yahoo Entertainment, he also reflected on his career and how his journey in the film industry has evolved over the years. Banderas acknowledged his initial collaborations with Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almódovar, noting that these films defined his career at the time.
However, it was the 1998 filmThe Mask of Zorrothat solidified his status as a leading man on the global stage.“It was very significant because my career up to that point was [mostly] European movies,”he said.
And suddenly I got into a completely different universe, a universe of action, a universe of international movies that went all around the world. It was unbelievable… it was such a huge success.
The Mask of Zorrofeatured Banderas as a bandit, who joins Don Diego de la Vega as they seek revenge on Las Californias’ corrupt governor Montero. The film was a commercial and critical hit, prompting a sequel, with Banderas reprising his role.
The filmmaker also shared that there are discussions regarding a third installment in the film series.“I’ve had people approaching with different ideas,”he said as he discussed the potential plot of the film, suggesting that he would take on the role of the mentor in the possible third installment.
“I could never solve when I read it”: Steven Spielberg Had No Luck Finding the Answer to 1 Mystery in Schindler’s List That Never Needs to be Answered
However, despite the uncertainty of another Zorro movie happening, Banderas expresses contentment with his previous contributions to the franchise.
The Mask of ZorroandThe Legend of Zorroare available to stream on Prime Video.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3447
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
