AceShowbiz -

Gael Garcia Bernal is the new masked vigilante. The Mexican actor is cast in the reboot of Zorro, titled "Z", which will reunite him with "Desierto" helmer Jonas Cuaron.

Bernal's name has actually been mentioned as the potential actor to portray the titular character since the project was announced in 2012. Written by Glenn Gers, Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy, the film was called "Zorro Reborn" at that time and had Bryan Singer and Ricardo de Montreuil linked to the role of director.

The project has taken a new turn. Cuaron is not only directing but also writing the script. It re-imagines the classic story based on the masked swashbuckler. The character, created by Johnston McCulley in 1919, will take on tyrants in a world set in the near future.

Filming would start this fall at Pinewood Dominican Republic studios, Deadline reported. Lantica Pictures and Mark Amin's Sobini Films will co-produce the film and will present it to buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

"I have always loved Gael for this role," Amin told Deadline. "Zorro is a hero who is charming, witty and clever. Gael possesses all those characteristic and he's able to deliver them with a modern spin to introduce the Zorro character to a new audience."