Computer-generated images and effects (CGI) are now part of everyday life in the film business and are often indistinguishably interwoven with real footage. Directing legend Steven Spielberg predicted this trend back in the last millennium, as Antonio Banderas recalls on the anniversary of his great adventure film. Our international sister site Adoro Cinema has taken up the story behind it again.
Steven Spielberg as a clairvoyant: The director predicted a film turnaround for The Mask of Zorro
The Mask of Zorro was released in 1998 as a big adventure hit, which, according to Box Office Mojo, managed to earn $250 million from its $95 million budget. The film by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) not only brought further international stardom to lead actor Antonio Banderas as the masked avenger, but was also supported by Steven Spielberg as executive producer. On the 25th anniversary, Banderas recalled a conversation with the master director to Yahoo, in which he gave his Zorro insights into future work with CGI:
Columbia Tri-Star
The Mask of Zorro
Steven Spielberg once said to me during filming: ‘This will probably be the last Western that will be filmed the way Westerns used to be filmed – with real scenes, real horses, where everything is real. Sword fights and no CGI.‘ Everything happened with practical effects.And he said: ‘But things will change. And quickly. So you should be proud of this film.’ And I am, probably even more so now than when it was made. […] It was a beautiful adventure film with many ingredients that made it shine. I have nothing but good memories.
Spielberg was right. The adventure sequel The Legend of Zorro in 2005 was filmed differently and no longer had the same impact as part 1.
Meanwhile, the character of Zorro lives on in TV series. A new movie has also been discussed for some time. But even if the repeatedly delayed project does come to fruition at some point, it will certainly rely on computer-generated images, as is now common practice.
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