Zorro: Generation Z

TV Kids Weekly, October 7, 2008

ORIGIN: Based on the iconic Zorro character—created by Johnston McCulley—which has featured in a variety of major movies, TV series and publications over the past 80 years.

CREATOR: The concept for Zorro: Generation Z was developed by Rick Ungar.

DISTRIBUTOR: BKN International

TV SHOW: Season one consists of 26 22-minute episodes in 2-D animation. Season two is 26 22-minute episodes in HD animation. There are also two movies: Zorro: Return to the Future (1×1 hour) and Zorro and Scarlet Whip: Revealed! (1×72 min.)

DESCRIPTION: Diego de la Vega is a modern-day young man entering his first year at University. Diego is a descendant of Zorro’s past who has reason to once again pick up the mantle when the city of his birth grows increasingly corrupt.

Being a Zorro of today means no longer riding a horse. Instead, Zorro fights crime on a very cool purple motorcycle called the Tornado-Z. His crime fighting tools include a Z-Pod, Z-Phone and other surprises befitting of a modern-day hero. Expect new renditions of established Zorro characters along with some new additions, including a fellow female freshman, the Scarlet Whip.

The series features action, adventure, fast motorcycles and one of the most enduring and legendary heroes of all time. It reflects the melding of an historic legend with powers, high-tech gadgetry and vehicles of the modern-day superhero as the all-new El Zorro rides again.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Rick Ungar and Allen Bohbot

MAIN BROADCASTER: Mediaset

TV SALES: FOXTEL’s Fox8 in Australia; Telemundo in the U.S.; Record TV in Brazil; TV7 in Bulgaria; Megavision in Chile; Star TV in Greece; ATV in Hong Kong; LNT in Latvia; RTM in Malaysia; TV Azteca in Mexico; MBC and Falcon Films in the Middle East; ABS-CBN in the Philippines; CTC in Russia; South Africa’s SABC; Clan TV/Telecinco in Spain; TMC in Turkey; Pop TV in the U.K. and Ireland; Fairmead in Africa; Kalinas Filmcilik in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; Dexy Co. in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia; Millenium Trading in Romania and Nhat Ang in Vietnam.

MAJOR TOY LICENSEE: Gulliver Toys in Brazil has been appointed master toy manufacturer with global manufacturing rights and distribution rights only for Brazil.

OTHER PRODUCTS: Other Zorro: Generation Z merchandise being developed includes apparel, footwear, bags and luggage, headwear and accessories, back-to-school products, jigsaw puzzles, board games, race-track sets, dress-up outfits, bed linen and towels, stationery, luggage and confectionery.

STRATEGY FOR ROLLOUT: Broadcast has already begun in Spain on two platforms: “Telecinco where it generated solid audience ratings and Clan TV, where it is the number two show on the channel,” says Laura Tapias, the managing director of BKN New Media in Barcelona.

Other international networks launching the show this fall include Fox8 in Australia, SABC1 in South Africa, CTC in Russia and Brazil’s Record TV, with Telemundo in the U.S. to follow in early 2009.

On the merchandising front, “the first toy product range will hit shelves early 2009,” Tapias says, inspired by Zorro’s new gadgets and Z Laser Weapon. “An extensive list of licensees have already been appointed in Spain and Brazil. Toy distribution will begin early 2009 and the other product categories will be launched simultaneously or shortly afterwards. This strategy will be repeated in each territory as and when the broadcast rolls out and the series establishes itself with the consumer.”