Tom Cruise could have played Zorro. Finally, Antonio Banderas got the role

Spielberg wanted Cruise to play Zorro

This year marks 25 years since the premiere of Martin Campbell’s “The Mask of Zorro,” starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. However, the film could have been played by someone completely different.

The origins of the project go back to 1993. The director was supposed to be Danish cinematographer Mikael Salomon He is known for working with creatives such as James Cameron, Ron Howard, and Steven Spielberg. The latter was the producer of the film about Zorro and it was he who offered the main role to Tom Cruise. Among the candidates for the remaining roles: Viggo Mortensen and Sean Connery.

Of course, Banderas is a Spanish actor, not a Mexican, and Zeta-Jones is Welsh. But although Cruise’s casting made sense from a marketing standpoint, his nomination for the role of Zorro was even more surprising — precisely because of the actor’s origins. This is also what the project manager thought at the time. What does the person concerned think about this matter?

“Fox Legend” – photo

A call from Cruz about Zorro

Early on, Spielberg wanted to offer the role to Tom CruiseMikael Salomon revealed. But my friend and compatriot Bel Auguste made “House of Souls” without a Latino cast and got into a lot of trouble for it. The film was protested in South America. “You know, this might not be a good idea,” I said to Stephen“For this very reason.”

However, Spielberg offered the role to Cruise, who later contacted Salomon. It was a very short conversation.

One day I was shooting a commercial and my assistant told me that Tom Cruise was calling me. I said OK.’ I actually worked with him as a cinematographer on Beyond the Horizon.“, recalls Suleiman. He said to me: “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think it’s a good idea because, you know…”. I said, “Tom, you’re a very smart guy. You’re absolutely right.”

Interestingly, “The Mask of Zorro” contains another “what if…” type link. Salomon revealed that he had his eye on another actor: Andy Garcia was the actor I wanted for this role. We talked to him and had some great meetings. But in the end nothing happened.