History Trivia / TheMaskOfZorro

* ShoutOut: The charactera of Cpl. Garcia and Don Diego's persona of Bernardo the manservent are nods to the 1957 ''Series/{{Zorro}}'' TV series, which introduced the characters.

** The original draft also averted Raphael's VillainStupidity and WhyDontYouJustShootHim approach at the beginning, the guards assume he died in the fire and send Diego off to a HellholePrison. It is only then that Raphael emerges, nearly dead from rescuing Elena and ready to execute his foe, only to be told Diego has been taken away.

** Creator/AnthonyHopkins was very proud of the work he did mastering the bullwhip and insisted they let him show off a bit. The scene in the cave where he's extinguishing candles with the whip? That was Hopkins.

* YouLookFamiliar: Pedro Armendariz Jr. plays both Don Hector and Governor Riley. In addition Tony Amendola plays Don Luis and Father Quintero, the name of the villain in the Creator/TyronePower film was Don Luis Quintero.

* NoStuntDouble: Creator/AntonioBanderas was extremely adamant about performing many of his own stunts for authenticity.
* ReleaseDateChange: The film was initially set for release on December 19, 1997 before the release date was changed to March 1998. There was speculation within the media about whether TriStar changed the date in an attempt to avoid competition with ''Film/Titanic1997''. In reality, ''Zorro'' had encountered production problems that extended its shooting schedule. In addition, Sony Pictures Entertainment, TriStar's parent company, wanted an action film for its first quarter releases of 1998.

** As a point of interest, this is the first Zorro movie where the hero is played by a real Spaniard as in the books. Unfortunately, this version is Mexican.

** Creator/BenicioDelToro, Andy Garcia, Marc Anthony, Joaquim de Almeida and Chayanne were considered for Alejandro Murrieta.

* ThrowItIn: Creator/AnthonyHopkins was very proud of the work he did mastering the bullwhip and insisted they let him show off a bit. The scene in the cave where he's extinguishing candles with the whip? That was Hopkins.

* FollowTheLeader: This film came out in a wave of modern swashbuckler adventure films that updated classic stories following the success of ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'', with bonus points for also having a love ballad/pop song made for it that's weaved into the orchestral score. Although in terms of its story whilst ''The Mask of Zorro'' may have inspired the film version of ''Film/TheCountOfMonteCristo''; ''Zorro'' itself seems to be a {{re|cycledINSPACE}}telling of the ''Monte Cristo'' story (it's actually a retelling of ''The Curse Of Capistrano'').

* ADuelingMovies: This film came out it close proximity to the fellow 1998 swashbuckler ''Film/TheManInTheIronMask''. Both feature older versions of the classic hero coming back into action in order to take down a corrupt ruler and mentoring a younger hero in training.

* DuelingMovies: This film came out it close proximity to the fellow 1998 swashbuckler ''Film/TheManInTheIronMask''. Both feature older versions of the classic hero coming back into action in order to take down a corrupt ruler and mentoring a younger hero in training.

** ''The Mask of Zorro'' was originally going to be directed by Creator/RobertRodriguez, with Creator/SalmaHayek playing Elena. Rodriquez left because the studio [[ExecutiveMeddling wouldn't accept his R-rated version]], and Salma Hayek left when he did (presumably out of loyalty).
** Creator/StevenSpielberg declined to direct, as he was busy with ''Film/SavingPrivateRyan''. He did executive produce the film.

* FollowTheLeader: This film came out in a wave of modern swashbuckler adventure films that updated classic stories following the success of ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'', with bonus points for also having a love ballad/pop song made for it that's weaved into the orchestral score . Although in terms of its story whilst ''The Mask of Zorro'' may have inspired the film version of ''Film/TheCountOfMonteCristo''; ''Zorro'' itself seems to be a {{re|cycledINSPACE}}telling of the ''Monte Cristo'' story (it's actually a retelling of ''The Curse Of Capistrano'').

* FollowTheLeader: This film came out in a wave of modern swashbuckler adventure films that updated classic stories following the success of ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'', with bonus points for also having a love ballad/pop song made for it that's weaved into the orchestral score . Although in terms of its story, whilst ''The Mask of Zorro'' may have inspired the film version of ''Film/TheCountOfMonteCristo''; but ''Zorro'' also seems to be a {{re|cycledINSPACE}}telling of the ''Monte Cristo'' story (it's actually a retelling of ''The Curse Of Capistrano'').

** As a point of interest, this is the first Zorro movie where the hero is played by a real Spaniard as in the books. Unfortunately, this version is Mexica

** As a point of interest, this is the first Zorro movie where the hero is played by a real Spaniard as in the books. Unfortunately, this version is Mexican.
* FollowTheLeader: This film came out in a wave of modern swashbuckler adventure films that updated classic stories following the success of ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves''. Although in terms of its story, whilst ''The Mask of Zorro'' may have inspired the film version of ''Film/TheCountOfMonteCristo''; but ''Zorro'' also seems to be a {{re|cycledINSPACE}}telling of the ''Monte Cristo'' story (it's actually a retelling of ''The Curse Of Capistrano'').

* FollowTheLeader: This film came out in a wave of modern swashbuckler films that updated classic stories following the success of ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves''. Although in terms of its story, whilst ''The Mask of Zorro'' may have inspired the film version of ''Film/TheCountOfMonteCristo''; but ''Zorro'' also seems to be a {{re|cycledINSPACE}}telling of the ''Monte Cristo'' story (it's actually a retelling of ''The Curse Of Capistrano'').

* FollowTheLeader: In a strange double-edged example, ''The Mask of Zorro'' may have inspired the film version of ''Film/TheCountOfMonteCristo''; but ''Zorro'' also seems to be a {{re|cycledINSPACE}}telling of the ''Monte Cristo'' story (it's actually a retelling of ''The Curse Of Capistrano'').

** Creator/RaulJulia was supposed to play Don Diego de la Vega, but died before he could take the role.

* FakeNationality: Both Don Diego and his daughter Elena are played by Welsh actors, Alejandro is a Mexican played by a Spaniard, and both villains (the probably Spanish Montero and the French Armand) are played by {{E|vilBrit}}nglishmen.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Creator/RaulJulia was supposed to play Don Diego de la Vega, but died before he could take the role.
** ''The Mask of Zorro'' was originally going to be directed by Creator/RobertRodriguez, with Creator/SalmaHayek playing Elena. Rodriquez left because the studio [[ExecutiveMeddling wouldn't accept his R-rated version]], and Salma Hayek left when he did (presumably out of loyalty).

* HeyItsThatGuy: [[Series/{{Lost}} Ben Linus]] in the sequel.
** [[Series/{{stargatesg1}} Bra'tac]] plays minor roles in both films.

** ''The Mask of Zorro'' was originally going to be directed by Creator/RobertRodriguez, with SalmaHayek playing Elena. Rodriquez left because the studio [[ExecutiveMeddling wouldn't accept his R-rated version]], and Salma Hayek left when he did (presumably out of loyalty).

** [[{{stargatesg1}} Bra'tac]] plays minor roles in both films.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: RaulJulia was supposed to play Don Diego de la Vega, but died before he could take the role.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
** ''The Mask of Zorro'' was originally going to be directed by Creator/RobertRodriguez, with SalmaHayek playing Elena. Rodriquez left because the studio [[ExecutiveMeddling wouldn't accept his R-rated version]], and Salma Hayek left when he did (presumably out of loyalty).
** RaulJulia was supposed to play Don Diego de la Vega, but died before he could take the role.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: RaulJulia was supposed to play Don Diego de la Vega, but died before he could take the role.