Part one of my review of the action adventure classic, The Mask Of Zorro(1998) starring Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stuart Wilson, Matt Letscher, and Tony Amendola. Directed by Martin Campbell. Trivia Originally, Anthony Hopkins refused the part of Don Diego de la Vega because he had too much pain in his back. A laser operation made an end on the pain and made it possible for him to accept the part. After watching La ardilla roja, Stanley Kubrick advised Steven Spielberg to hire Julio Medem to direct this movie. Spielberg contacted Medem but the Spanish filmmaker rejected the job and preferred to keep working in more personal projects. In order to accomplish the effect of Elena's dress falling off from being sliced up by Zorro, a wire was attached to the dress to pull the dress off. Izabella Scorupco was offered the lead female role but turned it down. Robert Rodriguez was originally attached to direct, but the studio didn't agree with his much-m! ore violent and R-rated proposal. Raul Julia was originally supposed play Diego de la Vega but died before he could take the role. Sean Connery turned down the part later played by Anthony Hopkins.
