Zorro reboot presales take off

MIPCOM: French production and distribution company Cyber Group Studios has secured multiple worldwide presales for its latest animated series Zorro: The Chronicles.

Zorro: The Chronicles

The 26×22’ action-comedy series, targeting six- to 12-year-olds, was produced by Cyber Group, with John Gertz’s Zorro Production International and Blue Spirit Studios, for pubcasters France Télévisions and Rai in Italy.

It was written by Pierre Sissmann and Annabelle Perrichon, directed by Olivier Lelardoux and designed by Georges Bouchelaghm and Christrophe Rendu.

Pierre Sissmann, CEO of Cyber Group Studios, said: “We took months to research Zorro’s original roots – including California’s history, backgrounds and people – to fully understand the DNA of Zorro. Broadcasters from all continents are now convinced by this revisited and modernised version of the series.”

“Generations of kids have enjoyed watching Zorro’s adventures for justice and have identified with him,” added John Gertz, president and CEO of Zorro Productions. “I am certain that this will continue with Zorro: The Chronicles, which brings Zorro into the 21st century to a new generation.”

The show was picked up by 16 broadcasters including Turner and Citel in France; RTVE Clan in Spain; RTS in Switzerland; VRT and RTBF for Flemish and French-speaking Belgium; TV2 in Norway; YLE in Finland; NPO in the Netherlands; ETV in Estonia; TéléQuébec in Canada; Minimax for Eastern Europe; Globosat in Brazil; Spectrum in Indonesia; TV5 worldwide; and LRT in Lithuania.

Further sales are being negotiated for the US, Germany, Middle East, Italian-speaking Switzerland, Denmark, Asia and Latin America.

The series will launch on France 3 on Sunday October 18. An Italian version of the series is due to launch on Rai’s kids channel Rai Gulp early next year.