Banderas picks Tom Holland as the next Zorro

There comes a time when many legendary characters have to pass the torch–or sword, as it were–to the next generation. Who will carry on that legacy is always the big question, but for Zorro, Antonio Banderas thinks there’s only one guy fit to handle the role: Tom Holland.

Banderas, who portrayed the titular hero in 1998’s The Mask of Zorro 2005’s The Legend of Zorro, recently sat down with ComicBook.com to discuss if he had any interest in another entry. “I would consider that possibility, why not?…I think today, I said something like that to somebody. They asked me about Zorro. If they called me to do Zorro, I would do what Anthony Hopkins did for me, which is to pass the torch.”

When prompted on who exactly could wield the sword, Banderas said Tom Holland. “I did Uncharted with him and he’s so energetic and fun and [he’s got] this spark, too…Why not?” Why not, indeed. Come to think of it, before Tom Holland dons the mask, can we get a Zorro/Spider-Man crossover?

For a stretch, Zorro was Antonio Banderas’ signature role. That is, until he donned a much smaller cape as Puss in Boots, who of course bears plenty of resemblance to Zorro. Counting his first appearance in Shrek 2, Banderas has voiced Puss in Boots six times, with the most recent outing, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, arriving in December.

Zorro has proved an enduring figure in cinema, with American takes on the legendary character alone dating back over 100 years, beginning with Douglas Fairbanks’ silent swashbuckling. He has also been portrayed by Tyrone Power, Frank Langella, George Hamilton, and more. As of late, it was announced that a Disney+ series had Wilmer Valderrama attached.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish arrives in theaters on December 21st.

What do you think? Would Tom Holland make a good Zorro? Let us know your take on Antonio Banderas’ dream casting below!