ANTONIO BANDERAS - BANDERAS: 'ZORRO HAS MATURED'

ANTONIO BANDERAS relished taking on a more adult role in THE LEGEND OF ZORRO because he felt the original movie was too childlike.

The ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO star took more pleasure from exploring a darker portrayal of the masked hero - and spending more screen time with CATHERINE ZETA-JONES than in 1998's THE MASK OF ZORRO.

The 44-year-old says, "It still keeps the adventure feeling, which is fundamental for Zorro. But it's based on jealousy and concepts that are more for us than kids."

Director MARTIN CAMPBELL says of his Welsh leading lady, "Her character will definitely be on a par with Antonio's this time."