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CATHERINE ZETA-JONES (Elena
Montero) is undertaking her first major
screen role in a Hollywood film in The Mask
of Zorro.
Zeta-Jones was brought to the attention
of the filmmakers by Steven Spielberg,
who had been watching television one
night when he spotted her in "The
Titanic" miniseries. The next day, he
called Campbell and suggested the
director consider her for Elena. "Steven
convinced me," said Campbell. "Few
people outside England have seen her
work, and it is exciting to think we are
introducing this great new talent."
Producer Foster said, "This is a huge
opportunity for Catherine, starring
opposite Hopkins and Banderas. She
distinguishes herself both as an actress
and as a true professional, having
endured the physical aspects of her
role."
The Mask of Zorro reunites the
Welsh-born Zeta-Jones with Hopkins,
who previously directed her in a 1992 theater production of
the Dylan Thomas play "Under Milkwood."
"I loved working with Catherine, both in
the play and in The Mask Of Zorro,"
Hopkins says. "She is wonderful. I'm
only sorry they didn't need her to sing in
Zorro. She has a beautiful voice."
Zeta-Jones first came to prominence in
England in 1991 when she appeared in
"The Darling Buds of May," a popular
British comedy/drama series from
Yorkshire Television based on the novel by H.E. Bates.
Before undertaking the series, Zeta-Jones appeared on the
London stage in the lead role of the musical hit "42nd Street."
She made her film debut in French
director Philip de Broca's 1990 film
Scheherazade.
A versatile actress, Zeta-Jones segued
back to theater work in "Street Scenes"
with the English National Opera after
wrapping "The Darling Buds of May."
She then returned to television in the title
role of the miniseries "Catherine the
Great." Additional film roles include a featured role in The
Phantom and parts in Splitting Heirs and Christopher
Columbus: The Discovery. The actress will next be seen
starring opposite Sean Connery in the film, Entrapment.
http://www.spe.sony.com/movies/zorro/
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