The year is 1850. The Legend of Zorro is set several years after the conclusion of the previous adventure. Alejandro (Banderas) and Elena (Zeta-Jones) are married and have a ten-year-old son, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). Though Alejandro continues to don the mask of Zorro to protect the poor and oppressed residents of the California territory from the greed of the overlords, he has not told his son about his dynamic alter-ego. But that all changes since plans for California to become the 31st state are being undermined by a nefarious plot by several prominent land-barons and businessmen. At the same time, a corrupt robber McGivens (Nick Chinlund) is intimidating the law-abiding residents of California, seizing their land and threatening their livelihoods. Zorro's valiant attempt to foil their plans runs headlong into a personal crisis that threatens the safety of his family.

   To portray the dastardly Jacob McGivens, Martin Campbell selected Nick Chinlund, explaining, "Nick looks threatening to me and carries off that enforcer feel he is the gunman hired to do the dirty work". Chinlund accepted the role in part to work with Campbell, but mainly because when he read the script, "The words were great, the style of speaking was very specific. There was only one way to deliver those lines, which is a gift when it happens".
   Director Campbell never regretted his choice of Nick Chinlund or Rufus Sewell and marvels at how well they played off one another. "What I liked was that Nick was never over the top. He underplayed it enormously. Here is a man you believe works just for money and kills for money and is extremely efficient at it. He is a strong contrast to the more urbane Armand, who despises even having to deal with somebody like McGivens, but he simply must to achieve his goal. On the other hand, McGivens enjoys rubbing Armand’s face in his slightly coarse, rough edges. It’s a great dynamic".

1850 год. После борьбы за присоединение Калифорнии к США , Зорро (Антонио Бандерас) должен выполнить обещание, которое он дал своей жене Элене (Кэтрин Зета-Джонс) - оставить свои тайны в прошлом и жить нормальной жизнью как Алехандро де ла Вега. Он колеблется, что угрожет семейному благополучию. Однако, когда те же силы, что препятствовали вступлению Калифорнии в Соединенные Штаты, вынашивают новые коварные планы, которые могут навсегда изменить курс истории, Зорро вновь берется за оружие.