Antonio Banderas Begins Work on 'Shrek' Spin-off

According to The Orlando Sentinel, Antonio Banderas has begun work on his 'Shrek' spin-off, 'Puss in Boots', set for release in Winter 2011. The film will follow Banderas' character, Puss in Boots, before his first appearance in 'Shrek 2'.

Banderas says of the upcoming film, "I've done three sessions already, that film will be a continuation of my character. We just started recording and working on it three months ago, and these things take a long time. You know how that process goes. The script transforms, you record things over or different things. They take all the material, test it with images and see how it works. Transform it some more, change the script, and back in the studio because the narrative side of the movie has changed."

Zach Galifianakis is allegedly in talks to voice Humpty Dumpty, joining Antonio Banderas as the title character, and Salma Hayek as Kitty. The film is written by Tom Wheeler and directed by Chris Miller who co-wrote and co-directed Shrek the Third.

Prior to the release of Puss in Boots, Shrek producers are keeping the franchise alive with Shrek Forever After, slated for release this Friday, May 21. And it is no wonder. Shrek 2 made $441 million domestically, far more than the original's returns of $267 million. Shrek the Third grossed $322 million.  Both Shrek 2 and 3 cost around $150 million, while the original installment cost $60 million. And, of course, Shrek: The Musical enjoyed a healthy run on Broadway December 2008 thru January 2010. The production is gearing up for its First national tour --- beginning July 13 in Chicago.

Recently, Variety reported that Antonio Banderas will star in the Broadway revival of ZORBA, slated to open September 2011. Banderas appeared on Broadway in the revival of Nine, for which he was nominated for a Tony and received a Drama Desk and Theatre World Award in 2003.  His performance is preserved on the Broadway cast recording released by PS Classics. One of the most internationally recognizable actors in the world, he has appeared in high-profile Hollywood films including Assassins, Evita, Interview with the Vampire, the Oscar-winning Philadelphia, Desperado with Salma Hayek, The Mask of Zorro, and the Spy Kids and Shrek film series as Puss in Boots. Recently, Banderas announced that he will do his sixth film with good friend, Pedro Almodovar. Banderas appeared alongside Almodovar is 1990's "Tie Me Up, Time Me Down". 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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