Antonio Banderas to Return to Broadway in Don Juan DeMarco Musical

Confirming previous reports in which he first expressed interest in the property, Antonio Banderas told the UPI that next year, he will indeed be returning to Broadway in a musical version of the hit 1995 film Don Juan DeMarco--most likely helmed by Tony Award-winner David Leveaux. 

Don Juan DeMarco would star Banderas as the psychiatric patient who believes that he is the legendary ladies' man created by Lord Byron; in the film version, Johnny Depp played "Don Juan."

"I think it actually will be an interesting play...it is a very smart proposal for theater," stated Banderas, who also expressed his approval of Broadway's ability to introduce movies to younger generations who may not have seen them. He says that such "was the case with 8 1/2 by Federico Fellini. So, it absolutely can work." Leveaux helmed the Broadway revival of Nine, based on 8 1/2; Banderas received a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut performance as Guido.

Directed by and with a screenplay by Jeremy Leven, the movie also featured Marlon Brando as Dr. Jack Mickler, who treats the would-be Don Juan for his delusions, and who finds his own approach to life changed in the process. Faye Dunaway played his wife Marilyn Mickler.

Although Nine marks Banderas' only Broadway appearance to date, he appeared as Che in the film version of Evita and was also in the running to play the title role in the film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera (before it went to Gerard Butler). A film star in his native Spain before coming to America, he has acted in such films as Desperado, Original Sin, Femme Fatate, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Frida, Shrek 2, and the Spy Kids movies, as well as in the HBO film "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself." His next film is the dance movie Take the Lead, which opens this week.

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