Antonio Banderas Directs Third Film, 'Solo,' for 2012 Release

Set to debut on the silver screens in 2012, Antonio Banderas will begin production of his new film, a sci-fi psychological thriller, "Solo," next year, according to Variety.com.

"Solo" will mark Banderas' third directorial film, which follows "Summer Rain" (2006) and "Crazy in Alabama" (1999). Based upon Erik Jendresen's original screenplay, Banderas will play the film's lead, a Spanish colonel suffering a post-conflict trauma. To reach international markets world-wide, the film, which has an anticipated budget of $14 million, will be shot in English and will feature a full cast of Spanish actors.

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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos