Together again

Online sources are crackling with the news that Antonio Banderas will re-team with Catherine Zeta Jones for a biopic based on the life of artist Salvador Dali:

From WalesOnline:

Catherine Zeta Jones to star with Antonio Banderas in Salvador
Dali film
Apr 12, 2009 by Clare Hutchinson, Wales On Sunday

CATHERINE Zeta Jones will team up with her former Mask of Zorro co-star Antonio Banderas for a film based on the life of Salvador Dali.

Filming on the production is due to begin next month in Spanish holiday-hotspot Alicante, at the Ciudad de la Luz studios. Zeta Jones will take on the role of Dali’s nurse, Gala, while Banderas will play the surrealist artist. Gala married Dali and had a string of affairs.

Zeta Jones starred in The Mask of Zorro (1998) and The Legend of Zorro (2005).

From Spicezee.com:

Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones reunite for ‘Dali’

Los Angeles, April 12: After the successful Zorro franchise, Latin heartthrob Antonio Banderas and Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta Jones will reunite on screen for a film on the life of artist Salvardor Dali.

The Simon West film titled `Dali` will star Antonio Banderas as the Spanish painter, while Jones plays Dali`s wife and muse, Gala, reported Los Angeles Times. They were last seen together in the 2005 hit `Legend of Zorro`, which was a sequel to the successful 1998 film `The Mask of Zorro`. The pair had won plaudits for their on-screen chemistry in the films which revolve around the life of legendary swordsman Zorro, a fictional character who is a Spanish version of Robin Hood.

The 48-year-old actor has already started shooting for the film and will be headed after his schedule here to London where he will begin work on the yet untitled Woody Allen film, which has Freida Pinto and Naomi Watts in the cast.

Biopic may never be

According to an article in the New York Times, Antonio Banderas has abandoned the idea of a biopic based on a Formula One race car driver killed in 1994:

Antonio Banderas tried to develop a biopic on Ayrton Senna, a three-time Formula One champion. Senna, who died in a crash at the height of his career in 1994, is considered by many to be the greatest driver of all time. The accident at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Italy, continues to be a thorny issue for Formula One, which has held the details surrounding the Brazilian driver’s death very close to the vest. Whatever the case, Mr. Banderas has since moved on.

Malaga Spanish Film Festival 2009

Antonio Banderas will be the guest of honor for the opening night of the Malaga Spanish Film Festival later this month, according to TV Spain.

The festival, which runs April 17-25, showcases feature films, documentaries, shorts and videos.

Holy Week in Malaga

From Typically Spanish:

Antonio Banderas sings to his virgen and promises help for Cudeca

Malaga actor, Antonio Banderas, took part in the Palm Sunday procession as the Mayordomo for the throne of his brotherhood, the Virgen de las Lágrimas y Favores

Banderas was not the only famous face at the procession in Málaga, the bell to start the event was rung by Baroness Carmen Tyssen.

For the first time this year the men who carry the throne sang to the virgin before the setting off, and the lyrics of the song had been written also by Antonio Banderas, known among his brothers in the group simply as ‘chico’.
Local singer Diana Navarro was also on hand to sing a saeta lament.

Banderas told the press that his brotherhood were to start raising funds for charity, and he would be working with the Cudeca cancer hospice in the future. He said it was fundamental for the brotherhood to open to the community.

He also announced some scholarships for students and said that the recipients would not have to be a member of the brotherhood to benefit, the only requirement being in need. ‘Jews, Muslims and Atheists were weclome’, he said. The idea was to help those who had no means who wanted to study.

All the brotherhoods in Málaga, and other cities across Spain, were on the streets for Palm Sunday.

Kidman joins unnamed project

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Nicole Kidman has signed up for Woody Allen's untitled 2009 project with Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Freida Pinto, and Naomi Watts already on board. Kidman and Watts, of course, are close pals.

Banderas composes lyrics for Easter celebration

From Think Spain:

Antonio Banderas composes lyrics for Semana Santa march

ACTOR Antonio Banderas has composed the lyrics to the Easter parade march for his Semana Santa brotherhood.

The Málaga-born star belongs to the Reales Cofradías Fusionadas in his home city, is a throne-carrier and has been rehearsing steps with the other pall-bearers throughout Lent.

He and his fellow carriers will sing the march, titled Madre de lágrimas (‘Mother of
tears’), composed by Abel Moreno, during the Good Friday processions in Málaga.

Banderas says the lyrics were inspired by his childhood, since he grew up in San Juan street where the brotherhood is based and which gives its name to the church where the images carried by the pall-bearers are displayed throughout Easter week.

Sexiest vampires

Antonio Banderas made the list of sexiest big screen vampires in a poll on FemaleFirst.co.uk. I'm not sure who was voting, because Armand came in 7th. He's definitely the sexiest of all the choices.

30% Brad Pitt - Interview with the Vampire
24% Robert Pattinson - Twilight
13% Gary Oldman - Bram Stoker’s Dracula
10% David Boreanaz - Angel / Buffy the Vampire Slayer
8% Jason Patric - The Lost Boys
7% Kiefer Sutherland - The Lost Boys
5% Antonio Banderas - Interview with the Vampire
3% Tom Cruise - Interview with the Vampire