=============================================================================== =============================================================================== A N T O N I O A D M I R E R S February 4, 2002 vol.8, no.1 =============================================================================== An Unofficial Newsletter dedicated to Antonio Banderas =============================================================================== IN THIS ISSUE Antonio to Broadway in 2003 Antonio Shoot Lays Potato Chips Commercial in Spain La Gran Ilusion Interview (from Clara) Malaga's Latin Lover Profile (from KC) =============================================================================== ANTONIO TO BROADWAY Banderas Rolls a 'Nine' in Broadway Bow Friday January 25 By Robert Hofler NEW YORK (Variety) - Antonio Banderas will make his Broadway debut in a revival of the 1982 hit musical ``Nine,'' based on Federico Fellini's classic ``8-1/2.'' Banderas, a Spaniard, will play the role of Guido, an Italian movie director undergoing a midlife crisis who re-examines his many relationships with women. The Roundabout Theater Co. will open its revival of ``Nine'' in January 2003, with David Leveaux directing. The Maury Yeston-Arthur Kopit stage adaptation of Fellini's movie had its world premiere on May 9, 1982. Raul Julia starred as Guido, a role originated in the 1963 film version by Marcello Mastroianni. The original production of ``Nine'' nabbed 12 Tony nominations, winning the award for best musical. Liliane Montevecchi won for featured actress, beating co-stars Karen Akers and Anita Morris. Guido is the sole male role in the ensemble. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Report: Banderas to Play Guido in Roundabout Nine Revival, Jan. 2003 Playbill story, 25-JAN-2002 Back in late November, rumor was already spreading that film star Antonio Banderas was being sought for the role of Guido Contini, film director and chic magnet, in a Roundabout Theatre Company revival of the Tony-winning musical, Nine. Now, according to Variety, the casting is a fact, with Banderas set to take the role in the Maury Yeston-Arthur Kopit-Mario Fratti tuner based on Fellini's autobiographical film "8 1/2." Initial reports had the show arriving on Broadway in spring 2003, but that's apparently been pushed forward to January 2003. Roundabout spokesperson Adrian Bryan-Brown confirmed (Jan. 25) that rehearsals for Nine begin in January, but there was "no comment" on either casting or where the production would take place. Nine first opened at the 46th Street Theatre on May 9, 1982, under the direction of Tommy Tune, who also did the choreography along with Thommie Walsh. The show was the brainchild of Yeston, who loved the Fellini film, about Guido Contini, a stalled Italian film director experiencing a career crisis. Tune filled the show with dreamlike stage images, establishing his reputation as a musical theatre director driven by arresting visions and stage pictures. Tune also came up with the idea of surrounding the director hero with female characters, making star Raul Julia the only adult male in the show. Among the women were Karen Akers as Guido's wife, Liliane Montevecchi as his French producer, Shelly Burch as his leading actress and Anita Morris as his mistress. The buxom Morris owned what was perhaps the most sensational moment in the musical, singing "A Phone Call from the Vatican" in nothing but a flesh-colored body suit. Nine went on to play 732 performances and win the Tony Award for best musical. The show helped establish Julia as a bankable star. Word in the community has Antonio Banderas up for the lead in the revival, but no casting has been announced at this time. Leveaux is the director behind such Broadway successes as Anna Christie starring Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson and Electra starring Zoe Wanamaker. Last year, he was set to direct Mary-Louise Parker in a Roundabout mounting of O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms. But Parker opted to remain with Proof and the project was abandoned. The director piloted Nine first at the Donmar Warehouse. In November 2001, Variety mentioned that Nine might open at Studio 54, the home of the hit Roundabout revival of Cabaret. At the 2001 Tony ceremony, Natasha Richardson — who created the role of Sally Bowles in the long running revival — said that she may return to close the show sometime in 2002. Richardson spoke in the press room of the 2001 Tony Awards. She added that Cabaret has not set a closing date and that talks were ongoing. At the moment, Cabaret has received a shot in the arm from good re-reviews and audience interest in the most recent Sally, Molly Ringwald. —By David Lekowitz and Robert Simonson ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From Broadway.com -- Posted By KC, 26 January 2002 Banderas to Make B'way Debut in Nine Next Season As Ken Mandelbaum mentioned on December 10 and again on January 4, Antonio Banderas will indeed appear in the planned Broadway revival of Nine, according to Variety. The actor will play Guido Contini, the central figure in the musical. Banderas is a Broadway novice, although he has stage experience in his native Spain. At the age of 14, he began working with a theater company in his hometown of Malaga. He later he formed his own theater troupe and traveled around the country putting on productions in the street. That was all before his film career took off. In the early 1980s, Banderas began acting in Spanish features and in 1992 made his Hollywood debut with The Mambo Kings. Since then his film credits have included Philadelphia, Miami Rhapsody, Four Rooms, Desperado, The Mask of Zorro, Evita (a singing role), Spy Kids and Original Sin. The actor also showed off his singing voice in Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration, a concert now available on video. The Roundabout Theatre Company is planning to open Nine, directed by David Leveaux, on Broadway in January of 2003. While we previously reported Studio 54 as a likely venue, no theater has been announced for the production. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ More on "Nine" Posted By: Di, 27 January 2002 From the People.com website: Banderas: Broadway's Newest Music Man STEPHEN M. SILVERMAN Screen hunk Antonio Banderas, 40, whose last big movie was 2001's "Spy Kids," is taking an unusual career turn -- and a kick step. Variety reports that he is going to Broadway, where he will make his New York stage debut in a Jan. 2003 revival of the 1982 Tony-winning musical "Nine." The show is based on real-life Italian movie director Federico Fellini's classic quasi-autobiographical 1963 film, "8-1/2," about a filmmaker named Guido Anselmi and his colorful daydreams about his art and his women (mostly about his women, from his wife and his leading ladies to his mother and his mistresses). One of the conceits of the show is that Guido is the only male member of the cast. Although this will be Banderas's first time on Broadway, he is no stranger to the stage, having started in theater before making movies in his native Spain. The late Raul Julia ("The Kiss of the Spider Woman") originally played Guido on Broadway, in the role made famous in the movie by Marcello Mastroianni. Despite being named best musical of 1982 -- beating out Michael Bennett's more popular "Dreamgirls" for the top Tony award -- audiences of the time did not find "Nine" to be particularly accessible, despite its flashy production numbers by director- choreographer Tommy Tune. David Leveaux will direct this revival, says Variety, and the production will take place at the Roundabout Theater Co., which recently produced an uneven revival of Claire Booth Luce's "The Women," starring Jennifer Tilly, Kristen Johnston and "Sex and the City" 's Cynthia Nixon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roundabout Theatre Posted By: SusanLeigh, 26 January 2002 Their home theater is near Times Square--have put link to Roundabout Theatre and have tried to put link to picture of the theater (if it works) "And as you walk through the Times Square area, you may pass by our beautiful new home -- The American Airlines Theatre. Through a landmark corporate partnership with American Airlines, as well as tremedous support from both the City and State of New York and thousands of individuals, corporations and foundations, we opened our new permanent home for classic theatre on June 30, 2000. The fully restored theatre, originally built in 1918, features a 740 seat proscenium theatre, a penthouse lobby, and a private patrons lounge." =============================================================================== ANTONIO VISITS SPAIN TO SHOOT LAYS COMMERCIAL HE'S BEEN IN SPAIN !!!!! Posted By: Clara, 21 January 2002 AHHHHH.. I have just watched him in a tv program !!!!!!!!!!!!!!... He cut his hair , but he looks...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... WOOONDERFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!... Evita haircut , I would say , but .. well maybe a little more curls falling down .. and wearing a white t-shirt and smiley and.. welll just delicious ... he didn't say a lot , only that he hasn't slept because he came directly from Vancouver... from the set ....so far I've only found one VERY small pic in a Catalan paper ... you remember those small pics from the set of ouatim ... I hope we'll get better ones next days . And well.. apparently he came to shoot a commercial of Lays crisps in Cadaques , a village in the coast of Cataluña... ------------------------------------------ I forgot again .. the link above is to a paper in Catalan , not Spanish... but it doesn't say much either .. only that the village went wild with Antonio's presence and that he was very nice with his fans and people who came to see him close...and some misinformation about Antonio supposedly filming now in Paris femmme fatale ( !!!!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PUBLICITY BY THE PIECE Banderas advertises potato chips in Cadaqués El Periodico, Jan 22 Antonio Banderas has nabbed the pleasure of becoming an advertising spokesman. The actor (in the photos of the right) has traveled to Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) to shoot the new commercial for Lays potato chips. "I have not slept at all, but here I am", he explained yesterday. Banderas who has taken a break from a filmshoot in Canada. In the spot, executed by the producer Tesauro, you will see Banderas walking through Cadaqués, while a typical fish market scene is developed. The actor flew to Perpinyà in his private airplane and during his brief stay in the Costa Brava was accompanied by his brother Javier. "Melanie is well and begins filming in France", added Banderas who has also lent his image to Mediterráneo , the new fragrance of Puig. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ La Vanguardia 22/01/2002 JOSEP SANDOVAL, Barcelona Banderas, yesterday during the filming of the spot in Cadaqués Antonio Banderas has filmed last weekend in Cadaqués the announcement of a well- known brand of potato chips. The Malagueño actor arrived on Saturday in private flight at the airport of Perpiñán from Vancouver (Canada), where he films his new movie, "ECKS Versus SEVER", of a Thai director, and subsequently he continued his trip by road toCadaqués whose streets served as setting to an agitated filming, because it coincided with the celebration of San Sebastian's pilgrimage, a tradition that every year mobilizes the entire population. To accommodate the actor three options had been scheduled: a splendid "roulotte" installed in a parking lot; a luxurious sailing ship, and the main suite of the hotel Rocamar was reserved which was where he finally slept Saturday and Sunday, surrounded by incredible security measures. The producer of the spot substituted the furniture from the epoch of the room for other more functional ones, only respecting the bolster of the bed, 300 years old. Cordial and kind, without special whims (he only requested a lot of Lanjarón and Evian mineral water), Banderas invited into his suite on one of the nights for paella, Andalucian and red fish soup, a small group of friends among whom was his brother Javier who had arrived in Barcelona from Málaga on the same Saturday, and he called several times his wife, Melanie who was skiing with their children in Aspen (Colorado). Yesterday at noon the actor returned to Canada to continue the shooting of the film on which he works. =============================================================================== SKIING IN ASPEN New York Post, Neal Travis, December 31, 2001 -- Aspen family values replacing wild times MAYBE it's the times we live in or maybe everyone's getting older, but Aspen - which used to be a wild party town - has been all about family values this season. Take Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, who've been spending lots of quality time at the nearby ranch of Don Johnson and his new wife, Kelley. Don and Melanie, of course, have been married to each other twice and still manage to remain friends and loving parents to Alexander, 16, and Dakota, 12. Also in tow were Melanie and Antonio's daughter Stella, 5, and Don and Kelley's baby, Grace. Talk about an extended family! Goldie Hawn is making the Aspen scene as usual with Kurt Russell (so much for those silly rumors about problems in this relationship) along with her daughter Kate Hudson and rocker husband Chris Robinson, who are celebrating their first wedding anniversary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SF Gate, January 7, 2002 And in Aspen over the holiday, Don Johnson was seen having an amiable lunch (mind you, not the same as a Happy Meal) with his ex, Melanie Griffith, and her husband, Antonio Banderas. Kelley Johnson, his pregnant wife, isn't skiing, said the New York Daily News =============================================================================== "LA GRAN ILUSION " INTERVIEW Thanks very much to Clara who translated this from the special on Spanish television tv program interview. Marbella, summer 2000 Concha Garcia Campoy(CGC) (interviewer): tell me about the pregon you made . Antonio : it was very difficult to make . It's like proposing a woman that you love a lot , words don't come out ... it's difficult to sum up feelings .. CGC:... welll ..I suppose it was more difficult proposing Melanie .. Melanie .. how did he propose to you ? Melanie : he was very nervous , and I didn't know what happened to him .. he told me , let's go to the beach , and I said , we go to the beach every day , and he said , no but now the sun is perfect , and I said , perfect for what ?.. and he .. for walking ... Antonio: I propose in romantic style , I was on my knees, I gave her a ring , and I asked her to marry me .... MG : It was very romantic , everything was perfect .. and I said yes , and then we kissed each other ..... and all of a sudden .. we saw a couple walking , and I thought, I know this man .. they were Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger ... AB: the beach was absolutely empty, the only thing there were sharks and any crazy surfer , and suddenly there were two people looking at us ... we were there with our very private thing , and they were Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger .. and .. not only that .... a man had just caught a shark beside us ......so , it was a very strange proposal, Luis Buñuel( a surrealistic director ) could have shot it ... MG : but there was a story about the pregon , because 2 days before , it was Antonio's 40th birthday ... usually , people are very strange when they are 40, it's an important date, you think strange things... but I think he didn't realized he was 40 because he only had the pregon in his mind .... AB: yesss it's true!!... I had my table full of papers , it was a big responsibility... yess.. I've forgotten I'm 40 .. but people says you are a year more , but you know that you are a year less ... but I trust in the genome thing I wish I could live 130 or 140 years .. I'm not scared about dying , I'm furious about it , because I'm very curious and optimistic also, I think the world is going to be better , that we are going to be able to think about bigger and better interests than now , and I'm furious that I won't see that , and that I won't see the new things that will be discovered about astronomy , biology , about ourselves .. the society of the 21st century ... CGC: we've got the feeling , that every time you come to Spain you are harassed and that one day you may not come anymore .. Antonio is Spanish but ... what about you Melanie?? MG: it was very difficult at first ... but now the things has changed ... now , for example when I walk by the street , everybody knows me and they say Hi Melanie , hi Stella!. Stella is like a princess here , like royal family .... hahah.. but people are very nice with me .... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALMODOVAR : I'm glad that things go well with him .. I miss him , and I hope we meet again , because he's getting old very well.... ANA BELEN : when I met him we were doing together the play , La Hija del Aire, in the centro de arte dramatico nacional.. he was very very young , the youngest of the theatre company , so we called him " the kid " (el niño).. what I remember most of Antonio at that time is that he was ALL the time singing with his guitar in his dressing room ... he used to come also to my dressing room to tell me listen to this song .... ALASKA: ( she's a singer and close friend of Almodóvar .. she acted in the first Almodóvar movie ): Antonio is that man that makes any woman feels like she's the centre of the world, by the way he look at you , the way to talk to you , of making you feel that you are special...... _________________ CGC:... WOW .. the centre of the world !.. you agree with her Melanie ? MG : ... of the Universe... AB : .....hahahaah...I like it ( meaning what Alaska said)... CGC: ...What do you think about Penelope Cruz ? AB: I would love to work with her , I like her for a long time , since she first worked with Bigas Luna( a director ) , she's so fresh and so natural , and very serious with her work at the same time ... Penelope Cruz : he was my neighbour years ago when we both were living in new York , we used to go to the park , cycling... Antonio gives you lessons with his attitude , with a true humbleness, he's got a lot of magic, he's unspoilt .. AB: Yesss....We used to meet a lot in New York , we use to go out for dinner or cycling to the park .. MG : When she comes to our house in LA , Stella loves her she takes her hand all time .. calling her Penelope ... AB: Stella is very shy when she first meet people , but with Penelope she connected immediately.. CGC : Penelope said one thing , he's really humble ...that's something , you are always asked about .. is it true that you are so humble ? AB: I think that the fact that I've been progressing in my career little by little, that I've seen all the miseries it has , ... the success and the failures are present all the time in this career ... this profession is very incidental ( unexpected). I'm now in a process in which I would like to buy my freedom , at an artistic and economic level ...I would like my profession become again my hobby again , I think that then I could give more as an actor and do those things I really like .... CGC: We have also opinions about Melanie : ------------------------------ Almodovar : I've always thought she's a very good actress in both comedy and drama , the only thing she just couldn't help just like almost everybody , I couldn't help it too , is being forty , it sounds like an illness but it isn't ... but in Hollywood it is ... Joaquin Sabina : ( a singer friend of Antonio ): she's a much more intelligent woman than some people think , and she's much more happy than other people would like .. and I'm glad about it .... ....................................................... CGC: I would like you to talk about your projects .. Antonio I've heard that you've been offered to work with Julia Roberts ... AB: yess , but I don't like the character , he's a latin lover , a humourless character , if the character would have had humor, maybe I would have done it ..... CGC: I think that Antonio always thinks that he's not working again , he's afraid of the emptiness... MG : Yes, the first day that he's finished a movie he's happy , but the second day he's thinking .. when am I working again?? AB: yes , I'm very insecure .... CGC: Do you think that you've already made the greatest work of your life ? AB: No , I don't think so .. and I hope to do it here Spain .. CGC: what did your father tell you the day of the pregon ? AB : that I've run all over the world to get to the town hall balcony , which is two blocks from my home .. but I'm glad that my parents got to see me succeeding in my career .... CGC: Melanie , how do you get along with his family? MG: they are incredible! the only thing is that when they are all together they speak so quickly and I can't understand a word , so I have to say , please speak slowly.. AB : but my father thinks that if he speaks very slowly the Americans are going to understand him , he used to speak to Tippi like this ( speaking very slowly ) "las rosas estan en el coche ". ... MG : . hahahah..and the first time your father saw my mother ... AB : .. Yes , my father was a fan of Tippi ... so the first time Tippi came my father gave her this BIG roses bouquet .... and my mother was like .. hey . what are you doing ?.... my father has always loved theatre , and my mother too .. CGC: tell us about La Blanca Paloma .. AB: You see two characters overwhelmed by the environment in which they live, confused .. in a society with too many problems.. my character lives in a confused world where my brother that was from ETA has been killed , and at the same time is in love with a girl whose father is supposedly right wing , he lives in the left of the river in Bilbao ... it's a love story broken by the things around , by the circumstances.... like a Romeo and Julieta in a too political environment , that marks the life of the characters...... ============================================================================== =============================================================================== MOVIE NEWS Future Possible Projects on the Horizon IMAGINING ARGENTINA Antonio Banderas finalizes his return to Spain with the filming of a production from Hollywood Emma Thompson figures in the cast of this 'thriller ' on the missing in Argentina that will be filmed in Barcelona FRANCISCO GRIÑÁN MÁLAGA , Sur, Jan 16, 2002 found and posted by KC, initial interpretation by Clara Antonio Banderas prepares his professional return to Spain although, at the moment, that doesn't also imply his return to the national cinema. 'Imagining Argentina ' is the title of this project, an American 'thriller 'set in the country of the tango during the convulsive seventies. The filming is planned for next spring in Barcelona, although the unstable situation that is occurring currently in Argentina has upset the initial plans of the director Christopher Hampton ('Carrington '), and of the producers - among which Banderas himself figures - so that they now think about increasing the filming days in Spain, as this newspaper has confirmed from sources close to the interpreter. The co- starring role of the film has been offered to the British actress Emma Thompson. One decade. That is the time passed since Antonio Banderas filmed his last movie in Spain, 'Deprisa ', of Carlos Saura. Then he returned as a great star to the national cinema, after his participation in American films 'The mambo kings ' and 'Philadelphia ' (where he had a brief participation, next to Tom Hanks). In this case, the Malagueño actor's return has a very different shade, since it is an American production with Banderas in the 'role' of international star '. Nevertheless, the return of the interpreter to the national cinema has a title, 'Málaga in flames ', one of his most personal projects, although at the moment the problems with the rights of this story have halted its filming that would in fact be developed in the province. But before this project as director that continues without a date, Banderas's calendar continues incorporating interpretive offers, as is the case of 'Imagining Argentina ', where he also figure as coproducer - with Myriad Pictures and Tide Rock Entertainment - through his company Green Moon. The figure of the president Juan Domingo Perón and the Argentinean military junta occupy the context of this movie that mixes historical atmosphere with a supernatural story. The script is based on the same-named novel of the writer Lawrence Thronton that published this work at the end of the eighties. One decade and half later, 'Imagining Argentina ' has become the first part of a successful editorial trilogy, next to 'Naming the Spirits ' and 'Tales from the Blue Archives'. From Chile to Argentina 'Imagining Argentina ' is a project that the film director Oliver Parker wanted to take to the screen ( starring Andy García and, later, of Richard Gere), although his leaving the production opened the doors to his British colleague Christopher Hampton who also has taken charge of the literary adaptation. After linking Banderas to the project, the film director offered the costarring role to Emma Thompson, with whom he worked already in her previous film, 'Carrington '. the actress's definitive confirmation and the filming date would advance the collaboration between Thompson and the Spanish actor, since both had already been united in a postponed project 'sine die ', 'Jara ', the biography of the ill-fated Chilean singer-songwriter. Paradoxically, a story related to the military repression in South America has crossed in the career of these two actors again. The synopsis of 'Imagining Argentina ' presents a theatrical author (Banderas) who has the power of predicting the future of people. The imminent missing persons of the Argentinean military junta parade before the gaze of this man who will have to use those powers in his own benefit when his wife, a journalist (Thompson), is kidnapped. This film will also be the second Argentinean role'' for the Malagueño, after his involvement in the mammoth production 'Evita ' (1996). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Banderas's new filming, 'Imagining Argentina ', will have Spanish production F. G. D. MÁLAGA Diario Sur, Jan 24, 2002 (Found by KC, translation by Clara) In Response To: Re: Imagining Argentina (SusanLeigh) They never forget Antonio ...I,m soooo looking forward to this too KC... by the way ,thank you and thanks to Thuthanita also... this is my attempt to traslation: "The come back to Spain of Antonio Banderas with the shooting of "Imagining argentina" will have the participation in the production of the company "Cartel" by Eduardo Campoy , who confirmed the information Sur gave last week and also confirmed that the shooting will began in may in Barcelona , under the direction of Christopher Hampton and with Emma Thompson as a co-star. The hard situation of argentina has changed finally the shooting plans , that now will set mostly in spain,and now the studios will replace argentinian natural scenarios of this movie , that will also have british and american financing. Eduardo Campoy that is linked to antonio with his next project as a director , Malaga in Flames , thinks that it's very difficult that the movie will be made in the next future given that Antonio is having one of the best moments as an actor. " ============================================================================== ECKS VS SEVER Ecks & Sever Article Posted By: Di, 31 January 2002 From Playback Magazine: Vancouver: Not only does Vancouver get to host the action picture Ecks vs. Sever because of international security concerns, but now we get to play ourselves. The mid-range-budget picture - starring Lucy Liu and Antonio Banderas as rogue agents out to get each other - was originally set in Bangkok. But after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the production was moved back to North America to be closer to Los Angeles. Directed by Kaos, a Thai making his Hollywood debut, the film is being shot with wide angles and old-fashioned physical effects - meaning that the location is integral to the story and computer graphics will not be used to enhance, for instance, the explosions. (Interestingly, producer Chris Lee's last project Final Fantasy was done entirely in CG.) Adding authenticity to the sets, meanwhile, is Vancouver-based production designer Douglas Higgins (They, Devil Wore a Skirt). The entire shoot is on location; no studios are keeping crews from Vancouver's winter rain. The film also stars Talisa Soto (who worked with Banderas on Mambo Kings), Gregg Henry (Body Double), Miguel Sandoval (Blow) and Vancouver actor Terry Chen (Almost Famous). Ecks vs. Severs is a Franchise Pictures production with Warner Bros. distributing. Production runs until the end of March. Not since Sharon Stone's feature Intersection, made in 1994, has Vancouver had a starring role in a major Hollywood production. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A little Ecks news - but not much Posted By: KC, 28 January 2002 This is the only thing at any of the Vancouver news sites since production started. From the Vancouver Sun web site: Also currently in production is the action-adventure Ecks vs. Sever, starring Liu and Banderas as battling spies in . . . Vancouver. The city actually plays itself in the feature, the North American debut of Thai director Kaos. On a quieter note is the romantic comedy A Guy Thing with Julia Stiles and Jason Lee, which wraps in February. David Nicksay, that movie's L.A.-based producer, was last in B.C. making Antitrust in 1999. "It seemed busier to me this time," Nicksay says. "You see more people from Los Angeles in the lobby of the Sutton Place than you do in the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel." And the heavy Hollywood traffic isn't just in hotel lobbies. Nicksay recalls a morning earlier this month when he drove out to the set and ended up at the wrong one. "I pulled into our crew parking lot only to discover I was in the Antonio Banderas film parking lot, and our parking lot was on the other side of B.C. Place. We were a block apart." Vancouver Sun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Caroline Ross To Cut 'Ecks Vs. Sever' By Erin Lauten January 29, 2002 Editor Caroline Ross will edit "Ecks Vs. Sever," the English-language debut of director Wych Kaosayananda (aka Kaos). Production is currently under way in Vancouver, British Columbia, and will also include locations in Thailand. Warner Bros. expects to release the film in November. "Ecks Vs. Sever" is the story of lifelong adversaries, FBI agent Jonathan Ecks (Antonio Banderas) and notorious female assassin Sever (Lucy Liu), who discover -- while they are trying to kill each other -- that they share a common enemy. The cast also includes Gregg Henry and Ray Park. Ross's other credits include "Super Mario Bros.," "Blue Tiger," "Wedding Bell Blues," "Starship Troopers," "Dungeons & Dragons" and the upcoming "Emmett's Mark." ============================================================================== MASK OF ZORRO SEQUEL sequel of Zorro Posted By: Clara Date: Sunday, 13 January 2002. In Reforma paper they say that Columbia pictures has been making contacts with the mexican national comission of locations(?) to get facilities to shoot the Zorro sequel this year in Mexico. Sergio Molina , president of the national comission of locations says that nothing is sure yet about the movie being shooted in Mexico, given that they have made contacts also with Canada to shoot there , and now they are making decitions about it . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ jan 12, 2002, Reforma They want the 'Zorro' of Banderas Sergio Molina, president of the National Commission of Locations, considered that this year Mexico could be again one of the places preferred by the Meca of the even Cinema to film its productions By CAESAR / Group Reforma Mexico City (12 January 2002). - For second consecutive year, the Spanish actor Antonio Banderas could be again in Mexico, if it is made certain the filming in national lands of the second part of The Mask of Zorro, reported Sergio Molina , president of the National Commission of Locations. Antonio Banderas has acted in six productions in Mexico; one of them was 'Original Sin'. In accordance with the official, the Columbia Studios has approached to know the facilities that it would be involved to be in Mexico, although the same has been done in other countries. "There is not anything sure, we were already asked what it is that we offer and we hope it will be interesting to them. The same thing that they have done with us they have done in Canada and right now they are deciding, God willing they will choose us", the official commented. "That which I can say it is that this project and that of Zapata (of Alfonso Arau) are the only ones whose talks are most advanced", Molina added. The first part of The Mask of Zorro, starring Banderas and Anthony Hopkins, was filmed in 1997 in the States of Sonora and Hidalgo, but on this occasion they would require different places, according to the petition of the producer. "The idea of filming the movie's sequel in Mexico, is from what ended the first one. Time has now passed, it is certain, but that's the way things go, one can be sure of nothing", he commented. Molina said he did not know the probable cast of The Mask..., since this is known until it is accepted to film in Mexico. In the event of the film being made, this would be the sixth movie that Banderas would make in the Aztec land, because previously he did Original Sin together with Angelina Jolie; The Mask of Zorro, with Catherine Z. Jones; Desperado, Frida and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, these two last realized last year. During his stay in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, half of the 2001, the husband of Melanie Griffith was recognized in the city of Bajíoas as a calm and pleasant person that didn't miss an opportunity to sign autographs and to greet people. Molina considered that this year Mexico could be again one of the places preferred by the Meca of the Cinema to film its productions, after some projects were postponed after the terrorist attacks in New York. However, he pointed, they will give bigger facilities to the foreign productions, as fiscal incentives, so that it becomes an option difficult to forget. He explained that in countries like Canada and Spain foreign producers are charged a percentage in their first movie, but for the following one they are paid that contribution. "It is something that one has to do not to be at a disadvantage with other countries. For the time being it will reactivate an international film id , with which the members of a production can cross the frontier without so many tariff processes. Mexico has subscribed to that document from 1992 and it will be now when it is reactivated again", hen emphasized. Molina added that at the moment it is being, by means of the Secretary of Tourism that the productions cause rate zero, what would imply a bigger attractiveness for the investors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ZETA JONES' DEAL INCLUDES ZORRO SEQUEL Posted By: Robin, 18 January 2002 Baby ban is part of Pounds 54m Zeta-Jones film deal The Times (London) CATHERINE ZETA-JONES has landed a Pounds 54 million Hollywood deal that makes her the highest paid British actress - and stops her extending her family for three years. She has signed an agreement to make nine films for various studios, but the deal will fall if she becomes pregnant before 2005. Miss Zeta-Jones and her husband, Michael Douglas, have one son, Dylan Michael, who will be two in August, and they have spoken of their desire to have more children. The next three years will be hectic for her, starting with the role of Velma Kelly in the film version of the musical Chicago opposite Richard Gere. She will also play Maria Callas and Elizabeth Taylor in bio-pics. Her co-stars will include George Clooney, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Russell Crowe and her husband. The package, which includes a sequel to The Mask of Zorro, covers all kinds of film from musical to comedy, a courtroom drama - and even a voiceover for a full-length animated version of Sinbad. ------------------------------------------ Report Denied at Dark Horizons Posted By: Carla, 18 January 2002 ... Then today her publicist confirmed to Reuters that no such deal is in place - "There is no truth to it. Nobody does a nine-picture deal. It must have been a slow news day (in Britain)". Zeta-Jones is currently working on the film adaptation of "Chicago" which is the ONLY film she's officially attached to right now. Thanks to 'Victor'. ============================================================================== SPY KIDS 2 Posted By: KC, 14 January 2002 From USA today, via Dark Horizons. There's a picture at USA Today, but it's Alexa and Daryl. DH also has a link back here to the Comment Board, specifically to the El M photo. ! 01/11/2002 - Updated 07:49 AM ET Impending growth spurts put the lid on 'Spy Kids' By Scott Bowles, USA Today Robert Rodriguez would love to turn Spy Kids into a Bond-style series. There's just one problem. "The actors are not going to be kids much longer." The director says the sequel, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, is easier to shoot. "We established them as spies in the first one, so they can jump right into the action," Rodriguez says. "We can give them better gadgets, put them in wilder situations, even tell the president what to do." Alexa Vega, 13, and Daryl Sabara, 9, still fill the bill as spy kids in Island, which hits theaters Aug. 7, but they are on the verge of growth spurts. "I'd like to do 20 films with them, but they're getting big," Rodriguez says. "Maybe I'll come back in six years and do Spy Teenagers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FEMME FATALE A LITTLE FEMME FATALE INFO Posted By: Di, 24 January 2002 There is a discussion at the forum section of briandepalma.net regarding the distribution & release of Femme Fatale this year. KC found this posted by Bill Fentum, the owner of the site and thought everyone who is waiting breathlessly to see Nicolas would want to see it! ******* Guys, here's some information I just got from FF assistant director/associate producer Chris Soldo. I've passed our thanks along to him! The movie's financing and production entity, Quinta, finalized their distribution deal for France January 1st. The Berlin Festival idea has gone away, as well as an idea to launch the film in France in conjunction with the month-long career retrospective for Brian at the "Centre Pompidou et du Musée National d'Art Moderne" which begins in February. Latest rumor is that the film will open in France in May and be also shown at the Cannes Film Festival (one year after we filmed there). For the U.S., Quinta has always wanted to wait until the film was completely finished before trying to set a domestic distribution deal. The film wasn't completely done until a few weeks ago and my information is that the only existing print is coming to the U.S. next week to be seen by a select number of U.S. studios. When the film comes out here will depend on what studio picks it up, their existing "slate" of films already committed for release, and their opinion as to how to best market and time a release for the U.S. audiences. I doubt that it will be seen here until the Fall at the earliest. Patience everyone!!! I hear it will be worth the wait. Chris Soldo ============================================================================== BANDERAS LOSES PHANTOM ROLE Travolta to don the mask? , PeopleNews, January 8, 2002 Antonio Banderas has lost his role in the long-awaited Phantom of the Opera film due to his recent string of box-office flops. The Spanish actor had long been tipped to play the Phantom, saying, 'I know Phantom like I wrote it.' However, the real writer, Lord Lloyd-Webber, despite being a fan of Banderas, is now looking for a more bankable actor to take the role of the tragic anti-hero. John Travolta is said to be the next favourite, although a spokeswoman for the composer insisted, 'No casting decisions have been made at all.' Welsh teenager Charlotte Church is the hot favourite to take the lead female role of Christine. Posted 08 January 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BANDERAS LOSES PHANTOM ROLE? Monday, January 7, 2002 WENN reports that Antonio Banderas has lost his role in the film version of "Phantom Of The Opera". According to the trade, Banderas was keen to work with the 'Phantom's' creator Andrew Lloyd Webber, but has now been side-lined due to his recent string of box-office flops. While musical genius Lloyd-Webber is a massive fan of Banderas, he believes he needs a more bankable movie star to play the tragic anti-hero portrayed by British actor Michael Crawford on stage. Last March an eager Banderas was enthusing about the role. He gushed, "I know Phantom like I wrote it - not just Phantom but practically everything that Andrew wrote. Two weeks ago, Andrew called me. He was very excited on the phone and said: 'Antonio, we got it. We've got the script that we want to have. And I wrote the new music I wanted to write.'" The trade goes on to say that John Travolta is now said to be keen to take the part, but a spokeswoman for the composer says, "No casting decisions have been made at all." =============================================================================== ============================================================================== INTERVIEWS MALAGA'S LATIN LOVER Profile Of Antonio http://easyjetinflightcom.readyhosting.com/features/dec01/banderas.htm found by KC ANTONIO BANDERAS - MALAGA'S LATIN LOVER - January 2002 Jose Antonio Dominguez Banderas, the man who turned down Madonna, has opened a chain of bodegas called La Posada de Antonio, in and around Malaga. Who knows, you might just find him there one night. Maria Camino looks at the career of the sexy Latin lover. When the news broke on 30 November 2001 that actor Antonio Banderas would be the first to receive the newly created Anthony Quinn Achievement Award, cheers were heard throughout Andalucia. Banderas is an enormous source of pride to Malagueños who accord him the same celebrity as artist Pablo Picasso. He laughs when I mention this. "Picasso is really representative, I am not. He was one of the biggest geniuses of the twentieth century and we are talking about something that is beyond what I can be. I'm more humble than that." Humble he is; nevertheless, no one can deny the impact his talent and smouldering looks have made on the movie industry. Not since the day of the silent screen, when Rudolph Valentino had women swooning in their seats, has a Latino caused such a furor amongst cinema-goers the world over. Handsome, sexy and with an undeniable boy-next-door charm, Banderas burst onto the international scene in 1992 as a Cuban trumpet player in Mambo Kings, a difficult role as, at that time, his entire English vocabulary consisted of yes, no, please and thank you. Learning his lines phonetically, he put in a performance that made people sit up and take notice. Starting All Over Again Apart from being a master of his craft, Banderas, then thirty-two, had the essential element that turns unknowns into stars - the camera loved him. Audiences, directors and producers, too, a sweet reward for leaving Spain as a respected performer to arrive on the other side of the Atlantic as an unknown and having to start all over again in a town where roles are difficult to get and competition stiff. But above all, leaving family and friends was hardest for Banderas. "That was a big sacrifice for me as I am very family-orientated and Malaga means everything to me. I love the capital, because all my memories are there, images that are very old, the architecture, the fountains, the horses and carriages, walking through the narrow, cobbled streets near the cathedral, stopping for a glass or two of wine in the bars and bodegas. I particularly like the side of Malaga which is not so popular amongst the foreigners who come here. They go more to the coast, to enjoy the beach and the mountains, whatever. But I just love the smell of the city, the pine trees, the sea, everything that has to do with the senses. This includes the pageantry, the processions at Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week), the Malaga Feria, when streets are filled with people singing and dancing," he says almost ruefully, knowing that his celebrity status means he can never mingle in a crowd unnoticed. When the time came to leave Malaga, it was a wrench, yet it marked the culmination of years of hard work. Since the age of fifteen he'd only one goal in mind: to act. At one stage he thought about becoming a lawyer, a veterinary surgeon, even a footballer, but a broken foot put paid to a sporting career. When Hair came to Malaga, a teenage Banderas sat in the darkened auditorium, fascinated, marvelling at the screen, the dancers, the energy they generated. Suddenly, acting, with all its rituals, held more appeal than anything he could dream of. At first, his parents were horrified and tried to discourage their son, pointing out the vagaries of an actor's life. Ana Banderas, a pragmatic teacher, wanted him to have stability, far from the angst-filled days of waiting for he phone to ring. Eventually she and her husband relented, Banderas was enrolled at the Malaga School of Dramatic Arts and there he stayed for four years, a star in the making. Interviewed much later, his drama coach admitted that it was apparent from day one that the young Malaguenan was going places. His looks, his eagerness, his ability to change roles like a chameleon and get inside the skin of a character set him apart from the rest. In 1981, Banderas went to Madrid hoping for that big break. Initially he waited on tables in bars and cafés, did a bit of modelling - the usual story. His luck changed after meeting the daughter of a well-known actor who helped him get an audition at Spain's National Theatre, where he would stay for five years. Few cinema-goers realise that Banderas is a veteran, with a wealth of stage experience under his belt. When an actor comes from the theatre, the thought of appearing in film, a totally different medium, is far from his mind unless, of course, someone comes along with a meaty role. In Banderas' case it was the controversial Spanish director Pedro Almodovar who came, saw and offered him a part in Labyrinth of Passion, a tale of punks, transvestites and prostitutes, later contracting him for another four films: Matador, Law of Desire, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! - controversial movies which, in the case of Law of Desire, roused such passions that Banderas received death threats on his answering machine. Working Non-stop In between working with Almodovar he made other films with different directors. Then Hollywood beckoned. While Mambo Kings did no to well at the box office, it was lucky for the young Spaniard. From then on there was no turning back. One year later, his role as Tom Hanks' gay lover in Philadelphia cemented his success. In Interview with a Vampire his mouth-to-mouth kiss with Brad Pitt drew comments but, unlike Tom Cruise, no one has ever seriously questioned Banderas' sexuality. House of Spirits with Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons, Evita with Madonna, during which he famously spurned her attentions, informing her that he was "a married man", and the Mask of Zorro with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta Jones, for which he studied fencing with the US National Olympic Team, proved to audiences that Banderas was not only talented but versatile. His first starring role, In Robert Rodriguez's Desperado, led to a film partnership with the maverick director. The turning point came with Two Much, where he met actress Melanie Griffith. "Both of us were in relationships that were not working out. Melanie was married to Don Johnson and I was with Ana Leza (his wife of nine years)." Long hours on the set, the closeness that develops between two people in the same circumstances, sealed it. They fell in love. Later t hey married and he went on to direct her in Crazy in Alabama through their production company, Green Moon Productions. While Banderas considers that the experience "strengthened our marriage as we had the opportunity at home, every night, of working side by side and planning the following day", there is little likelihood of their appearing together in front of the cameras again. "No matter how deep you go into the movie or how big the issue, it becomes like a magazine on-screen if Melanie and I are in it together," he says. Spy High Last year, following the box-office success of Spy Kids, a low-budget espionage extravaganza that made $27.5 million in one weekend alone shortly after its release, he made Original Sin, Femme Fatale and the sequel to Desperado, Once Upon A Time In Mexico. Then came a cameo role in The Body, starring Salma Hayek as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and Johnny Stampanato, in which he plays Lana Turner's lover who was killed by her daughter. This year looks as if it will be equally as hectic. Upcoming movies include Warner Bros' The Phantom Of The Opera, Disney's Eliano Zapata as well as Tarantula. A film documenting Banderas' version of the life of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, including the events surrounding his death, is also scheduled for 2002. With customary modesty, Banderas seems surprised at his worldwide success. Did he ever imagine that it would get to the point where he could not go out of the house without cameras flashing and gangs of paparazzi chasing him and Melanie down the street? "No, no, no, no! When I left Malaga and went to Madrid, I thought I was going to be eating my lunch in the fifth row of the Theatre de la Zarzuela. I never expected this. It's true that I have been in the business a long time (27 years) and even though I feel that this was meant to happen, in reality I have no reason to think that way. Neither should I take it for granted, it's not like that. It has been a lot of hard work. It still is, the competition in Hollywood is crazy." Banderas the Businessman Now aged 41 and with 50 movies to his credit, a European Film Award for his achievement in world cinema, Banderas was also voted one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in 1996 by People magazine. However, he is only too aware that while today you are at the top, someone younger, sexier and more photogenic is out there waiting to take your place tomorrow. An astute businessman with his own brands of perfume, wine and olive oil, he has now opened a chain of restaurant-bodegas, La Posada de Antonio, in and around Malaga (check out the one in Malaga's swinging Plaza Uncibay). Last year, in a moving ceremony televised worldwide, Antonio Banderas was named Malaga's Native Son. Accompanied by Melanie and their five-year-old daughter Stella Carmen, he received the keys to the city from the mayor to rousing cheers from the huge crowd who had turned out to see the local boy who became an international star. For this sentimental Andaluz, who enjoys good food, wine, sailing on TAU Ceramica with his brother Javier, the simple pleasures of his native city, and seemingly has it all - a successful career, beautiful wife and family - only one thing is missing: to spend more time in Malaga and at his Marbella mansion with family and friends. Malaga means everything to Banderas. "The man without roots is nothing." To understand why Malaga means so much to Antonio Banderas, walk the city, discover its history, starting with the magnificent 16th century cathedral, the Alcazabar and ancient monuments documenting the different civilisations that lived here, Picasso'' birthplace in Plaza de la Merced. But that is only one side to this fascinating capital, known for its tapas bars, bodegas and endless fun. Visit La Posada de Antonio in Plaza Uncibay to sample the pulsating nightlife and the square in Calle Beatas where the rhythms of salsa, flamenco, Latin pop and Cuban rock at Le OJ, Congo Bongo and Tabu beat out until the early hours of the morning. Then follow everyone to the little cafés near the market for chocolate and churros. Celebrity-spot in Antonio Martin, Malaga's emblematic restaurant at the edge of the Mediterranean, known for its seafood, or in the tiny chiringuitos lining the beach that serve the freshest fish on the coast, and the wine bars hidden away in the centre's back streets. =============================================================================== MELANIE Melanie's First Peek Posted By: Robin, 25 January 2002 1/25/02 Tempo Hello My Friends, Remember, Valentines Day is next month! I am off to see my beautiful husband in Canada, where he is shooting a movie. Then I will be going to France to film a new movie called Tempo. I have other projects coming up and I will let you know about them as soon as I have something to tell! I hope everyone is doing very well in this New Year and that you are sticking to your resolutions. Speaking of resolutions, at 5am Pacific Time there is a great yoga class on the Oxygen channel! Check it out! Lots of love, Melanie PS- I love what's going on, on the message board! Love to you all! xoxox ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TEMPO YESSSS!! Great New Flick for Melanie!! Posted By: Robin, 10 January 2002 HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Rachael Leigh Cook, Melanie Griffith and Hugh Dancy will topline the jewelry heist feature ``Tempo'' for helmer Eric Styles (``Dreaming of Joseph Lees''). Cook will play an American who goes to Paris to work in a jewelry shop, where she meets Griffith's and Dancy's characters, who are planning a heist of the store. Lensing is slated for February in Paris and Luxembourg. Cook recently wrapped ``American Crime'' opposite Kip Pardue. Dancy co-stars in ``Black Hawk Down.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YONKERS JOE YESSSSS!! 2nd new film for Melanie and Green Moon Posted By: Robin Date: Tuesday, 15 January 2002, at 1:30 p.m. I don't know much about this one but I will be looking for info: THE PROJECT: YONKER'S JOE By DANA HARRIS PARK CITY -- Davis Entertainment Classics, the independent film branch of John Davis' 20th Century Fox-based Davis Entertainment, has changed its moniker to Davis Entertainment Filmworks. Also in the mix is Robert Celestino's "Yonkers Joe," which Filmworks will be producing with Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas' Green Moon Prods. Griffith also will star. ------------------------------------------ CAAN CO-STARS Posted By: Robin, 15 January 2002 Mr. Celestino is currently in development with his next feature "Yonkers Joe", starring James Caan as a hardened, yet likeable grifter intent on taking down a major score in Atlantic City. The story focuses on a small time card(Caan) and dice hustler(Melanie Griffith, whose company Green Moon will co-produce) and his mentally challenged son. It portrays the gritty, hard edged world of gambling cheats and the outlandish characters that inhabit it ------------------------------------------ THIRD NEW FILM FOR MELANIE Posted By: Robin, 25 January 2002 OKAY CHICAS, get this....besides, Tempo and Yonkers Joe, a third project for Melanie is in the works called "The Night we called it a Day": Ananova Melanie Griffith to play Sinatra-obsessed fan in comedy drama Melanie Griffith is to play a woman obsessed with her idol Frank Sinatra in a new comedy drama. The Night We Called It A Day is set during Sinatra's controversial visit to Australia for a 1974 concert. John Turturro is expected to play Griffith's wife ["Wife"? They mean "husband," I hope] in the film, which will be shot in Sydney and New York. Michael Thomas is directing the film from a script he has co-written with Peter Clifton. An insider told Ananova: "Melanie's character is totally infatuated with Sinatra and when she actually gets to meet him, he finds her irresistible." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TIPPI IN Hello Magazine. Jan 29th. Posted By: Alison, 26 January 2002\ Hello Magazine has another interview with Tippi Hedren - and four pictures of Melanie, two of them riding the elephant, Timbo. (Robin - I don't know if you've seen the pics or not, and my scanner's broken, but if you can get hold of a copy, she's in there looking GOOOOOOD!!!) The interview only mentions Antonio once and says: Q: Your daughter Melanie and son-in-law Antonio Banderas are big names in Hollywood. Tell us something about them as people. A: I am fortunate to have a very very beautiful family. Antonio and Melanie are not only physically beautiful, but they are really beautiful people. She has been very fortunate that Antonio fell in love with her. Their children are also gorgeous, and little Stella is adorable. They are all very beautiful spriritual people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MELANIE AND ANTONIO'S NEWEST CHARITY Posted By: Robin, 2 February 2002 At www.melaniegriffith.com at Goddess Giving Melanie talks about a new charity that she and Antonio has become involved with, along with Penelope Cruz and Tom Cruise.....there are some new pictures there that I haven't seen before.....here is what Melanie had to say: SABERA Foundation I want to share with you all an incredible organization that Antonio and I have recently become involved with. It's called the SABERA Foundation, and its mission is to alleviate the deprivation and exploitation of Calcutta's poorest and most often abandoned: girls. As in some other Eastern cultures, female children in India are often cast aside, as women are considered inferior to men in patriarchal societies. The streets of Calcutta are teeming with children either abandoned by their parents or forced to beg for money and food, and in some cases prostitute themselves, to support their families. The SABERA Foundation is committed to making a difference in these young girl's lives, by providing safe shelter, proper nutrition, and education. Antonio and I were introduced to the Foundation by Penelope Cruz, who is a longtime friend of Antonio's. She and Tom Cruise recently hosted a screening of a documentary on SABERA in Los Angeles, and it was a heartrending testament to the suffering of these girls. Penelope was introduced to the organization by noted Spanish musician Nacho Cano, who has made helping these girls his life's work. In fact, the Foundation is named after the first little girl Nacho saved from the streets. Penelope brought two more of the girls, Madhumita and Mongoli (who Penelope herself sponsors) to Los Angeles for the event, and Antonio and I had the pleasure of spending time with them in our home. In just a few years, SABERA has opened two schools in Calcutta's most desperate slums, created three medical clinics, and started several feeding programs. They have opened a shelter, called Kalitala, which safely houses girls from infancy to 10 years old. The children also have access to a computer center, a sewing and design school, and even a music academy. My sister Tracy and I are putting together a CD, the profits from which will benefit the SABERA Foundation. We are actively recruiting the biggest stars in popular music to contribute to the CD, which will feature the beautiful voices of the girls receiving help from the SABERA Foundation. Check back here for updates on the progress of the CD. I urge you all to take a moment to find out more about the SABERA Foundation's incredible work at their website. There you'll find information on how to donate funds, sponsor a child, or volunteer in India. In these difficult times, it is so very important that we all do what we can to reach across cultural differences to help those in the greatest need. Much love, Melanie xoxoxo =============================================================================== FROM MALAGA AND SPAIN AB MOTORCYCLIST SPONSOR Wednesday, 23 January 2002 This story was found my KC in Mundo Deportivo. Thanks, KC, for more great detective work! I translated Mundial as World Cup which is what it would be if we were talking soccer. Mundial means worldwide so whatever we would call the highest competitive level of the sport is what it is. Motorcycling The popular actor will sponsor Álvaro Bautista in his jump at 125 cc. Antonio Banderas enters into the World cup Gemma Rodés • BARCELONA • The young rider Álvaro Bautista, a kid of 16 years from Talavera de la Reina, will jump this next season to the World of 125 cc. with the support of Antonio Banderas. The sought-after Malagueño actor, an enthusiast of motorcycles and the owner of a Harley Davidson that his wife Melanie Griffith gave him last year the, has consented to support Bautista in world cup baptism. The team will to be called Team Antonio Banderas MMC Racing Ligeois Competition, an Andalucian setup that will prepare Hondas with 'kit' and in which the Japanese Masao Azuma will run also. The contact arrived by chance and through Banderas's lawyer. "I know Antonio's lawyer and one day I commented to him that I was looking for resources so that Álvaro could run the World cup. Banderas is an enthusiast of motorcycles and the idea interested him", explains Manolo Morente, the young rider'smánager. Álvaro Bautista didn't know about his luck until last week. "When he mounted the motorcycle of Azuma he began to see something strange. He asked me and I told him that I only wanted that he test it to see if we could bring it to run the CEV and he swallowed. But a couple of days later he read something on the internet and I had to tell it. I didn't want him to build up hopes ahead of time", says Morente ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANA BANDERAS ACKNOWLEDGES MISSING HER SON A LOT MADRID, (EUROPA PRESS), January 3, 2002 Ana Banderas went this week to a fashion show of the designer José Pedro Tapioca's clothes. The mother of the well-known Antonio Banderas defined herself as a follower of the designs of this creator who has "a style for all women, very discreet." Ana Banderas told us that the designer had made on one occasion a suit for Melanie. In spite of being happy seeing the dresses on the runway, the Malagueño actor's mother admitted to being a little sad for not having been able to spend Christmas with her son and his family because Antonio has spent the Christmas in California skiing. Ana explained to us reason they have moved to United States to spend these fiestas with Antonio, Melanie and the little Estela del Cármen: "It is a very long trip and he begins to film a movie in Canada in January. It was not worthwhile." =============================================================================== Miscellaneous Topics SHOES Posted By: KC, 3 January 2002 This is from a site called FashionAvenue; keep reading (and it's right up Di's alley, lol): What Do Billy Bob, Ben Bratt & Banderas Have in Common? These Shoes ... By Elizabeth Snead Fashion Wire Daily - Benjamin Bratt has been making headlines lately, winning acclaim for his performance in the title of "Pinero" and stirring gossip with his new arm candy. Notoriety drove poet Miguel Pinero to disappear into New York's seedy streets. But Bratt certainly hasn't disappeared after the very public breakup with Julia Roberts. In fact, the handsome hunk showed up at the "Pinero" New York premiere arm-in-arm with his luscious Latina costar, Talisa Soto. But enough about Bratt's love life. Check out his shoes! Bratt is one of a growing group of well-dressed male stars such as Antonio Banderas, Enrique Iglesias and Conan O'Brien who are proudly sporting a new men's shoe called Gordon Rush. It seems like once a guy sees another guy wearing Gordon Rush shoes, he's gotta have them. "Bratt had seen someone wearing the Las Vegas II square-toed demi-boot, and after we sent him the shoes, he called the offices and left a really nice, long phone message thanking us and telling us how much he loved them," says Allan Gordon, 30, who co-owns the Gordon Rush company with his brother, Kevin, 26. When John Ritter was performing in Neil Simon's play "The Dinner Party" on Broadway, he wore Gordon Rush's double-zippered Las Vegas boots. "A producer on 'The Conan O'Brien Show' couldn't keep his eyes off them, and he called us up to get a pair," says Alan. "Then Conan spotted them and called to get his own pair." Banderas, who ordered a pair of the Peninsula ($195), an oblique,semi- square-toed leather boot with a rubber sole, to be sent to his suite at The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, was as effusive as Bratt. "He was one of the first stars to wear our shoes, and he sent a hand-written note saying they fit like a glove," says Kevin. Billy Bob Thornton is the newest star on their list. He just ordered a pair of their chocolate-brown suede Palermo chukka boots. And Barry Manilow is sporting a selection of Gordon Rush shoes on his current U.S. and European comeback tour. Even Regis ("Millionaire") Philbin, who could certainly afford Gucci and Prada, sports Gordon Rush all the time on the air. When Sarah Jessica Parker was on his talk show discussing her "Sex and the City" character's Manolo Blahnik shoe fetish, Philbin lifted up his feet and said, "What about mine? They're Gordon Rush!" If you have never heard of these guys, don't feel too out of the loop. They're so darn new, they don't even advertise in GQ yet. The company was founded by the two brothers in 1996, and they struggled for a few years to find financing and the finest artisans. "To be honest, we were living in a shack on beans. Everyone was saying, 'Go do something conventional!'" But the brothers didn't listen and instead opened their first boutique in San Diego's Westfield Shopping Town. They were quickly noticed by Nordstrom, which now stocks their full shoe line in stores across the U.S. Now not only are the brothers planning more boutiques but they'll soon branch out to Japan. What's the secret to these shoes? Not only are they stylish, they are also priced to sell. Gordon Rush's finely crafted Italian styles range from clean classic to fashion-forward, for $185 to $235. Their sportier Rush line features sturdy, rugged boots and trendy, bowling-inspired casual shoes for $160-$185. And just in case you're wondering how the stars size up shoe-wise, Benjamin Bratt wears a size 12, Billy Bob Thornton is an 11, and Regis Philbin takes an 8. "He has a small foot," says Allan. So now you know. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MORE SHOES PoughkeepsieJournal_com - Good Life In Fashion & Shopping Shoes match many styles Whether the style is classic, modern or sporty, look to walk in a pair of Gordon Rush's shoes. Rush's Italian-made boots include styles like the Vegas II ($195). This classic style boasts a double zip, square toe and according to Tom Julian, a trend analyst with Fallon Worldwide, can be worn with jeans, a leather jacket or suit with a T-shirt. The Banderas ($180) is the sporty boot look by Rush. This urban-style shoe laces up at the ankle and is made with an leather upper and square toe. The Peninsula ($195) can be paired with a fitted shirt or a two-button, lean lapel suit. For more information, visit www.nordstrom.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "BIOGRAPHY" MAGAZINE Posted By: Linda, 14 January 2002 Antonio appears twice in the February edition of "Biography" Magazine. Small clips, but cute. One was an article & pictures for Valentine's Day asking "what's your ideal romantic meal?" Antonio's response was, "When Melanie and I are eating paella and sitting on the balcony of our bedroom in Spain. We can actually see Africa -- what could be more romantic?" (Mmmm . . . what a visual!) The other clip shows pictures of on-screen couples and their real life loves. For Antonio there was a picture of him and Angelina in the "bathtub" scene of Original Sin while above were pictures of Angelina & Billy Bob and Antonio & Melanie together. ================================================================================ ============================================================================ JUST GOSSIP Sighting Posted By: Lorraine, Thursday, 31 January 2002 One of the radio stations in town runs a "Star Spy Thursday" thing where folks who have seen a celebrity can phone in and tell their story and get tickets to a new release film and dinner coupons. Well, today a lady phoned in and said she saw Melanie and Antonio coming out of a shop on Granville Street and decided to follow them. They went into a Japanese restaurant and the lady and her friend decided they were hungry too and also went in...as luck would have it they were seated right beside our favorite couple and the tables are really close together. They said Antonio spoke to Melanie in Spanish and Melanie spoke English. When Melanie got up to go to the bathroom our Chica wannabe made eye contact with AB, he smiled and she asked him what he was doing in town, the weather, chit chat. She said she had a little trouble understanding him because his accent is quite strong, there was some mention that she could have gotten a little closer but would then have been sitting on his lap. She also stated that he is drop dead gorgeous and isn't Melanie a lucky lady. *I wasn't sure if I should post this, as it is so sneaky, but as I would have done the same if it had been me, I can't take the high road. It is wonderful to know that he is so pleasant and approachable when he is out and about; there was no mention of talking to Melanie, so I guess the friendly exchange ended before she got back to the table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MELANIE WARNED: STAY AWAY FROM YOUR EX! Star Magazine, January 3, 2002 Banderas sick of her paying for first hubby's rehab stays FURIOUS Antonio Banderas has stunned wife Melanie Griffith by warning that he will move their family from California to Spain if she doesn't boot ex-hubby Steven Bauer out of her life. Antonio loves Melanie, but he's fed up with her mooching ex. The Zorro star finally flipped, sources say, after he discovered that Griffith had shelled out thousands of dollars to send Bauer to drug rehab for the third time in a year. And then Bauer had the nerve to call her at home repeatedly for "counseling!" "Antonio's had it with Melanie subsidizing this guy," a source tells Star. "When Melanie told him she'd spent their money in one last bid to get Steven clean and sober, Antonio exploded. MELANIE'S EX-HUSBAND: Steven Bauer "He shouted at the top of his lungs: 'Why are we wasting our cash on this loser?'" Banderas, a native of Spain, freaked out when he discovered that his wife used their joint American Express platinum card to settle Bauer's rehab fees. "When the bill came in, Antonio blew his stack," the source reveals. "Melanie called him a tightwad. She can't understand his attitude. She'd give away her last cent to help a friend." Griffith, 44, and Bauer, 45, married in 1982. They have a son, Alexander, 16, who attends a private boarding school in Colorado and lives with his mother and Banderas during vacations. Griffith also has a daughter, Dakota, 12, with actor Don Johnson. She and Banderas, 41, her husband of five years, have a daughter, Stella, 5. He was seething three months ago after mutual friends let slip that Bauer was blabbing about Griffith's sex appeal. "She's the hottest lover I ever knew," he told one pal. Cuban-born Bauer, who had a role in the movie Traffic, has long battled a drug problem, including an addiction to cocaine and heroin, say sources. And Griffith, herself a rehab grad, has helped him every time he slipped. Banderas was still smarting from Griffith's decision five years ago to ask ex- husband Don Johnson to give down-on-his-luck Bauer a guest role on Nash Bridges. Johnson obliged. After Bauer's second stay in rehab, his luck changed. Last year, he was cast in the role of Carlos Cortez on the NBC series UC: Undercover. But when the series was canceled a few weeks ago, Bauer fell off the wagon, say sources. Griffith sent him to a facility in Florida in a last-ditch bid to get him clean and sober. And his all-expenses-paid trip to rehab was the last straw for Banderas, say pals. Although a rep for Banderas and Griffith says they both gladly paid for Bauer's rehab and have no intention of moving to Spain, sources say her present husband wants to put a halt to the gravy train. "Antonio told Melanie: 'This guy's a taker,'" says the family friend. "Then he stunned her by warning: 'I know how we'll lose him – we'll move to Spain!' Mel thought he was joking, but he assured her he was serious. "She loves Europe, but there's no way she wants to move 6,000 miles from Los Angeles." She may have no choice if she wants to stay married to Banderas. "She can either take a stand and nurse Steven," a family source says, "or face the prospect of uprooting everything and move with Antonio and the kids to Spain." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Antonio Frustrated on the Snow Slopes Posted By: Robin, 18 January 2002 -As Zorro, Antonio Banderas was a hero with a sword, but put a ski pole in his hand and he's a zero. Melanie Griffith recently convinced her handsome husband to take up skiing. Bad idea! He gave it his best shot, but left the slopes in a huff ? vowing never to return! The first day of their week-long Aspen, Colo., vacation was fine. Ski bunny Mel, 44, treated Antonio to a private instructor. But by day two, Antonio started getting frustrated because he was falling all the time. When day three rolled around, his EGO was hurting even more than his sore bottom. Finally, Antonio became so enraged he stormed off the slopes. Later, he gathered up Mel, their daughter Stella, 5, and Mel's other kids ? daughter Dakota, 12, with Don Johnson and son Alexander, 16, with Steven Bauer ? and left the Presidential suite of the St. Regis hotel for its new occupant ? Mariah Carey. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ More Catty Gossip -- THE New York Post reports that the latest Web site all the agents in Hollywood are checking daily is the "A List," which has a large register of celebrities and their quirks. Compiled by "someone who knows all," the list, at ratmmjess.tripod.com/gossip.html, includes: Jennifer Aniston ("has jealousy issues"), Antonio Banderas ("not the brightest bulb in the lamp"), Matt Damon ("cracking under pressure of fame, the little punk"), Rose McGowan ("exhibitionist"), Tim Robbins ("boy toy of Susan Sarandon") and Harvey Weinstein ("hard to work for"). Also listed are movie types who tend to get into feuds, topped by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Spike Lee. But it's not all negative. Dolly Parton, Rob Zombie, Henry Winkler and George Clooney are all described as "very nice people." ============================================================================== ============================================================================== ANTHONY QUINN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Posted By: Di, 18 January 2002 Just passing along what is posted at the Gala Party section of the website for the Providence Festival of New Latin American Cinema regarding the award Antonio will be receiving.... Opening Gala Party The Providence Festival of New Latin American Cinema requests the honor of your presence at the Tenth Festival black tie gala event. Please join our distinguished guests from the Latin America film world for hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and live entertainment on the 17th floor of the Biltmore Hotel starting at 9:00pm, Friday, April 19,2002. The Festival will honor Mr. Antonio Banderas with the first Anthony Quinn Achievement Award in Film and the Arts. Doors will open at 8:00pm; open bar from 8:00pm- 9:00pm. Please note that the Festival opens with a screening at 6:00pm at the Hoyt's Theater, Providence Place. Minimum donation $125.00 per person.Corporate tables for $1500 (table of 10) Call(401)741-2991 or (401)454-6478, by April 1, 2002 for tickets. Seating is limited http://www.angelfire.com/ri/newlaff/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PARIS FILM FESTIVAL Paris fest to fete Spain; taps Adjani honorary topper Jan. 29, 2002, Hollywood Reporter PARIS -- The 17th Paris Film Festival will this year honor Spanish cinema, with Madrid selected as the city that will send an industry delegation for the April 1-9 event, organizers said Monday. Pedro Almodovar, Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem, Carmen Maura and Carlos Saura are among the invited talent. Last year's festival put Rome and Italian cinema in the spotlight, while the inaugural city to be honored at the Paris event was Los Angeles in 2000. Under the aegis of Paris' new socialist mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, the festival is trying to shake off its reputation as an event for the Parisian industry elite. This year's fest will be decentralized to theaters away from its base on the ritzy Champs Elysees. The short film festival will take place at the canal-side MK2 multiplex in a working-class eastern district of Paris. The festival is hoping to attract around 150,000 spectators across the planned 250 screenings.(Charles Masters) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ORIGINIAL SIN UNRATED Posted By: Lisa, 22 January 2002 I just pre-ordered my copy of the unrated version of Original Sin at amazon.com! Just click on the DVD section and type in Original Sin. Of course, you can order the R version if you want (yeah, right, like any of us are going to click that button!!). OS on DVD Posted By: Denise, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 In case you were wondering what the difference in the two versions...I just found this at Upcomingdisc.com: Original Sin will be released on both an R rated and Unrated (with 12 minutes of additional footage) versions. Both versions are presented in aramorphic widescreen (The theatrical cut also includes a pan and scan version) along with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track. You will most likely want to by-pass the rated version, because other than the theatrical trailers, all other special features are found only on the unrated edition - an audio commentary with director Michael Cristofer, an animated still gallery and a Gloria Estefan music video. ============================================================================== OTHERS SAY OTHERS SAY Spy Kids #7 Posted By: cyndy, 31 December 2001 One of the larger suburban newspapers here outside of Chicago listed Spy Kids as #7 in his top ten movies of 2001! Keep checking those lists to see if anyone else believes a wonderful family filled movie like SK deserves a spot in the top ten. It made me feel so good when I saw it. =============================================================================== ANTONIO SITES AND SOURCES http://www.onceuponatimeinmexico.com/ (Debbie) ------------------------------------------ Antonio in Cadeques Posted By: Helen, 24 January 2002 From Helen in her website: http://AntonioBanderasitali.freeweb.org/ in the directory news 2001some little photos on Antonio in Cadeques for the spot Potato Chips slideshow (KC) http://www.esmas.com/espectaculos/estrellas/masnoticias/214738.html =============================================================================== NEW PHOTOS FROM CAROL and friends!!! http://banderas-mall.com/gallery/currentpix/ 0202a -- New pics from KC including some of the Lay's commercial shoot from TV & Novelas. Thanks KC. Forget the potato chips. He looks good enough to eat...LOL =============================================================================== ON THE CALENDAR (Schedules are tentative) Holy Week, March 24 - April 31, 2002 -- Antonio committed to be in Malaga to take out the Virgin of Tears and Favors throne, of the Fusionadas, his cofradia March 26, 2002 -- Original Sin to be released on video in both R and unrated versions Easter, 2002 -- antoniobanderas.com promised to be up (post to Lidija at Melanie's website [Robin]) April 1-9, 2002 -- Paris Film Festival honors Spanish film April 19, 2002 -- Antonio to receive Anthony Quinn Achievement Award in Providence, Rhode Island May, 2002? -- IMAGINING ARGENTINA to begin shooting in Spain. May, 2002 -- In their capacity as tourism ambassadors, AB and Mel are hosting a party at the Banderas' LA house to promote Andalucian tourism. (La Opinion de Malaga) Summer, 2002? -- GOTLAND to begin filming in Sweden July 19, 2002 -- Stuart Little 2 to premiere (Robin) August 7, 2002 -- release of Spy Kids 2 (http://www.corona.bc.ca/ and Di) September, 2002 -- release of Once Upon a Time in Mexico (upcomingmovies.com) October, 2002 -- release of Frida (KC and Miramax.com) November 1, 2002 -- release of Ecks vs. Server (upcomingmovies.com) ============================================================================== *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Antonio Admirers editor: Sandie Sledge (ssledge@pilot.infi.net) Research and translation: Lisa (lgrave@erols.com) ANTONIO ADMIRERS FOUNDER: Tamara Smith WEBSITE FOUNDER: Kathleen Grant -- THEATER FOUNDER: Susan Spicer THE ANTONIO BANDERAS WEB MALL STAFF: Business Manager: Lisa (lgrave@erols.com) Gallery: Carol (ccostello@home.com), Newsstand: Sandie (ssledge@pilot.infi.net) Scrapbook and Technical Support: Sha (shryn@shadowmyst.com) Theater: Lisa (content) and Sha (design) Additional Images: Sandy (HARMANDS@wanadoo.fr), KC (kcmcm@ix.netcom.com), ChrisH (chillhouse@mindspring.com), Janet (jksunshine@stic.net) Comment Board: http://banderas-mall.com/minimart/index.cgi Latest photos: http://www.banderas-mall.com/gallery/currentpix *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~