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The beloved Puss in Boots from “Shrek” is back with an exciting sequel! It has been 11 years since we first encountered the adventures of this mischievous feline with a charming face and a bad temper. Puss in Boots stole the show as a scene-stealing supporting character in “Shrek,” and his own story demanded to be told. In 2011, we were introduced to his thrilling prequel. Before meeting Shrek, Puss in Boots embarked on a journey, teaming up with the clever Humpty Dumpty and the cunning Kitty Softpaws to steal the famous golden goose.
The Second Part: The Return of Antonio Banderas
Now, the sequel brings back Antonio Banderas to lend his voice to Puss in Boots as he embarks on a quest for the legendary Last Wish to solve a problem. We will dive into the details shortly.
The first “Puss in Boots” was a commercial success, grossing an impressive $554 million worldwide. This made a sequel almost obligatory for DreamWorks. And now, 11 years later, it is finally happening.
The Team Behind the Sequel
The project is directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, with Mark Swift as the producer. This team previously worked on “The Croods: A New Age,” which earned them a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture.
Now, they are returning with the film titled “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
“Puss in Boots 2” – Release Date
After a previously planned release date in September, DreamWorks decided to launch the beloved kitty after the mammoth success of “Avatar.” Therefore, the film will hit theaters on December 21.
“Puss in Boots 2” – Synopsis
According to the official DreamWorks Animation synopsis, this film revolves around Puss in Boots realizing that he has wasted his eight lives and devising an incredible plan to rectify this. We will witness the feline embarking on a new journey to the Black Forest to find the fabled Wishing Star and reclaim what he has lost.
The Shrek film franchise is known for its family-friendly nature, but this time, during the screening of the first 27 minutes at the 2022 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, director Joel Crawford revealed, “There are darker tones in this film… It deals with mortality, his fear of death, and that’s the driving engine behind it, and Grimm fairy tales were a big inspiration.” He further added, “Everything about (Puss in Boots) is big, his ego, everything… It’s a big spectacle, and it’s iconic. But underneath, there are a lot of Sergio Leone, and I love Akira Kurosawa. Those two have great characters, great humanity inside, especially the work of Kurosawa. And we wanted to tap into that.”
Cast and Characters
Antonio Banderas will once again lend his voice to the iconic feline character. Puss in Boots is one of the most memorable roles in the actor’s career. Salma Hayek will also return, providing the voice for the daring and nimble Kitty Softpaws.
The cast also includes Olivia Colman, taking on the role of Mama Bear. Other members of the cast include Florence Pugh, who lends her voice to Goldilocks in the original version, and Wagner Moura, who voices the Big Bad Wolf. Ray Winstone, John Mulaney, Anthony Mendez, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Samson Kayo also join the stellar cast.