If it feels like forever that we've been talking about a Puss in Boots film, it's because we have. Since 2004 to be exact. Originally conceived as a spinoff to follow-up on Shrek 2
, the debate was whether to release it as a straight to DVD or theatrically. In 2006 the decision for a national run was made, with a planned 2008 date set. That came and went, and personally I forgot all about it, assuming Puss in Boots had used up the last of it's nine lives. Then last year Guillermo Del Toro(Pan's Labrynth
) signed on to exec-produce, and the film was full go.Directed by Chris Miller, who helmed Shrek the Third
(by far the worst one), the animated kitty flick features Antonio Banderas of course, as well as Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Salma Hayek, and Amy Sedaris. A prequel, the film shows how Puss in Boots became the cool cat we've come to know and love in the Shrek flicks. In fact, Shrek Forever After teases this film a little bit at the very end(look at the fairy tale books closely). I tweeted the other day that I was really hatin' on this trailer. I would've been all for this back in 2005 but now it just looks outdated. The Shrek characters won't be appearing either, and I'm not sure Puss in Boots is all that interesting on his own. I'd rather see a movie about the little Gingerbread Man dude.
Puss in Boots will be released on November 4th in IMAX and 3D.
