Antonio Banderas, Frida Pinto And Mark Strong Join The Cast Of Black Gold

What happened to Antonio Banderas? Just a few years ago you couldn't walk past a theater without seeing the Spanish actor's face on a movie poster. Ever since taking the role of Puss in Boots in Shrek 2, however, the bulk of his mainstream acting work has been done in a recording studio. It goes without saying that we can always use more Banderas, and now, hopefully, he's ready to make his comeback.

Deadline reports that Banderas, as well as Frida Pinto, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim, Riz Ahmed and Liya Kebede, has been added to the cast of Black Gold, the newest film from director Jean-Jacques Annaud. Set to begin filming next week in Tunisa, the film, formally known as Black Thirst, is set in the Arab states during the 1930s when the oil boom began.

Should Banderas still have the talents that made him a star, sticking him in a movie with Mark Strong might not be the best idea. Having that many badasses on set tends to lead to explosions and car chases, two things that probably won't work for this film. Annaud should be careful.

Eric Eisenberg
Assistant Managing Editor

NJ native who calls LA home and lives in a Dreamatorium. A decade-plus CinemaBlend veteran who is endlessly enthusiastic about the career he’s dreamt of since seventh grade.