Paddington in Peru continues the franchise’s trend of enlisting global acting icons to bring the fun as over-the-top baddies. The first movie saw Nicole Kidman take on the villain role, the second had Hugh Grant, and Paddington in Peru features The Legend of Zorro and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish star Antonio Banderas as the sketchy riverboat captain Hunter Cabot. For Banderas, the movie is the perfect opposite of the “very adult” Babygirl, which is enjoying its cultural spotlight at the same time.
Banderas clearly had fun playing Hunter Cabot in the movie as reported by ScreenRant’s Paddington in Peru review, and it’s easy to see in the film itself. As the Brown family ventures to Peru to track down Paddington’s missing Aunt Lucy, Banderas brings out the wild bravado he has wielded successfully in so many projects, albeit with more of an unhinged edge. As the most recognizable stars in the movie, he and Olivia Colman threaten to steal scenes even from what is arguably the world’s most beloved CGI bear, but ultimately serve the story in just the right way.
ScreenRant spoke with Antonio Banderas about his Paddington in Peru character, and how he felt being a part of this film around the same time as he made Babygirl with former Paddington villain Nicole Kidman. He also touched on working on projects that reference past work he’s done and weighs in on the importance of acting for a family audience.
Antonio Banderas Didn’t Swap Paddington Stories With Nicole Kidman On Babygirl
But He Is “Very Happy” That Both Movies Share A Similar Release Window
Paddington in Peru hits theaters just two months after the release of the much-buzzed-about thriller Babygirl, which stars Paddington alum Nicole Kidman. When asked if Banderas and Kidman talked adorable bears on the Babygirl set, the actor said the following: “We were too busy … when we did Babygirl, which is a very complex movie, in order to talk and develop conversations about Paddington, which is a much simpler character in a way”, though, “the character that I play here has his complications too,” the actor pointed out.
“In a way, I’m very happy,” Banderas continued, “because, actually, it’s the second time in my career that happened–that two movies that are opposite open at the same time. It happened to me when I did [The Skin I Live In] with Pedro Almodóvar, which is a very complex, profound movie, and, opening at the same time [was] Puss in Boots.” The actor said it produced a “certain interesting feeling” to see both movies running at once. Banderas continued, “The same thing happened now. We have Babygirl, which is a very, very adult-oriented movie, and then next to it is Paddington.”
Banderas Reflects On Self-Referential Movie Moments
The Star Is No Stranger To Having One Of His Projects Call Back To Another
There is a moment in Paddington in Peru that seemingly calls back to one of Banderas’ breakout roles as the тιтular character in Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi. Puss in Boots appears to reference that film as well, and Puss is very clearly inspired by Banderas’ take on the character of Zorro. Banderas reflected on that phenomenon, saying, “If I can do, actually, references–and clearly Puss in Boots is one of those–it’s because the reference was successful. If [the project being referenced] didn’t mean anything to audiences all around the world, it’s impossible.”
Banderas went on to call out ways in which past projects, his and not, informed his performance in Paddington in Peru. “It’s a mixture,” he said, “between Indiana Jones and some of the characters that I have done before.” But, he clarified, “His quest is completely different to the quest of Zorro, or Puss in Boots. Puss in Boots is something different completely, because it’s a movie for kids, but at the same time, you’ve got a wink of an eye continuously to adult people … to the fathers that are taking their kids to see the movie.”
“We Are Getting Out Of the Style”: Banderas Discusses The Importance Of Maintaining A Family-Friendly Tone In Paddington In Peru
Movies Like Paddington “Have A Very Huge Impact In Kids”
As much as Banderas owns his role in Paddington in Peru with seemingly reckless swagger, the actor tried to keep his mind on the audience. “We have to be very careful,” the actor said about movies like Paddington in Peru, “because they produce a very huge impact in kids. There is a sense of responsibility, also, when you’re doing them.” The conclusion came from his own experience, saying that there were some movies that “actually produced a very positive impact,” but other thats “scared me, and produced a reaction that was against the movies.” He went on to say, “you have to be very careful, because they are not only entertainment. They are an educational, [informational] movie for kids.” Thankfully, Banderas continued, “I think that all the script writers and everybody involved in Paddington [is] very much on that.”
Banderas even pointed out one moment where he had to dial himself back to match the tone of the movie: “when we were shooting, at some point, I remember them saying, ‘Careful. We’re taking the scene to a place in which we shouldn’t. We are getting out of the style’.” Banderas changed tactics: “‘They’re right. I have to go back and not [do] it so aggressively, because it’s not the point. The point is that there is [is an audience of] kids from this age to this age, and if I do this, we are going to another level’. So that was a factor that was always on the set.”
Paddington in Peru is out in theaters now.
Source: Screen Rant Plus
