Freida To Star Opposite Antonio Banderas

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas will join India’s Slumdog Millionaire starlet Freida Pinto normal_1~4 Freida to star opposite Antonio Banderas in Woody Allen’s next film, to be shot in London this year, producers Mediapro announced.

It will be the 48-year-old’s first collaboration with the US filmmaker.

Reports revealed that Pinto Pinto will star with Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins in the still untitled film.

Banderas said that he had not “said yes” to the project, but admitted it is “very difficult to say no to Woody Allen.”

“There are great actors who have appeared in just single scenes of his films, because that means next to a legend, a man who has made history,” he said.

Mediapro produced Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona for which Spain’s Penelope Cruz (pics) won an Oscar for best supporting actress this month, and plans to finance two more of his works.

Banderas was thrust into the spotlight by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, who cast him in such films as Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!.

He became a global star after leaving for Hollywood in the late 1980s, starring in The Legend of Zorro, Evita and Philadelphia.

Allen’s latest film, Whatever Works, is a comedy shot in New York starring Evan Rachel Wood, Henry Cavill and Patricia Clarkson.

Pinto, 24, hit the big time with her role in Slumdog Millionaire, which won eight Oscars, including best picture and best director.