Over a decade has passed since Antonio Banderas last stepped into the voice booth as Puss in Boots – but now he’s back for a brand new big-screen adventure.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish will see the titular feline embark on another swashbuckling adventure as he attempts to find the mythical Wishing Star, which will allow him to recover the eight lives he has lost so far.
In total, this is the fifth film to feature Puss after his introduction in Shrek 2, and the second in which he is the main focus following the huge commercial success of his previous solo movie back in 2011 – which gained over $554 million at the worldwide box office.
And if the critical reception is anything to go by, this is certainly a sequel that’s worth checking out, with the film currently sitting at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes after 136 reviews.
That will come as welcome news to the film’s producers after the complicated development process, which saw several delays and a change of director, with Joel Crawford taking over from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse co-director Bob Persichetti.
The trailer also gives us a glimpse of at the return of Kitty Softpaws, Puss’s romantic interest from the first movie, who will be voiced by returning cast member Salma Hayek. The sequel will also bring back Antonio Banderas to voice Puss in Boots.
Read on for everything you need to know about Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish UK release date
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At long, long last, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has an official release date of Friday 3rd February 2023 – so there’s not long to wait at all.
The sequel has been in the works for many, many years, with Antonio Banderas first confirming that it had begun production back in 2014, telling Collider at the time: “We started the new one four days ago.”
He continued: “It did incredibly well with audiences and critics, all around the world, and the character is going to keep going. With Jeffrey [Katzenberg], whatever he wants. He’s one of my favourite producers. This character was born almost 12 years ago. We have had a lot of fun with him, and it seems that audiences do, too. So, we’re doing another one.”
In 2014, the movie was given the title Puss in Boots 2: Nine Lives & 40 Thieves and was scheduled to be released in 2018, but was delayed and eventually scrapped by DreamWorks Animation.
Will Puss in Boots: The Last Wish be on streaming?
Not initially – to begin with, the film is getting an exclusive theatrical run from 3rd February and will only be available in cinemas.
But there’s a good chance fans will eventually be able to watch the film in the comfort of their own homes, most likely on Netflix as part of the streamer’s ongoing Animated Film License Deal with DreamWorks.
We’ll update this page when it becomes clear if and when the film will be arriving on Netflix in the UK, but for now you can watch the first Puss in Boots film on the platform.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish cast
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There’s great news on the cast front: Antonio Banderas is returning to voice Puss in Boots, while Salma Hayek also reprises her role as Kitty Softpaws.
Newcomers to the voice cast of the franchise include Harvey Guillén (Reacher) as Puss and Kitty’s new canine contact Perro, while Florence Pugh (Black Widow) voices villain Goldilocks – the leader of the Three Bears Crime Family.
Meanwhile, Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter), Ray Winstone (Black Widow) and Samson Kayo (Sliced) play Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear respectively, while there are also roles for Wagner Moura (Narcos), Anthony Mendez (Jane the Virgin), John Mulaney (Big Mouth), and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Trolls).
Is Salma Hayek returning as Kitty Softpaws in Puss in Boots 2?
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Yes, the cat is out of the bag. Salma Hayek (Eternals) is back to voice Kitty Softpaws, Puss’s love interest from the first movie.
The first trailer for the movie has given fans a preview of her reuniting with Banderas, who voices the fiercely adorable titular cat, and it looks like there might be some romance in store for the duo. Read more on this below.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish trailer
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DreamWorks has released the first trailer for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, giving fans a first look at Antonio Banderas back as the voice of the feline swashbuckler.
Once again, Puss in Boots is looking fabulous in the face of danger as he fights a colossal stone monster in front of a huge crowd.
However, it’s soon clear that his victory has come at a price, as he realises he only has one of his nine cat lives remaining.
“When you only have one life, that’s what makes it special,” Kitty Softpaws (Hayek) tells him. Watch below:
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is scheduled to be released on 3rd February 2023. Visit our Movies hub for more news and features and find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
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