It’s been over a decade since the first Puss in Boots film, and the long-awaited sequel, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish leaps into theaters tomorrow. Actress Salma Hayek, who voices Kitty Softpaws in the animated adventure, spoke with Collider about the film, saying that not having to rush the film gave them time to explore the characters:

Anyone who enjoyed the first Puss in Boots film as a kid (or the related Shrek movies) is likely grown up by now, but The Last Wish is another movie intended for all ages, especially considering the story. Puss is on the last of his nine lives, so he retires to an animal sanctuary. When a falling star lands nearby, it gives him an opportunity to wish for all of his lives back. It’s something that older audiences can relate with: wondering what do to with your time left, and wishing for the opportunity to do your life over again.

“When we were working together, we really spent the time to explore the characters and the real issues, and look into the relationship with the other characters. It was never just saying lines. We really did the work together. Almost more than in a regular film because sometimes in a regular film people are not rehearsing anymore, everything is hurry, hurry, hurry. And he had a wonderful process of exploring the characters and the story, and the different meanings that we could bring, ‘What was our contribution to the audience through the characters today?’…. I love comedy, I love it. But honestly, I hope this doesn’t come the [wrong] way, to me, it’s really easy. It’s really easy. We could improvise a thousand times. ‘What else can we do besides the comedy, or through the comedy?’ I love it.”

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Salma Hayek and Director Joel Crawford Praise Antonio Banderas’ Performance

     DreamWorks Animation

Director Joel Crawford also spoke about the movie, citing Antonio Banderas’ character Puss as a character that both younger and older audiences are drawn to:

Hayek agrees, adding that Puss has “charming narcissism,” although it doesn’t keep him from helping his friends:

“For me, I think there’s something in this adorable little cat, he is just a two-and-a-half-foot tall cat. But with Antonio’s voice, the charisma, he has the bravado of an eight-foot-tall man, and there’s something in that contrast that is both adorable and aspirational. I think that that’s something that’s very charming about it to me.”

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish releases in theaters on December 21st, 2022. Antonio Banderas voices the titular character, with other voices provided by Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillen, and Florence Pugh. Joel Crawford directs the film, which is produced by Mark Swift and distributed by Universal Pictures.

“All he wants to do is do good things for others. And it’s one of his weapons. You know? This delusional, unapologetic narcissism. And in this movie, you see the fragile part, and you love him all the more because of it… He’s a nice good cat. He wants to do good for the world. And one of his weapons is his very robust self-esteem.”