After 18 years of marriage, Antonio Banderas isn't going to let a little thing like their impending divorce stop him from casting his soon-to-be ex-wife, Melanie Griffith, in his new movie, Automata. The 54-year-old Spanish actor explained that, just because he isn't going to be her husband anymore, it doesn't mean he won't be the Crazy in Alabama star's director. According to the latest gossip news updates, Banderas' new girlfriend, Nicole Kimpel, had nothing to do with the split, so he and Griffith have no problem maintaining a friendship.
Things have always been done a little bit differently in Hollywood than they are anywhere else in the world, but Antonia Banderas casting his estranged wife, Melanie Griffith, in his new sci-fi film, Automata, seems pretty out there even for L.A.
In a recent interview on Spanish TV show El Hormiguero, Antonio explained that despite what was going on in their personal lives, he always felt that Griffith being in the movie made perfect sense (via Daily Mail):
"I really admire Melanie as an actress, I have always said that.
"I have a big respect for her in her career, for that reason she is in the film."
For Banderas, working with Melanie, at least, one last time together -- especially at this stage in their relationship -- brings a sense of closure to the two decades they spent loving each other (via People):
"It's curious because Melanie and I met as actors [on 1995's Two Much], and then for the 20 years of our relationship we didn't shoot together.
"Then, at the end of our relationship, we're back together again on the screen."
Although the Desperado has previously explained that he and Griffith had decided together not to mention their marriage or divorce to the media, Banderas explained on El Hormiguero that he will always have feelings for ex-wife (via FoxNews):
"She is a person that I loved, I love and I always will love, whatever our status is."
While Antonio has already found himself a new girlfriend in Danish investment consultant, Nicole Kimpel, Melanie recently explained that she is waiting around for just the right kind of guy to come along:
"I think I'd like to meet a cowboy, like a real man's man.
"Like somebody who's a man and who's not concerned with this town."
Well...what's good for the goose.
