Antonio Banderas Will Star in Take The Lead Posted: Feb 14, 2005

New Line Cinema has signed Antonio Banderas to star in the dance drama Take The Lead which was inspired by the true story of ballroom dancer Pierre Dulane. The film will star Banderas as an ex-professional dancer who volunteers to teach dance for the New York City public school system. The dancer’s ballroom methods clash with his students’ hip hop interests so he decides to tem up with them to create a new style of dance, becoming their mentor in the process. 

New Line originally acquired the rights to Dulane’s story in 2002. Dulane was also the main subject of the Slamdance festival documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, recently acquired by Paramount Classics who will distribute it with Nickelodeon.

Based on a Dianne Houston script, Take The Lead is being directed by Liz Friedlander and produced by Chris Godsick, Diane Nabatoff and Michelle Grace. The film will shoot in Toronto with production expected to start on April 25^th.

Banderas most recently starred in the animated blockbuster Shrek 2 and the HBO movie And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself, earning a Golden Globe nomination. Banderas will next be seen in the upcoming Legend of Zorro sequel.