OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Fans are buzzing with excitement about the possibility of seeing Antonio Banderas and Dakota Johnson collaborate again on-screen. But while the idea of reuniting may seem like a dream for fans, Banderas admits it won’t come as easily as one might think.
The two share a long history, with Dakota’s acting debut in Banderas’ directorial debut, Crazy in Alabama (1999). At the time, Dakota was just five years old and the daughter of Melanie Griffith, who was married to Banderas. Although their marriage ended in 2014, Banderas remains a proud, doting stepdad to Dakota, always eager to support her in her career.
In a recent interview with E! News, Antonio shared his enthusiasm about the prospect of working with Dakota again. “I would love to [work with her],” he said, but he quickly added that the reunion wouldn’t be an easy task. “It’s something that is very difficult,” he admitted. He explained that while he would actively seek out a project that could bring them together, the complexity of their relationship makes it a challenging prospect.
But despite the challenges, the Spanish actor has nothing but praise for Dakota’s talent. “I would love to work with Dakota someday,” he said, underscoring that his desire to collaborate stems from his genuine admiration for her as an actress. “She’s a good actress in many different ways,” he added. “She’s a great comedian, too.”
Antonio particularly fondly recalls Dakota’s work on the TV show Ben and Kate (2012), where she showcased her impeccable comedic timing. “I got a lot of fun seeing her on the screen because she got the rhythm of comedy,” he explained. Though Dakota has since focused more on drama, Antonio is convinced her comedic chops are just as strong, and he teased the possibility of the two joining forces on a comedy project in the future. “Maybe we should do a comedy someday,” he hinted.
While Antonio’s career continues to flourish, with the upcoming release of Paddington in Peru on Valentine’s Day, he also maintains strong ties to his family. He shares a daughter, Stella Banderas, with his ex-wife, Melanie Griffith, and currently lives partly in Málaga, Spain, with his partner, Nicole Kimpel.
Though their reunion might take time, the anticipation surrounding the idea of Banderas and Johnson sharing the screen again is undeniable. With Dakota’s dynamic range as an actress and Antonio’s immense respect for her, fans can only hope that the right project will come along soon—one that will reunite the two on a creative level and deliver another unforgettable performance.