Anchoring the live action part in Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies’ “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” is series newcomer and Hollywood legend Antonio Banderas (“The Mask of Zorro,” voice of “Puss in Boots”).
In the film, Banderas plays the villainous pirate, Burger Beard, who may or may not have something to do with the missing Krabby Patty recipe.
“Antonio Banderas is a very worthy inductee into the SpongeBob club,” says Tom Kenny, who provides the voice SpongeBob Squarepants. “He’s got that kind of old Hollywood movie star charisma. When he’s on the screen, he just owns it.”
“We couldn’t be happier to have Antonio on board for this,” says producer Mary Parent. “He’s such a versatile actor and he really brings to life this very funny and eccentric pirate.”
Producer and screenwriter Paul Tibbitt agrees. “Antonio is an insanely physical guy, and has such a great comedic sensibility. His total commitment to the physical comedy reminds me a lot of Buster Keaton. I’d like to believe he upped his game because he knew he was competing with cartoons.”
“I’m a little envious of him,” says Clancy Brown, who voices Mr. Krabs. “Sure, I get to talk like a pirate, but Antonio gets to play one, jumping and swinging around on the ship with that beard. You can really tell he’s having a great time.”
“It IS a lot of fun,” says Banderas. “The days were hot and the beard was a bit itchy, but I loved every minute of it.” As for joining this beloved franchise, “My daughter and I love SpongeBob, and I’d be a fool to turn down the chance to share the screen with such an iconic presence.”
From Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies comes “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water”, an all new 3D adventure that’s as wild and funny as its name. For the first time, SpongeBob SquarePants, the world’s favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet.
Life in Bikini Bottom couldn’t be better for eternal optimist SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and his friends: loyal starfish Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), the sardonic Squidward (Rodger Bumpass), scientist squirrel Sandy (Carolyn Lawrence) and crustacean capitalist, Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown). When the top secret recipe for Krabby Patties is stolen, eternal adversaries SpongeBob and Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) must join forces on a trip through time and space to harness their internal superpowers and battle fiendish pirate Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas) with his own plans for the delicious delicacies.
Opening across the Philippines on Black Saturday, April 04, “SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.