New Line Cinema Signs Antonio Banderas to Star in Take The Lead

(I-Newswire) February 7, 2005 - Inspired by the true story of internationally acclaimed ballroom dancer Pierre Dulane, Take The Lead will star Banderas as an ex-professional dancer who volunteers to teach dance in the New York City public school system. But when his ballroom methods clash with his students' hip hop instincts, he teams up with them to create a new style of dance and becomes their mentor in the process.

New Line originally acquired the rights to Dulane's story in 2002. He was also the subject of the hit Slamdance festival documentary Mad Hot Ballroom which was 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 an April 25 production start date planned.

New Line's senior vp production Mark Kaufman and vp Matt Moore are overseeing the project for the studio.

Banderas most recently starred in the animated blockbuster Shrek 2 and the HBO movie And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination. He can next be seen in the upcoming Legend of Zorro sequel.

About New Line Cinema Corporation: New Line Cinema is the oldest and most successful independent film company in the world. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, licensing, merchandising and international marketing and distribution. New Line is a pioneer in franchise filmmaking and its Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the most successful film franchise in history. Together with its subsidiary, Fine Line Features, New Line is a unit of Time Warner.

Contact Info:
Candice McDonough, New Line Cinema
310-967-6991

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