28/11/2005

Spanish producer Andrés Vicente Gómez from Lolafilms joined the London based company Sequence Films and Tunisian Quinta Communications to produce Manolete. The film is based on the life and passions of matador Manuel Rodriguez Sanchez, who died in the bullring in 1947 at the age of 30.

Directed by Dutch-born Menno Meyjes, who scripted some old Spielberg's hits like The Colour Purple and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Manolete will star Adrien Brody as the mythical bullfighter. The Academy Award winner is expected to be in Spain in early 2006 to start his preparation for the role. Meyjes' biopic will also focus on the tumultuous relationship between the Manolete and wannabe actress Lupe Sino. Penelope Cruz, who has just finished shooting Almodóvar's new film Volver [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Agustín Almodóvar
interview: Carmen Maura
interview: Pedro Almodóvar
interview: Pénélope Cruz
film profile] will play Brody's love interest.

The principal photography for this 20M€ project is due to start in Spain in the march 2006.