Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Head "Shrek" Spin-Off "Puss In Boots"

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – The fourth and final installment in the “Shrek” series, “Shrek Forever After,” is set to hit theaters this weekend. But while it’s the last you’ll see of the big green ogre (until they want to make another $800 million at the worldwide box-office a la “Shrek the Third”), it’s only the beginning for “Puss in Boots,” which gets his own spin-off featuring the voice talents of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek.

Banderas’ Zorro-lampooning Puss in Boots quickly became a fan favorite when he debuted in “Shrek 2.” The “Puss in Boots” spin-off has been in development for years and will finally hit theaters November 2011. Banderas has already started the recording process, before the latest “Shrek” sequel, where we see a plus-sized version of Puss in Boots, hit theaters.

“It starts when he was very little,” Banderas said about the new film. “He was in an orphanage when he first discovered the effect he has on people – that’s when he starts being intelligent.”

The wide-eyed, womanizing Puss in Boots also finds himself tamed in his spin-off with the introduction of his very own love interest, Kitty, voiced by none other than Salma Hayek. The two Latin stars have now worked together on no less than six films together, last appearing in 2003′s “Once Upon a Time in Mexico.”

Hayek, who usually lends herself to more provocative roles, says she’s most excited about her daughter Valentina seeing her voice the female feline character.

“I am so excited about it,” Hayek said. “It’s very cool and I am so excited that my daughter will get to see it. I did it for her really. She is going to be so surprised.”

“She is both a love interest and a villain in a way,” Hayek said of her character. “She is very manipulative — like a really good cat.”

“Hangover” star Zach Galifianakis is also said to be joining the cast, voicing the character of Humpty Dumpty.

“Shrek Forever After” hits theaters May 21st, 2010, with “Puss In Boots” to follow November 4th, 2011.

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