Antonio Banderas set to play Pablo Picasso

London, Feb 22 (ANI): Antonio Banderas has been confirmed to star as Pablo Picasso in the new biopic '33 Days'.

Antonio, 51, will portray the co-founder of the cubist movement and his emotional struggle while working on his masterpiece mural Guernica.

It seems the 'Puss in Boots' star is finally feels ready to tackle a part that he revealed has always fascinated him.

"He is a character that followed me for a long time, but had always rejected it," the Daily Mail quoted him as telling Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"He deserves a lot of respect because I am Malagan.

"I was born four blocks from where he was born. It has always fascinated me," he said.

The movie will also examine the relationship between the artist and his French lover Dora Marr, who was with him at the time he made 'Guernica'.

It will also show his reaction to the destruction of the town that gave the artwork its name during the Spanish Civil War.

Picasso, who died in 1973 at the age of 91, has long been of interest to art lover Banderas, as they come from the same city on Spain's southern coast.

The movie is slated to have a budget of 7.9 million dollars, and will be directed by Carlos Saura.

It means a big pay cut for the actor, who usually commands multi-million dollar fees.

The film is slated to be shot in Paris and Guernica next summer. (ANI)