When I say that I wouldn’t recognize SpongeBob SquarePants if I passed him on the sidewalk, I’m only half-joking.
I assume I’d know the animated character by his, well, spongy form and square pants?
In other words, I’m out of the SpongeBob loop, so I wasn’t overly excited by the announcement that the movie SpongeBob SquarePants 2 would film live action sequences in and around Savannah beginning in September.
Sure, I’m thrilled that the local economy and the filmmaking industry will get a big boost, but for some of us this project is simply not as exciting as other major films shot in Savannah — unless, of course, some major talent is attached to the project.
2004’s The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie included live actor David Hasselhoff (yes, really).
The IMDB listing for SpongeBob SquarePants 2 so far has no live actors listed — just voices — but we’re beginning to hear some interesting rumors around town.
And at least one of those rumors seems at least vaguely plausible.
It looks like Mike Mitchell will be directing the live action sequences (see here and here). Mitchell’s previous directing projects include 2010’s Shrek Forever After.
Mitchell worked with a great list of actors who voiced characters on that project, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, and John Cleese. In 2011’s Puss in Boots, Banderas voiced the title character and Mitchell voiced the character Andy Beanstalk.
Based on that history and based on a fairly credible rumor around town, don’t be surprised if Antonio Banderas is soon announced as one of the stars of the live action sequences.
And don’t be surprised if that rumor turns out to be completely wrong.