I have not yet seen that news in trade publications or on the movie’s IMDB page.

But dedicated readers of this blog knew that Banderas was one of the likely stars from my August 30th post.

Banderas, who just turned 53 and has been married to Melanie Griffith for 17 years, has had an extraordinary career, with 91 listings on his IMDB filmography.

Banderas’ first acting credits begin in 1982. Perhaps most worthy of note are the actor’s early roles in Pedro Almodovar films: Labyrinth of Passion (1982), Matador (1986), Law of Desire (1987), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988), and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990). Wow, what a great list of films — quirky, sexy, provocative, poetic, all those things at once and much more.

Banderas is perhaps better known in popular culture for his voice in various Shrek productions and for starring in two Zorro movies, but he’s done some other really great work outside of his films with Almodovar, including roles in Philadelphia (1993), Desperado (1995), and Interview with the Vampire (1994).

Those who were nonplussed by the entire SpongeBob announcement have a little more reason to pay attention.

And Banderas fans might want to take note that he’ll be playing Pablo Picasso in a Carlos Saura film scheduled for 2014 release. Gwyneth Paltrow will play Dora Maar.

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.