Puss is back! But this time, he’s got his own movie! We caught up with the stars of Puss in Boots, Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayak, to find out all about our favourite feline’s latest adventure.

First of all Antonio, how did you feel when you found out that Puss was getting his own film?

Antonio: Totally happy! To see a character that I’d played in several movies get his own film was great. The character seems to be loved by everybody, so yes, I was very happy. It also gave me the opportunity to explore aspects of his personality further.

How do you feel leaving Shrek behind and doing it on your own?

Salma: The thing is, I love those characters, I love the people who made those characters; we were travelling all over the world together for eight years, and I do miss them. However, if people think that Puss in Boots is Shrek 5, they’re wrong. This is a new movie, just for Puss – it’s a totally different film.

Salma, tell us about the character you voice.

Salma: They call her Kitty Softpaws because she was declawed when she was younger, which is very sad. But, she has learned to use her soft paws for certain abilities, like stealing… she’s a very, very good thief, but she’s used to working on her own. She’s a very independent cat. But in this movie she meets Puss in Boots and they have to go and do something, as part of a team, along with an egg, called Humpty Dumpty…

Antonio: Humpty Alexander Dumpty, if you don’t mind!

Salma: Yes, sorry! As I was saying, they go on an adventure together to find a golden goose. I love her character, she’s very memorable. Definitely unforgettable.

How did you get involved in the film?

Salma: I was so proud for Antonio, when Puss got his own movie. He was so excited about it and he told my husband and me one day and then I couldn’t believe it when I got the call asking if I wanted to be in the film. Then I was told a little about the character and I was just so happy.

You’ve worked together on a few films now. Does working together come naturally?

Salma: It does come naturally when we’re together. We fight really well!

We really enjoy fighting, and that helps a lot.

How do you go about researching playing cats?

Antonio: Actually, it wasn’t about researching cats, for me, it was more about what I was going to do with my voice. As an actor you can use three things: you can use your body, you can use you voice, but above all, you’ve got to use your brains. So for me, it was about how I could use my voice to enhance the personality of Puss. Yes, I’m voicing a cat, but for me, I feel like he’s more of a lion! He’s got a little body, but I provide a big voice for him and that’s really where a lot of the comedy comes from.

Salma: Yes, I think it’s our job to humanise the cats and then it’s the job of the animators to make them more cat like and, also, to create some of the fusion between our personalities and the cats.

Any stories you can share from your time in the recording booth?

Antonio: Actually Salma almost died when recording in Boston!

Salma: A wall actually collapsed on me, while I was recording, but somehow I instinctively moved out of the way.

Antonio: She moved like a cat!

Salma: Yes! I moved like a cat! I was into my character and so I moved like a cat. Also, it was actually quite dangerous while Antonio was recording because he actually uses a sword while recording and he really gets into the character, so all the technicians were ducking and making sure they were out of his way!

There are a number of dance-offs in the film. Who would win in a dance-off between Antonio and Salma?

Salma: I think in real life, unless it’s salsa, Antonio.

Antonio: She said that I’d win, and she’s right… I will!

A lot of films, including Puss in Boots, are being released in 3D now. How do you feel about 3D films?

Salma: You know, I actually don’t usually like 3D movies, except for Avatar. I just find them annoying. But I’m amazed at how good the 3D in this movie is! You just feel like you’re in the film.

Who is this film going to appeal to?

Salma: It’s going to appeal to absolutely everyone and that’s great because it’s so hard to find entertainment that appeals to the whole family.

Finally, Antonio, can you do ‘the eyes’ as well as Puss?

Antonio: I can’t, no! Everyone asks me to do that and I can’t. That belongs to my character.

PUSS IN BOOTS will be released nationwide on Friday 9 December 2011 by Paramount Pictures.