Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2011 Puss in Boots spin-off and a continuation of the beloved Shrek franchise. DreamWorks Animation once again brings the swashbuckling, charming feline hero back for a thrilling, heartwarming, and visually stunning adventure. Directed by Joel Crawford and co-directed by Januel Mercado, the film reintroduces audiences to the legendary orange tabby, Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas, as he embarks on a quest like no other.

Plot Summary: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, our hero faces an existential dilemma when he learns that he’s already lost eight of his nine lives. After being crushed by a church bell and nearly losing his last life, Puss decides to retire and live a more subdued life under the care of Mama Luna, an elderly cat lady. However, life takes a dramatic turn when Puss meets Perrito, an optimistic and friendly chihuahua who believes that Puss can still make a difference in the world.

Puss’s peaceful life is interrupted when he hears about the legendary Wishing Star that can grant him a fresh set of nine lives. He teams up with his ex-fiancée, Kitty Softpaws (voiced by Salma Hayek), and the lovable Perrito on an epic journey to track down the star before it falls into the hands of villainous forces.

Along the way, they encounter an array of colorful characters, including the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Crime Family, the dangerous and unpredictable “Big” Jack Horner, and a mysterious wolf who may not just be an ordinary bounty hunter. As Puss races against these rivals, he confronts his past, wrestles with his fears, and ultimately learns the true value of life and companionship.

New additions to the cast include:

• Harvey Guillén as Perrito, the lovable chihuahua who adds a dose of heart and humor to the story.
• Florence Pugh as Goldilocks, the leader of the Three Bears Crime Family, who has a deep emotional connection to her adoptive family.
• Olivia Colman as Mama Bear and Ray Winstone as Papa Bear, the powerhouse duo behind the crime family.
• John Mulaney as “Big” Jack Horner, a pastry salesman with plans to use the Wishing Star to gain control of all magic.
• Wagner Moura as the Wolf / Death, a mysterious figure who pursues Puss throughout the film, embodying both danger and inevitability.

Full Cast of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

• Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, a swashbuckling tabby cat who has lost eight of his nine lives.
• Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws, Puss’s ex-fiancée, and a street-savvy tuxedo cat.
• Harvey Guillén as Perrito, the optimistic and friendly chihuahua.
• Florence Pugh as Goldilocks, leader of the Three Bears Crime Family.
• Olivia Colman as Mama Bear, Goldilocks’ adoptive mother.
• Ray Winstone as Papa Bear, Goldilocks’ adoptive father.
• Samson Kayo as Baby Bear, Goldilocks’ adoptive brother.
• John Mulaney as “Big” Jack Horner, a feared pastry salesman with sinister plans.
• Wagner Moura as the Wolf / Death, who represents Puss’s greatest fear.
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mama Luna, an elderly cat lady who takes care of Puss.
• Anthony Mendez as the Doctor who tells Puss he should retire.

Animation and Visual Style: A Painterly Fairy-Tale

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish stands out visually thanks to its groundbreaking animation style. Drawing inspiration from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the film employs innovative techniques to create a painterly, fairy-tale aesthetic that’s unlike anything seen in the Shrek universe before. The bright, colorful landscapes and action sequences feel alive with energy, evoking the spirit of classic fairy tales while maintaining a modern, fresh style. This new visual approach enhances the emotional depth of the characters and adds a layer of artistic flair to the adventure.

Behind the Scenes: From Development to Screen

Plans for a sequel to Puss in Boots began all the way back in 2012, but it took nearly a decade before Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was officially greenlit. After a period of development challenges and script revisions, the film was revived in 2018, with Illumination founder Chris Meledandri joining as an executive producer.

Joel Crawford, who directed The Croods: A New Age (2020), stepped in to helm the project in 2021, taking over from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse director Bob Persichetti. The shift in direction brought fresh creative energy, and with new technology, the team was able to push the boundaries of animation, delivering a unique visual style and emotionally rich storytelling.