Antonio Banderas making love story with wife

Los Angeles: Antonio Banderas is set to don the director`s hat for a third time, to direct a love story `Akil`, starring his wife Melanie Griffith.The 52-year-old actor has completed the screenplay and will produce `Akil` via his Green Moon shingle, based in Malaga, Spain, Variety reported.

`Akil` takes its title from the name of an African boy who reaches Spain in a small boat. Fleeing from the police, he takes shelter in the house of an American woman. "This is a love story between two completely different people -- in age, attitude, religion, wealth -- who end up being essential to each other," Banderas said. The boy still has to be cast, he added. Banderas will fully-finance `Akil`. "My country, Spain, is in tremendous financial crisis. It`s very difficult to obtain funds to make a movie. I have conceived `Akil` so as not to depend on third-party funding," Banderas said. The film`s shoot dates will depend on Banderas` other commitments in 2013. He has earlier directed `Crazy in Alabama` and `Summer Rain`. Banderas will produce and star in the sci-fier `Automata`, helmed by Spain`s Gabe Ibanez. Green Moon produces with Avi Lerner`s Millennium Films. `Automata` rolls April 29 at Nu Image`s Nu Boyana Film Studios in Bulgaria. Banderas may also take a role in Mike Medavoy-produced `The 33`. Helmed by Mexico`s Patricia Riggen, it is inspired by the true story of the 33 trapped Chilean miners. PTI