Antonio Banderas Discusses the Possibility of Collaborating with Stepdaughter Dakota Johnson
Antonio Banderas continues to cherish his stepdaughter, Dakota Johnson, even after his divorce from her mother Melanie Griffith in 2014.
In a conversation with E! News that aired on February 6, Banderas, 64, expressed his desire to collaborate with Johnson on a film in the future. “I would love to,” he remarked. “I would love to, but it’s something quite challenging. I will look for [a project], but I really want to work with Dakota one day.”
Banderas went on to say, “It’s because she’s a talented actress.” Johnson, 35, made her acting debut in Crazy in Alabama, which was the first film Banderas directed back in 1999.
“She has since established her career more in drama, but I remember when she starred in a TV show called Ben and Kate, and I found it very enjoyable to see her on screen, as she has great comedic timing too,” he added.
In July 2024, Johnson and Banderas reconnected while both were in Mallorca, Spain. “Happiness: Dakota in Malaga!” the actor captioned an Instagram post, sharing a photo of the two.
Banderas and Griffith, 67, tied the knot in 1996 when Johnson was just 5 years old. Although their marriage ended, Banderas remained a paternal figure in Johnson’s life.
Banderas also reminisced about the moment Johnson presented him with an award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2019. “She gave it to me along with one of the most beautiful speeches I’ve ever received,” he told E! News at that time. “It filled me with gratitude to know how she feels about Papi.”
Johnson is not the only one who has kept a strong bond with Banderas post-split. In August 2016, Griffith honored Banderas with a heartfelt birthday message on Instagram. “Happy Birthday to my ruggedly handsome ex-husband @antoniobanderasoficia,” she posted. “I will always love you.”
Additionally, in February 2016, Griffith shared her thoughts on marriage at the New York premiere of Johnson’s film How to Be Single. “Don’t get married!” she advised. “There’s no need. You can have a child without marrying. There’s no longer a stigma attached to that, and if you do get married, you face the complexities of a prenuptial. If you want a divorce and don’t have one, you may end up wishing you had.”
