Antonio Banderas to play Gianni Versace in 'unauthorised' biopic

The Spanish actor will take on the role of the legendary Italian fashion designer

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Spanish actor Antonio Banderas is to bring his enthusiasm for fashion to his craft in a new biopic that will see him play designer Gianni Versace.

The biopic is to be directed by Billie August whose past film credits include Pelle the Conqueror and the 1998 version of Les Misérables.

Controversially, the film has not been agreed to by Versace's family with a representative stating to WWD that the company has not "...authorised nor had any involvement whatsoever in the forthcoming movie; [it] should only be seen as a work of fiction.”

Filming on the biopic is said to be starting this December in Milan before heading to the fashion designer's birth city of Reggio Calabria as well as the city of his death, Miami, where he was shot dead by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997.

Banderas is a keen follower of fashion having recently launched his first collection in collaboration with high-street label Selected. He also enrolled in London university Central Saint Martins' MA Fashion course last year.