Is Antonio Banderas making yet another movie no one will ever see?

It's been a tough couple of years for Antonio Banderas.

Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Salazar

Antonio Banderas, whose career has been in somewhat of a tailspin since the disappointing results for 2005's "The Legend of Zorro," is making yet another questionable move. 

Variety reports that Banderas has signed on to the indie thriller "The Big Bang" for former agent turned director Tony Krantz (and yes, that's a rarity).  Described as a "neo-noir detective story," the movie follows an LA private investigator (Banderas) on the trail of a missing stripper that lands him in the New Mexico desert where he finds dead bodies, a nasty Russian boxer, three LAPD detectives and an aging billionaire looking to perfect the nuclear physics equivalent of the Big Bang. 

" Bang" does not have a U.S. distributor and is seeking foreign sales at this year's Cannes Film Market.

Besides reprising his role as Puss in Boots for "Shrek Goes Fourth" next year, Banderas recently wrapped shooting on Woody Allen's untitled London project due next year.  His other recent credits include the bombs "Take the Lead" and "Bordertown" as well as the barely released "My Mom's New Boyfriend," "The Other Man" and "Thick as Thieves."  Is it too late for the almost 50-year-old Banderas to find success again in a Hollywood romantic comedy or action flick?

"Bang" is expected to begin production in Spokane, Washington this September.