Penélope Cruz is gearing up for a busy year at the movies, thanks to her Cannes Film Festival release The Black Ball and the upcoming summer dark comedy The Invite.
While the former won't hit Spanish theaters until September, the latter will be released to select theaters on June 26 before receiving a wider release on July 10, and we already can't wait to see a new side of the Oscar-winning actress.
© Getty ImagesIncluding a new hair 'do! New posters and a second trailer for the film, released on June 4, show off the actress' latest hairstyle, trading out her usual shoulder-length dark locks for a blonde bob with dark roots.
Penélope, 52, plays Pína, with her onscreen partner Hawk played by Edward Norton. The film is led by Seth Rogen (as Joe) and Olivia Wilde (as Angela), with Olivia also directing the film, her first time doing so since the divisive sci-fi period piece, Don't Worry Darling.
Per A24's official logline for the sexy comedy: "Joe and Angela's marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down?"
The Invite premiered at Sundance in January and received rave reviews for its whip smart comedic timing and the performances of the cast. It also happens to be Penélope's second onscreen bob of the year, following her choppier cut for Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride!, in which she starred alongside Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale and Peter Sarsgaard.
© A24Nearly four decades into her film career, Penélope's roles (and thereby, the transformations) have gotten more and more interesting, and in a recent interview with L'Officiel, the actress noted that the ability to be selective with her roles, especially when it comes to prioritizing time with her kids Leo and Luna, is a blessing at this point in her career.
"I've been working since I was 17 years old, and I feel very lucky that I have the opportunity to choose my projects and that I never separate from my kids," she said. "I work more in the summer and love Spanish cinema. Also, luckily a lot of international films are shooting in Spain."
© A24"Sometimes, if it's a short period of time, we can organize things in a way where we don't have to be apart. I feel like that is a blessing after working for so long. When I was in my 20s or 30s, I was making four movies per year. The rhythm is different now."
Penélope added: "And I don't take it for granted, because I can choose projects that I really love and at the same time, I can be very present as a mother – that is my total priority. I also love my profession, so to be able to combine things is the biggest blessing."
© Getty Images"There is not one day where I don't thank life for that. And projects that I feel motivated by and that represent a new challenge like The Bride!, or the movie (The Invite) that I just did with Olivia Wilde, Edward Norton, and Seth Rogen, which is a comedy that is so smart and funny."
