“This movie really took me by surprise,” Banderas admits to EW.

Banderas knows this is something everyone can relate to after the last few years.

I stopped smoking after the heart attack, and I feel great now.

Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, directed by Joel Crawford.

DreamWorks Animation

But I had the opportunity to see death was right in front of my very eyes.

And it was very scary."

Just like Puss, Banderas was able to learn from that near-death experience.

Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, directed by Joel Crawford.

DreamWorks Animation

“Not many people can say that, and be content to say that.

And not every person lives through something like that to tell the story, but I did.

In a strange way I related to my character in this particular movie.”

Almost like an alter ego.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wishhits theaters Dec. 21.