Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Pablo Cruz started developing a Cesar Chavez biopic at their Canana Films nearly two years ago. Chavez is a legendary activist and Latino icon, revered for his efforts in the American labor movement, so his portrayer must be chosen with care. Two years later, Canana came up with an inspired choice: Michael Pena. Ive noticed Pena most visibly in recent years creating distinct comic characters in lighter fare like Observe and Report or 30 Minutes or Less. But the actor made is name in heavier dramas like Crash and World Trade Center. Pena is versatile, and you need an actor who can tap into both sides of the craft to play an iconic figure who is a true leader of men.
Luna stepped behind the camera in 2010 to direct Abel, and has decided to make the biopic Chavez his second narrative feature. Luna cast Rosario Dawson as Dolores Huerta, Chavezs partner in activism and co-founder of what eventually became the United Farm Workers. America Ferrera will play Chavezs wife Helen.
The script by Keir Pearson (Hotel Rwanda) will focus on Chavez organizing the largest non-violent protest in U.S. history to accomplish his ultimate goal of obtaining basic human rights for over 50,000 farm workers in California. Shooting is scheduled to begin next month in Mexico.
