08.12.22 |

James Franco as Fidel Castro, Really? | Opinion

If Fidel Castro, an Anti-American Cuban of Spanish descent and the embodiment of communism, knew that the person who will be portraying him is none other than James Franco, I bet he would drop dead again.

In any case, leaving the Castro’s family drama aside, amidst the moment we’re living in, where authenticity is pretty imperative, having a gringo playing a Latino didn’t sit very well with our community. Latinos across the internet —and in the film industry— decried the choice as a clear example of discrimination against Latinos in Hollywood.

The story grabbed national headlines after John Leguizamo took his remarks to social media to condemn the decision. “How is this still going on? How is Hollywood excluding us but stealing our narratives as well? No more appropriation Hollywood and streamers! Boycott!,” he said via Instagram.

The Castro film is written by José Rivera and Nilo Cruz and follows the true-life story of Alina Fernández (played by Cuban American actress Ana Villafañe), a Cuban exile turned social advocate who was born of the love affair between Natalia Revuelta and Fidel Castro.

Miguel Bardem, a film director of Spanish descent, is signed on to direct.