In recent years, James Franco has kept a low profile on screen due to the sex scandal in which he was involved in abusing his former students.
However, the “Spider-Man” actor has been gradually joining new film and TV projects, including the new biopic “Alina of Cuba: La Hija Rebelde,” where he will play Fidel Castro.
In fact, the biopic directed by Miguel Bardem does not focus on the life of the Cuban president, but on the true story of Alina Fernández (played by Cuban actress Ana Villafañe), a Cuban exile turned social activist who at age 10 learned that she was the daughter of Fidel Castro. However, James Franco’s role in this film continues to be relevant as he plays Fidel Castro, Alina’s biological father.
John Leguizamo and more Hollywood actors turned down James Franco’s casting as Fidel Castro
The casting of James Franco as Fidel Castro in “Alina of Cuba: La Hija Rebelde” has angered several Latino actors in Hollywood, including John Leguizamo, the Colombian actor, producer and comedian who has appeared in films and series such as Moulin Rouge . ”, “John Wick”, “Bloodline”, “Charm” and more.
The Colombian actor shared on his Instagram a snapshot of the news of the casting of James Franco as Fidel Castro, which he accompanied with a short criticism of the exclusion of Latino actors in Hollywood.
His version received the support of several Hollywood actors, including his “Encanto” co-star Jessica Darrow, an actress of Cuban descent who played Luisa, who expressed her surprise when she wrote, “What the hell *is that. ..”
Puerto Rican-born actor John Huertas, recognized for his roles as Miguel Rivas in “This is us” and Javier Esposito in “Castle,” also took advantage of Leguizamo’s post to express his displeasure.
On Twitter, Argentinian Sol Rodríguez, who plays Daniela Mercado in “Devious Maids” and Teresa Ramirez in “Star Trek: Picard,” expressed her dismay at the disparities evident with the casting of James Franco as Fidel Castro.
On August 5, John shared a video on his Instagram where he made it clear that he has nothing against James Franco, but the fact that Latino actors still can’t get the same chance as white actors to bring him to life. they are just Latinos like them.
Leguizamo also commented on some examples of white actors bringing to life Latino characters that could very well have been played by Latinos.