Diego Luna's "Chavez" To be Distributed by Participant Media

The North American rights to “Chavez,” directed by Diego Luna and starring Michael Pena, have gone to to Participant Media.

“Chavez” will star Michael Pena (World Trade Center) as the famed labor organizer Cesar E. Chavez and Diego Luna (Y Tu Mama Tambien) will direct the script by Academy Award nominee Keir Pearson (Hotel Rwanda). The deal reunites Participant Media for the second time in a row with Mexico's Canana Films. The pervious partnership between the companies was for Pablo Larrian's “No” which won the Art Cinema prize at the Cannes Film Festival last month. “No” was later acquired by Sony Pictures Classics which will release the film in the U.S. later this year.

Participant CEO Jim Berk stated that "This film provides an emotional and inspiring telling of Cesar Chavez's struggle for equality, respect and dignity and is a natural fit for Participant.”

Luna also commented on the partnership stating that "We believe this film will send the powerful message that change is in our hands, and Participant is the perfect partner to help this film reach a large North American audience.”

“Chavez” will explore the iconic union leader Cesar Chavez's determination to organize the largest nonviolent protest in U.S. history. It will also explore his successes as he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers union.

The film will also star Academy Award nominee John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Rosario Dawson (Rent), Wes Bentley (American Beauty), Michael Cudlitz (Surrogates), Jacob Vargas (Traffic), Yancey Arias (One life to Live) and Mark Moses (Platoon).

According to the Hollywood Reporter the film will be produced by Canana principals Pablo Cruz and Gael Garcia Bernal (No) and it is rumored that they will make cameo appearances in the film. The film will also be co-produced by Malkovich and his Mr. Mudd production company. Skoll and Participant's Jonathan King are executive producing.

Diego Luna's directing credits include “JC Chavez”, a biography of the legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, and “Abel”, his first narrative feature which he also co-wrote.

King and Participant CEO Jeff Ivers negotiated the deal for Participant. Robert and Matt Wallerstein of Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof & Fishman negotiated the deal for Canana.

The film is currently shooting in Sonora, Mexico.