The actresses portraying Jenni Rivera in Francisco Joel Mendoza's biopic "La Diva de La Banda" have been cast.
El Universal is reporting that Mireya Limón and Deira Barrera will play Rivera in Mendoza's controversial film. The director told the publication that both actresses were from middle class families and sing very well. He added that when Rivera first started singing she was not from a rich family and that she came from a small town.
When asked why he did not cast Angelica Vale or Jennifer Lopez he stated that he believed that those actresses would not have worked with his vision.
The director also noted that audiences would be surprised by the film's content and that it would detail Rivera's life as close as possible.
The director also revealed other major casting choices. He stated that he had already spoken with such thespains as Joaquín Cosío (El Infierno), Gustavo Sánchez Parra (Amores perros) and Mario Zaragoza (Cloroformo) to perform major roles in the movie.
Mendoza recently revealed a document that was signed by Rivera where she authorized the helmer to make her biopic. He stated that four people were present to sign it on December 1, 2012. He added that the planned movie was originally supposed to be a documentary but after her death he decided on a narrative.
The director was scrutinized by the Rivera Family as the deceased diva's relatives felt that they were the only individuals with the rights to make the film. The family members also questioned whether Rivera had ever met Mendoza and asserted that the deceased singer's sister Rosie never authorized the director to make a movie about her either.
Mendoza later reacted to their aggression by stating that the families planned movie would be a fiasco and a failure.
"La Diva de la Banda" is slated to hit theaters on December 6th in Mexico and Mendoza expects a DVD shortly after.