It’s no secret that we here at The Mary Sue love Gina Rodriguez. Since her breakout role on the CW’s Jane the Virgin, Rodriguez has made an indelible impression as both a talented actress and a fierce advocate for Latinx representation in Hollywood.
Now, with Jane the Virgin ending after five seasons, Rodriguez is gearing up for her first starring role in a major studio film. Miss Bala is a remake of the critically acclaimed 2011 Mexican drama about a beauty pageant queen who gets kidnapped by a drug cartel, where she finds herself pitted between the cartel and American DEA agents.
The remake, directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Twilight) stars Rodriguez as Gloria, who is visiting her family in Mexico when she is unwillingly recruited by the cartel. After a run-in with the DEA, Gloria must play both sides to ensure her family’s survival. The film also stars Anthony Mackie, Ismael Cruz-Córdova (Ray Donovan) and Aislinn Derbez (Easy).
The film looks to be an exciting return to form for Catherine Hardwicke, who despite directing the massively successful Twilight movie, was labeled as “difficult” and has struggled to find work (thanks, the patriarchy).
Miss Bala is diverse both in front of and behind the camera. In an Op-Ed in Variety, Rodriguez said of the production, “Not only does this film have a female Latino lead and other amazing Latino talent but we also filmed in Mexico with a 95% Latino crew. I sincerely thank and applaud Sony for being one of the leader’s in trying to move the needle forward.”
The film is coming at a crucial time for Latinx representation. While Latinx audiences make up 23% of frequent movie-goers, Latinx actors only make up a dismal 3% of speaking roles during the last decade. And in 2016, Latinx actors made up only 2.7% of the of the roles in the top movies of the year.
Rodriguez continued, saying “It’s important we celebrate, employ and represent all Latinos from European to Afro-Latinos, because it is our responsibility as an industry to give this entire generation positive representation so that no one feels invisible.”
(via Collider, image: Sony Pictures)
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