Oscar Jaenada lands coveted “Cantinflas” role

Oscar Jaenada (“Che”), who will soon be seen in the action thriller “The Losers” with Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans, has landed the role of Mario “Cantinflas” Moreno, Mexico’s most famous comedian, in a planned biopic, according to Showbiz Cafe.

The site says Jaenada beat out expected frontrunners John Leguizamo and Diego Luna for the chance to play Moreno, who was known as “the Charlie Chaplin of Mexico” and passed away in 1993.

Moreno enjoyed a long and successful film career during the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, appearing alongside David Niven in the Best Picture winner “Around the World in 80 Days.” He has a star on Hollywood Boulevard, scored two Golden Globe nominations (and won once in 1961), and earned the Mexican Academy of Film Lifetime Achievement Award.

But SBC notes that the decision to hire a Spanish actor to play one of Mexico’s “national treasures” could cause controversy, but goes on to call the casting of Jaenada “a good choice.”

Former NBC Chairman and President, Ben Silverman, will executive produce “Cantinflas.” Alejandro Monteverde will direct from his own screenplay. Producers reportedly want to get a 2011 release date to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Cantinflas’ birth.

To read more go to Showbiz Cafe.