9 Aug – Alina Fernandez, of whom the upcoming indie movie, "Alina of Cuba" is all about, recently defended the casting of James Franco as her estranged father and Cuban leader, Fidel Castro in the movie. Speaking to Deadline about the choice of the non-Cuban Franco to play the role, Fernandez stated that "The Disaster Artist" star has an obvious physical resemblance with Castro, aside from his skills and charisma. "The project is almost entirely Latino, both in front of and behind the camera," she said.
"To me, the most important thing about this movie is that the conversation about Cuba is alive. Personally, the experience is so far too unexpected but more than anything, humbling," she added. It is noted that Latino actor John Leguizamo previously expressed frustration over news of Franco's casting, which was later slammed by producer John Martinez O'Felan, who said that Leguizamo's words are a blind attack and "lack any factual substance."