Silent film star Lupe Velez was one of the first Mexican actresses to succeed in Hollywood. Beautiful and exotic, she starred in a long string of moving pictures alongside leading men like Douglas Fairbanks and Gary Cooper. Unfortunately, her legacy has become overshadowed by her legendary death, a dramatic suicide that allegedly ended with her drowning in a toilet.
But a new biopic could make her more than another Tinseltown tragedy. According to Variety, actress Ana de la Reguera (Cowboys and Aliens, Nacho Libre) will produce and star as Velez in the tentatively titled Lupe. The film will chronicle the starlet’s “tumultuous yet incredible life and career”, from her fiery reputation to her off-screen relationships with men such as Cooper and Johnny Weissmuller.
It was also reported that director Carlos Carrera (The Crime of Father Amaro) will write the treatment and helm the project, which will be a co-production between the U.S. and Mexico. Lupe is expected to start filming early next year.
Are you familiar with Lupe Velez? Do you think de la Reguera is a good choice to play her?