Michael Pena to experience labor hero Cesar E. Chavez

PenaChavezMichael Pena's dream role has become a real possibility, because the "Crash" star is placed to experience sixties and '70s labor organizer Cesar E. Chavez within the indie drama "Chavez," which Diego Luna will direct from the script by Keir Pearson. America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty") is placed to co-star as his wife, Helen Chavez, while Rosario Dawson ("Trance") will have his right-hands aide, Dolores Huerta.Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal and Pablo Cruz will produce through Canana Films ("Miss Bala") together with John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon and Russell Cruz of Mr. Mudd ("Youthful Adult"). Pearson and Ray Meli will even function as producers.Pic represents Chavez organizing the biggest non-violent protest in U.S. history to complete his ultimate goal of acquiring fundamental human privileges for more than 50,000 farm employees in California. "This guy inspired a whole community to determine themselves as worthy of fundamental privileges and also to rise facing injustice," stated Luna. "The film will be sending the content that change is within our hands -- Chavez did something everybody thought impossible having a courageous sophistication that magnetized a whole country." "Chavez" will start shooting within the condition of Sonora, Mexico in April. Jackie Eckhouse and Karen Segall from Sloss Law discussed the offer with respect to Canana. Luna first went behind the lens with "J.C. Chavez," a documentary concerning the existence and struggles of legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez. In '09, Luna directed and co-authored his first feature "Abel," that was a success around the festival circuit.Pena, who lately made an appearance in Brett Ratner's "Tower Heist," next stars opposite Mike Gyllenhaal in Open Road's police pic "Finish of Watch," which co-stars Ferrera. Thesp also co-stars in "Gangster Squad," which Warners opens March. 12. Luna is repped by WME and attorney Bob Wallerstein, while Pena is repped by CAA, Management 360 and attorney Ron Genow. Ferrera is repped by ICM, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and attorney Jodi Peikoff, while Dawson is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and attorney Carlos Goodman. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com