“Wonder Woman” Gal Gadot is working on a movie highlighting the life of Fidel Castro — as in the late communist dictator responsible for the death and imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of Cubans. The woman who gained international fame for her superhero role will now shift gears to highlight the life of one of the world’s most notorious villains.
Last Wednesday, the Israeli actress confirmed that she will produce the film along with her husband, Yaron Versani, and former Warner Bros. executive, Sue Kroll, according to Deadline. There is also a possibility that Gadot will star as the film’s protagonist, American journalist Lisa Howard.
The film will be based on an article by historian Peter Kornbluh titled, “My Dearest Fidel: A Journalist’s Secret Liaison with Fidel Castro.” The piece, published for the May/June 2018 edition of Politico, tells the story of how Howard, ABC’s first full-time female reporter and solo anchor, developed a trusted relationship with Castro, establishing herself as a liaison between Cuba and the United States following the Cuban missile crisis.
From Politico:
“From mid-1963 to the end of 1964, Howard secretly relayed messages from Cuba’s revolutionary regime to the White House and back again; she also used her reporting skills and high-profile perch at ABC to publicly challenge the Cold War mind-set that Castro was an implacable foe of U.S. interests. Her role as peacemaker was built on a complex, little-understood personal rapport she managed to forge with Castro himself—a relationship that was political and personal, intellectual and intimate.”
“I’m so excited to bring this story to life with great creative partners in Gal, Jaron, Peter, and Chris,” Sue Kroll told Deadline. “This is a remarkable true story, anchored by an incredible woman, and lends itself to a dramatic and thrilling cinematic experience.”
I knew from the moment I read Peter's article about Lisa Howard's riveting story I had to tell this story!
Jaron and I are so excited to partner with Sue on bringing this story to the big screen. Just the beginning.. 😉#MyDearestFidel pic.twitter.com/UOee0CFxKo— Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) May 24, 2018
“When I first read Peter’s article, I was entranced by his thrilling account of a complicated, fascinating woman in the midst of a high-stakes, real-life drama,” Gadot said. “I knew immediately that I had to be involved creatively with telling Lisa Howard’s story, and am thrilled to be producing this film with Sue.”
The sympathetic portrayal of the infamous dictator responsible for the poverty, torture and religious oppression of so many Cubans is likely to be met with criticism. Castro’s death in November 2016 launched an international debate over the legacy of his regime, with many faith leaders warning that the dangerous ideology of socialism is still alive in the world.
“The socialists are regrouping in great number right now, and they will come back strong, organized, and more determined than ever,” Rev. Franklin Graham said at the time. “This battle isn’t over.”