Jennifer Lawrence cast as Marita Lorenz, the 19-year-old lover of Fidel Castro

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When I first saw that Jennifer Lawrence was going to play someone name “Marita,” I honestly thought Hollywood had gone too far and cast J-Law as a Hispanic woman. But it’s not so. The Marita in question is Ilona Marita Lorenz, a half-German and half-American woman. As a young girl, she lived in WWII-era Nazi Germany and she and her mother were forced into a concentration camp. After the war, Marita traveled with her ship captain father. Marita and her father landed in Havana, Cuba in 1959, just after the Cuban Revolution. She met Fidel Castro when she was just 19 years old, and they began an affair. And there’s a lot more. This is the woman Jennifer Lawrence will be playing.

After starring in a film inspired by the life of Miracle Mop creator Joy Mangano, Jennifer Lawrence is ready to tackle another real-life woman. The actress, who received her fourth Oscar nomination last week, is attached to portray Marita Lorenz in Marita, a hot pitch from Eric Warren Singer, co-writer of American Hustle.

Sony Pictures, moving aggressively, picked up the project from the Oscar-nominated scribe in a competitive situation. Marita centers on Lorenz and how she met and began an affair with Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 1959 when she was 19 years old. After becoming pregnant and having an abortion, Lorenz left Cuba and joined anti-communists in the U.S., where she was recruited by the CIA for an assassination mission. In 1960, she returned to Cuba to carry out the mission but, according to lore, yielded to love.

(Lorenz had quite the life, by the way. She also had an affair with a Venezuelan dictator, claimed to have been involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy and spied on diplomats for the FBI in the 1970s. She wrote two autobiographies and lives in Maryland.)

[From The Hollywood Reporter]

Do I think Jennifer Lawrence is the ideal candidate to play Marita? No, I do not. Do I think she’s the worst candidate? Not really. It could be much worse. They could have cast Nicole Kidman, you know? My big takeaway is that this is more about the idiot hive-mind of Hollywood, and J-Law is just That Girl, the one who gets the first look at every single female role ages 16 to 45. Every studio head is like “Get me J-Law!” This sounds like a decent bio-pic, but I would probably be more interested in it if they cast someone else, I guess. You can see a photo of Marita here.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.

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245 Responses to “Jennifer Lawrence cast as Marita Lorenz, the 19-year-old lover of Fidel Castro”

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  1. Katydid04 says:

    Just as long as they don’t pick Bradley Cooper to play Castro………….:/

    • Mia4s says:

      LOL! Oh god that is too horrible to imagine.

      If they’re smart they’re already on the phone to Oscar Isaac’s agent.

      • mia girl says:

        I selfishly hope that it is not Issac.

        I love him so much, and if he takes this role, my Cuban, still-very-staunch anti-Castro family would forever hate him. I don’t want to have to choose between my love for Oscar Issac and my family! AHHHHHHH

      • Mia4s says:

        Oh I doubt he would take it! But at the mention of Cooper all I could think was if the filmmakers didn’t think of a gorgeous, half-Cuban, great actor in his 30s first? Then there is truly no hope for Hollywood! 😉

      • CLINIQUA. says:

        Oh Oscar would be perfect.

        I think it’s funny how this is being billed as ’19 yr old lover of Fidel Castro.’

        That’s a white wash – that’s not all she was, nor is it what she’s most known for. This woman is known as the ‘patron saint of conspiracy buffs,’ purportedly heavily involved with the inner circle of those who may have done the JFK assassination. Google JFK and marita lorenz

        It will be interesting to see the take they do of this.

        Still a very dicey subject.

        I kinda wish it wasn’t jlaw, but then I don’t really want to see any other of H’wood’s go tos (kstew, Rooney Mara, mia waahwhatsername) in it either..I’d rather see Lawrence than them. Brie Larson or that Alicia gal could have been given a shot…but I think they want to move some tickets. Not that Lawrence has proved herself outside of big teen (or fanboy)franchises either.

      • mom2two says:

        Pedro Pascal is all I am saying.

      • mia girl says:

        No! I love Pedro Pascal too!

        Can it please be someone like Sean Penn so I can join my family in loathing him?! LOL

      • Saks says:

        Oscaar Isaac is way to short. I’d go with Demián Bichir or Edgar Ramírez. Demián has actually played Fidel before and he looked exactly like him.

      • Mia4s says:

        @Saks, Demián is lovely but he’s 52 years old!! Can we not?! Especially since at the time Castro was in his early 30s.

        Edgar is a possibility (only slightly older than Isaac) but also too short if that is a concern for you. He also just played a small supporting role in Joy and is more likely to take on a supporting role in general.

      • Saks says:

        @mia4s, I usually dont consider height that important in biopics but this time I think it is, because Jennifer is tall and Fidel is tall. So casting a short actor as Fidel opposite Jennifer would look weird on screen.

        You are right about Demián, but on character he is the live image of Fidel. If not him maybe Pedro Pascal or Rafael Amaya could be good options.

      • littlestar says:

        What about Eddie Cibrian?

      • noway says:

        If it’s good, I don’t want Bradley Cooper, but if it is going to be bad anyway please make Bradley Cooper play Fidel Castro. Come on that would be gold we would have such a field day and I need a really good laugh!!!!

      • Anne tommy says:

        Cos Cuba was such a paradise pre -Castro, Mia girl…Diego Luna might suit?

      • mia girl says:

        Anne tommy – I didn’t mention anything one way or another about life in Cuba or my feelings – just an attempt at humor.

        But now that you brought it up in a way that reads rude to my family, yes, most of my family (for their own good reasons by the way) continue to be passionately anti-Castro and feel there was a better life before he came in as a revolutionary and switched gears to become a communist dictator. I didn’t live through it so all I can do is respect their experiences.

        No doubt, it is a complicated and nuanced discussion that I really didn’t intend on getting into on my favorite site for fun on the internet.

        All I will say is that the members of my family who still live in Cuba wouldn’t be able to comment on this article because their opinion may not be state sanctioned and plus, they aren’t are allowed access to the internet. Paradise.

      • Anne tommy says:

        There is repression in Cuba I know Mia girl, and I am certainly not defending it. Your family Is entitled to their views and should be be able to express them freely. But it is not a good guys and bad guys situation. To give one example, under Castro Cuba developed One of the best healthcare systems In the world, at a time when the U.S. System for poorer people was pretty much a disgrace to a developed nation. And the southern United States were not exactly beacons Of democracy for PoC when Castro became Leader in Cuba. That doesn’t mean that suppression of rights should be ignored, just that there should be grown up reflection on pros and cons.

      • TotallyBiased says:

        And Mussolini made the trains run on time.
        Doesn’t change thousands of deaths and tens of thousands imprisoned (Google Castro Purges).
        The much-vaunted public health system was paid for by Russia’s billions in aid, and when that ceased the system fell apart. In many hospitals (not those seen by foreigners) Cubans must provide their own sheets, towels, pillows, and even sutures.
        Imprisonment for up to a year for saying anything derogatory towards authorities or the state.
        Illegal to even possess printed material determined to be in any way derogatory towards authorities or the state.
        And the Purges, though more restrained, still occur.
        So, yeah. More bad. Because all of that is, in Cuba, still legal and right.

      • Anne tommy says:

        I am conscious that we are a long way from Jennifer Lawrence. I have already made it clear that I do not in any way endorse the repression in Cuba. But as recently as 2014 the world health organisation found Cuba’s health system to to be one Of the best in the world, despite The damage done by the U.S. Embargo. I am not advocating embargoes but hope that the new U.S. President will be equally tough on other repressive regimes.

    • LadyMTL says:

      ROFL. I think if it’s not a David O. Russell film then we’re safe there.

      • La La Land says:

        God, this guy needs to end … right off into the sunset and just.. like I said, end. He can’t produce worth crap. He needed to hire better ghost writers / directors in the first place.

        I think besides Lawrence’s mouth and idiot sense of humor, David R may have helped damage her image…at least for now. He overexposed her in too many roles that she was ill fitted for.

      • Luce says:

        Damaged her image? I’m no ra-ra for DOR, but his films have gotten her three Oscar nominations. It’s obviously been the hugest career boost she could have had to break out from the franchises. She isn’t damaged. As Kaiser said, she is getting first shot at everything female from 16-45. Regardless of whether or not her talent merits it, she is the biggest movie star Hwood has produced in a long time.

        Most true “movie stars” aren’t the most amazing actors anyway. She gets AA nods because all of those old geezers want her sitting on their laps, both proverbially and literally.

    • Shambles says:

      If it’s Jeremy Renner as Castro I’m leaving.

      But on a serious note, looking at photos, I wouldn’t be surprised if they cast Johnny Depp as Fidel. But of course my fingers are crossed that it goes to an actual Latino actor.

    • C says:

      LOL loved Cooper comment

    • Sarah(too) says:

      ROFL! I spit my coffee on that comment.

    • Rockin Robin says:

      Please no!!!!!

  2. Cluelesswonder says:

    Guess there’s no 19 year old Cuban actresses. Oh well, Lawrence it is.

  3. Jade says:

    Well Hollywood’s diversity issue will not be helped by this casting, wo many talented Latina actresses who should have been considered

    • paranormalgirl says:

      Did you not actually read the original post? Marita Lorenz was not Latina.

    • truthSF says:

      Marita is German/American. Kaiser posted a link to her pic.

    • Mia4s says:

      The woman was German….seriously is anyone actually reading the story?!

    • nicole says:

      As others have said and the story above says, the woman was German.

    • Chinoiserie says:

      I have the feeling when the film comes out people will just assume it is whitewashing based on Hollywood’s track record and blame the film and Lawrence.

      • Kate says:

        Just like everyone got up in arms about her ‘playing a 40yr old’ in Joy, when actually she was playing near enough to her own age for the vast majority of the film.

      • lisa says:

        how can you whitewash a german american?

      • M.A.F. says:

        @lisa- same way people on here lack reading skills. They would see the woman’s name followed by Cuba and assume Marita Lorenz was Hispanic instead of actually continue to read and/or go to Google.

        I’m assuming that is what Chinoiserie meant.

      • Veronica says:

        In fairness, it is a kind of whitewashing – plenty of events in Castro’s life involve his relationship with other Latino and non-white individuals. They just chose to make a movie about the young, white woman he got involved with at some point.

    • Kate says:

      Sounds like a great story, and a great character for JLaw. I know that people are sick of her, but seriously, because of her awesome stories about young women are being greenlit left and right. It’s a big deal and something to be celebrated whether you personally like her or not.

      • Loladoesthehula says:

        @kate, awesome stories about young *white women are being greenlit. I know what you mean, but I’ve grown weary of the way J.Law’s success is lauded as some victory for women. She’s white, young and thin, her success is nothing groundbreaking. Not that she isn’t talented.

        I remember reading an article about how things were improving for women in film and all the leading ladies who were presented as evidence were white. It’s a step in the right direction, sure, but the “white women win, therefore, women win” type of thinking is dangerous and alienating. #yayintersectionality

      • kate says:

        Sure, but it is a huge step in the right direction. Her success is actually quite groundbreaking. To be helming huge blockbusters and serious dramas at her age is unusual, even for male actors. Actresses are usually lucky if they get to do one or the other for a brief period after ‘earning their dues’, JLaw’s getting to do both without first having to spend 15 years playing the love interest roles, the side-kick roles, the secretary roles. No it’s not a total upturning of business as usual, yes it would be awesome if Lupita and Gugu and Gina and dozens of other fantastic young POC actresses were also getting all these opportunities, but change has to start somewhere. The more success actresses like JLaw, Brie, Saorsie etc. have, the more female led films will be researched, written and made. The more female led films are made, the more chances there are that doors will open for POC actresses.

        Things can always be better. Right now we’re talking about all the POC led films that were snubbed this year, but from Beasts to Compton to Creed to Concussion, it’s all about male actors and directors. That’s not great either, but if all those films had been nominated, it would have still been a big step in the right direction. We can celebrate the tide turning, even it’s turning far too slow.

      • InvaderTak says:

        ” because of her awesome stories about young women are being greenlit left and right”

        Like what? You say that like there were no female lead movies before her. There were and a lot of them are way better. She didn’t invent anything here and I don’t see how she is opening any doors.

      • Loladoesthehula says:

        “The more success actresses like JLaw, Brie, Saorsie etc. have, the more female led films will be researched, written and made. The more female led films are made, the more chances there are that doors will open for POC actresses”

        See, this line of thinking makes me extremely uncomfortable. It just seems like a ploy to downplay white women being beneficiaries of white privilege. I’ve seen it happen so many times in discussions about the pay gap. It’s always framed as only an issue of gender, failing to mention that white women get paid more than men of colour.

        It ignores the complex intersection of race and gender. It also seems like a pretty farfetched conclusion to me. If Will Smith’s decades long box office success didn’t lead to that many opportunities for black actors, I doubt the advancement of white actresses will mean much for woc.

        Hollywood’s hierarchy mirrors society’s, and it’s a lot more complicated than you’re making it seem. White women as a yardstick for women’s progress will always be problematic.

      • Liberty says:

        An older friend’s late father was a Hollywood producer/director. She is not in the business, escaped to the east for a difference career path as soon as she could.

        She recalls him explaining at parties that in the US movies, positive or political social messaging was a PR bonus or an accidental benefit, once in a while a goal for some; but that in most cases, films were “products we make, and actors are just the buttons we choose depending on the style. If Topeka likes blue buttons, we’ll use blue buttons.”

    • MelissaManifesto says:

      The lack of diversity in Hollywood is disturbing, but the woman in question was German/American. Based on Ethnicity alone, Jen might be right.

      • nn says:

        What does ‘American’ mean? What kind of American? Native? WASP? AA? It says nothing about her other half.
        Besides that and more importantly, jlaw doesn’t look like Marita physically.

      • SugarQuill says:

        Dunno, their facial features seem somewhat similar to me based on the photo that Kaiser linked. In fact, the only thing that’s throwing me off is that Marita had darker hair, but that’s something that can easily be fixed. However, all of this might very well just be my poor eyesight playing tricks on me.

    • Boston Green Eyes says:

      I think many people just go straight to the comments without reading the article.

      Reading is Fundamental, folks!

  4. Allie says:

    I don’t mind Jennifer and I would probably be friends with her. That said, I feel like hollywood uses the same five people in all the “serious” films and I’m just bored. I don’t even see the characters anymore, I just see Jennifer Lawrence, loud actress, playing dress up in these movies.

    • moohoo says:

      feel the same way. it will be a gutsy, feisty performance but one we have seen many times now.

    • serena says:

      +1 agree

    • James says:

      But the same is true for Leo Di Caprio and all the other actors and actresses…They are the top actors and they get the parts. But there is so many movies that come out each year and Jennifer is in only 2 or 3 a year…Aren’t you exagherating a bit?

  5. lilacflowers says:

    David O. Russell isn’t directing; she’s not playing a 40 year old; she’s not shooting arrows at anyone or anything; there’s no whitewashing involved. I’m fine with this casting.

    • Shambles says:

      Forever and ever amen.

      Don’t forget— we don’t have to stare into B Coop’s serial killer eyes for two and a half hour either. As far as we know.

    • Alex says:

      Yes yes and yes. No DOR, age appropriate and a good fit. Yay (and I say this as a Jlaw fan)

    • Lizzie McGuire says:

      I think it’s the right direction for her career wise, she needs to step away from making movies with O Russell. What I’m more interested is who is going to be cast as Fidel, now that’s going to be the battle between all of the over 30 yo actors.

      • suziekew says:

        Where do you see that it WON’T be directed by DOR? I think it’s too soon to know who will direct and who will co-star. It could still, very easily be DOR and Coop. The screenwriter for this movie and probably the only reason Jennifer signed for this movie, is a DOR known associate. I think y’all are counting your chickens before they hatch. Unfortunately, this will be a DOR movie.

    • Little Darling says:

      My thoughts to a tee. This, to me, is fantastic casting.

      And my thoughts about the comments up thread about JLaw and being over it, or her, I agree with Kate (I think) in that Jennifer, love her or hate her, can play a lot of different types of characters well across a lot of different genres of film. She’s great in comedy, great at drama, she was able to do action in a believable way. I’d be hard pressed to think of many actresses her age who could jump from movie to movie without being seriously typecast. She’s not “the romcon” girl as so many starlets fall into, and that makes her unique.

      The casting hasn’t always been spot on with her, but I do think she brings a lot to each role she has. When she’s on screen, when with other famous actors, she commands attention. I think with more proper casting her true raw talent will start to come out again, a la Winters Bone.

  6. HeyThere! says:

    @Jade but the lady she’s playing wasn’t Latina. She’s German and American. Lol.

  7. TimeTraveller says:

    Marita was German so diversity issues here.

    Sounds like an interesting movie.

    I have no interest in seeing JLAW in anything so I will not be watching.

  8. TimeTraveller says:

    DIANE KRUGER. She would be perfect for this role!

    • Goats on the Roof says:

      I love Diane Kruger, but isn’t the part about a 19YO? She’s beautiful, but I don’t think it would be believable.

      • TimeTraveller says:

        I am willing to suspend belief!

        Plus 19 during the 1960s is like 30 now a days!

      • M.A.F. says:

        Going with TimeTraveller. If you were to look at photos of teenagers from that era, they do look older. Hell, even looking at my parents senior yearbook photos from 1978 they look older than those from my senior class (I’m in my mid-30’s).

    • Mia4s says:

      Diane is gorgeous, but she will also be 40 years old when this films. The real woman was 19 at the time.

    • BendyWindy says:

      She’s much too old to play a teenager, though. IMO, Jennifer is approaching too old as well, not because of looks, but emotional maturity.

      • fiona says:

        If jennifer is old enough to play a 35 year old, she can play a 19 year old. In fact I prefer older actresses playing younger roles than the reverse. It contributes towards ageism in hollywood.

      • Faith says:

        Actually more often than not at least in the UK they prefer their “teenage” characters to be older. Chances are a 16 to 19 wont have the maturity and understanding a 21+ plus will, also the older you are the assumption is you’ve had better training. Emotional maturity is a bonus because you can taken on the roll with more understanding.

    • Kate says:

      She’s 39. She’s gorgeous and she’s ageing beautifully, but at a stretch she could pass as a decade younger, not two.

    • Boston Green Eyes says:

      I agree! Diane Kruger is awesome! I just saw her in Farewell My Queen. She was wonderful!

    • my3cents says:

      I was going to post the same!
      Yes yes yes, so much more interesting, sick of Lawrence already…come on Diane is even German imagine that!

  9. Miss V says:

    I know people are going to come after me for this, but I don’t think Jennifer is a good enough actress to pull this off.

    • Chinoiserie says:

      What extactly is that difficult about this role? Or do you think Lawrence is generally untalented and was not good enough actress for her previous roles?

    • Lou says:

      No, it’s a fair comment. She is hugely overrated as an actress and people shouldn’t be afraid to say it. It’s good to see even major critics side-eyeing her recent wins and nominations.

    • Saks says:

      Agree. I think her has shown a very narrow range so far (her characters are quite different themselves but she plays them exactly the same). I’ll be quite impressed if she can pull this one of.

  10. Shambles says:

    People want so badly to be outraged that they’ll skip reading the actual information, especially when it comes to Jennifer Lawrence. C’mon. You guys are kind of proving last week’s point–that people will jump at absolutely any chance to tear this woman down, no matter how unfounded the outrage is.

    This sounds like an interesting film in the making.

    • moohoo says:

      definitely. must get one of the two bios mentioned about Ms Lorenz

      • sisi says:

        her mother was super interesting too. sadly therre doesn’t seem to be very much info on the internet about her.

    • Amelia says:

      Same here – very interested to learn more about this woman.

    • Kitten says:

      The hate directed towards her is so OTT in my opinion. She’s far from my favorite actress and overall I’m indifferent to her but all the anger directed towards her compels me to defend her. Call it “The Taylor Swift Effect”.

      (sorry Shambles)

      😉

      It does feel like people are waiting with baited breath to call her out on every perceived misstep, no matter how insignificant. The comments on this thread accusing her of taking a role away from a Latina actress–while unintentionally hilarious–are indicative of how massive the hate-on is for her.

      • Erinn says:

        THIS. So much, this! I used to waver between disdain and indifference over Swift – and I find myself defending her now.

        People love to hate on some really innocuous people – I don’t know if it’s largely assuming that because they’re in their 20’s they’re idiots, or if it’s over exposure, or what. But I quite like Lawrence for the most part; even the annoying things she does are pretty minimal, and only so well known because she’s JLaw.

      • Veronica says:

        I understand the blowback from oversaturation. However, it is not lost on me that the kind of vitriol aimed at young WOMEN is significantly worse than highly successful young men.

  11. Catwoman says:

    People just read the header and assumed she was Latina then sharpened their knives. You need to inform yourself before you go on the attack. I am sure she will be fine in the role.

    • nn says:

      Not really…Marita actually looks more latina (if you will) than German.
      She does not look german at all even though she is.
      Will they give jlaw brown contact lenses, they never look good on screen.
      Eva Mendez looks more like Marita than jlaw.

      • kate says:

        I’m not sure what pictures you’re looking at, but Marita looks like your average white German woman, then and now. Nothing at all like Eva Mendes.

        There are plenty of German people with dark hair and eyes, just as there are plenty of Latina’s with blonde hair and light eyes.

      • Shambles says:

        Diane Kruger is German and Anne Frank was German. What does “German” look like?

      • nn says:

        Ok, let’s play dumb I guess.
        I meant she does not look stereotypically german, she looks more like eva mendez than jlaw, meaning she leans more towards the darker features than lighter.
        Btw, Anne was jewish (askhenazi) in other words, NOT of german descent.
        Yet again they will have to makeover jlaw with hair dye, a light swarthyish tan (Marita has yellow undertones, jlaw has pink undertones) and brown contact lenses which will be super distracting because colored contact lenses never look good on hd screens.
        More importantly though, jlaw can’t act worth a damn but hey that’s hwood for ya.

      • Josefina says:

        Eh, what? As a latina who actually lives in Latin America, that woman in that picture is not what you stereotipically associate with our people. Light skin and small features? She looks pretty European to me.

    • cassie says:

      Josefina: there are countless Latinas who fit into the Germanic mold. If you really live in Latin America you know that women like them are not considered Latinas just because they do not fit the stereotypes of how a real Latina should look

  12. Lou says:

    I just have Jlaw fatigue at this point. I think she is a decent actress but is hugely overrated and i am so sick of her and Amy Schumer hyping up their friendship. Lainey hit it on the head when she said that the reason we love Tina and Amy’s friendship is that we know it is genuine, that they would still be friends without all the success and fame, but that Amy and Jennifer just seem to be forcing how UNIQUE and AWESOMELY COOL their friendship is when they barely met. Its like some studio executive or publicist said ‘ok, pair them up and make the internet jizz’

    It makes me zzzzzzzz

    • serena says:

      couldn’t have said it better.

    • Jess says:

      So she should just stop taking roles in the prime years of life (according to Hollywood since we all know how hard it is to get roles once you get older) because you’re sick of seeing her?

      lol people are truly hilarious with their outrage these days.

  13. HeyThere! says:

    If B-Coop worms his way into this movie….hahahah

    On a serious note, I enjoy j law. I have seen all her movies and am quite shocked that she gets nominated for so many awards. She sucked in Winters Bone. I always walk away confused because she’s not amazing but not terrible, yet everything she does gets her awards?! Even as a fan, I’m confused.

  14. InvaderTak says:

    I have a feeling this script is going to be horrible. The premise is good but I really doubt Hollywood would do it justice.

  15. Farhi says:

    So who is playing Fidel?

    I had the same initial reaction – Marita Lorenz, they couldn’t find a Cuban? But then read that she was German.

    Overall, not too excited about the story, A spurned lover turned anti-communist? Boring. Just shows the young girl had no convictions either way and was used by those around her.

    • Shambles says:

      Above I said I wouldn’t be shocked if they gave Fidel to Johnny Depp, but now I’ve reflected and I’m thinking Jason Momoa wouldn’t be a stretch either.

  16. TimeTraveller says:

    Or what about Sairose Ronan!

  17. Jennifer says:

    Marita looks kind of sassy. I hope they don’t make this into Sweeping Nonsense Melodrama.

    I actually see the similarity in the eyebrow and eye shape in other photos of Lorenz. The resemblance is striking. We’ll see how she plays it.

  18. Tig says:

    It’s an interesting topic for a movie, and with Cuba opening up, I hope they get to film some of the movie there. If they focus primarily on her relationship with Castro, then casting that will be crucial. Pls no one in their 50s( and don’t care if Castro WAS in his 50s when this happened-lol).

    • lilacflowers says:

      Castro was in his early 30s at the time.

      • Div says:

        I’m worried they are going to romanticize Castro 🙁

      • M.A.F. says:

        Hopefully Div they will focus more on the part where she helped try to assassinate him and not their “epic” love story.

      • Farhi says:

        There is more to Castro than the official public image of him. He was a man of his time and circumstances.
        If he were born in the US I have no doubt he would’ve been a capitalist and a very rich man.
        Castro made multiple overtures trying to reconcile with the US in the past 30 years but the US wasn’t interested.

      • Veronica says:

        Div – Castro is a pretty complicated figure, honestly. While his actions as Cuba’s leader haven’t always been laudable, his early years were spent as a revolutionary. Like his contemporary Che Guevara, much of what came out of that movement isn’t what anybody originally intended.

  19. Div says:

    Jennifer is a great actress but I feel like her habit of taking only Oscar bait roles and or blockbusters (this, Passengers, and the Steven Spielberg film) are going to contribute to her overexposure. I can’t think of that many stars who only do blockbusters and or Oscar bait…most mix it up with some bizarre indies, art house films, sci-fi dramas, or conventional “dramas.” Even Alicia Vikander, who has her pick of scripts right now, is following up Bourne with a Wim Wenders film and while Wim Wenders is incredibly respected his films aren’t Oscar bait (probably too European and arty for AMPAS). Scarlett Johansson does some interesting work and bounces from films like Under her Skin to Her to the Avengers. I’d love to see Jennifer do something quirky like “Under her Skin” or a Malick film or something like Crimson Peak.

    • Granger says:

      You’ve expressed exactly how I feel about Jennifer Lawrence. I think she’s a really strong actor, but she is so over-exposed, and doesn’t seem to mind one bit. She’s going to burn out, and everyone is going to be sick of her. She isn’t doing herself any favours by accepting every big role she’s offered.

      • serena says:

        That’s already happened to me, too bad because I can see she’s really talented, but I can’t take anymore of her movies.

    • kate says:

      She’s doing something with Darren Arofonsky and she’s worked with Susanne Bier. Passengers is more sci-fi drama than blockbuster really. If that film with Amy Schumer happens it will be a comedy.

      Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep have only been in Oscar Bait and blockbusters for years now. Every film DiCaprio does is Oscar bait. Redmayne and Cumberbatch are heading that way. Will Smith is trying to only choose Oscar Bait and blockbusters (he’s doing a bad job of it though). The always lauded DDL exclusively makes Oscar Bait films these days. Christian Bale, Naomi Watts, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman at times. Bradley Cooper, Robert Downey Jr. It’s not a rare thing.

      She’ll have plenty of time to explore genre’s and smaller films, arthouse films etc. in the future. Right now though everyone’s coming calling with interesting lead roles. She’d be crazy to turn down the huge opportunity’s heading her way. It’s not like she’s signed up to bad films, she’ll be working with some more great directors soon and her blockbuster’s are high quality, not Transformers style dreck.

      • Luce says:

        Have to disagree with your actor comparisons. In fact, other than Leo and Redcarpet, all of those actors you mentioned are mixing in films that are smaller or more avant garde. She worked with Bier several years ago as the hideous Serena (which was probably intended as Oscar-baity in itself even though it sure didn’t manifest that way). I do think the Passengers film is promising and doesn’t seem to be pandering for attention, but you kind of get the feeling that she acts for others rather than herself, which is fine. Who cares what your motivations are if you are getting good results? I personally haven’t seen beyond “JLaw” outside of Winter’s Bone, and with her increased profile and constant overshare, she is one of those that you see as just a movie star rather than an actor. Fortunately for her, as I said upthread, she has the old geezers in the Academy ga-ga for her, so she has been able to increase her star power through the Oscars. No wonder she is seeking only baity roles. That’s her acting schtick.

    • OrigialTessa says:

      I’d like to see her in a rom-com or something. Like a Bridget Jones type film. Just something that you know isn’t an attempt to win an award or make gobs and gobs of cash, but something purely for entertainment value. I enjoy Jennifer and I think she’d pull it off. I’d like to see her explore her humorous side in film.

    • Farhi says:

      I just want her to grow up. She seems so shallow and it reflects on her work. She is a good mimic, but I see no depth.

      • Miss V says:

        This!!! Such a great comment. People don’t call Jennifer out for this. She is not a performance actor. She is a mimic. She has a lot of screen presence. But a role that takes real acting skill would be tough for her. She just isn’t that good. And her immaturity shows in every move she makes, both personally and professionally.

      • Minxx says:

        I think that in Winter’s Bone she showed a HUGE potential and talent but David O. Russell stunted her growth as an actor – I don’t know how to call it but the movies she did with him brought her huge success way too soon in her career. She had no time to grow and mature, IMO.

      • Luce says:

        I agree, Farhi. That’s really well-stated.

    • CornyBlue says:

      I very much doubt if she will do everything she is signed on for. Bre Larson is now being considered for the Glass Castle role she was supposed to do.

    • Josefina says:

      This. I love Jen, but I really want her to go back to her indie roots and do something more interesting. Nobody who watched Winter’s Bone can say she’s a mediocre actress.

      Jen, you’ve already got it. You are our it-girl. You can do an indie film or 2, and I can guarantee you Hollywood will still have meaty roles for you. It’s cool if she wants to cash in money but I’d like to see her display her true talent once more.

      • HeyThere! says:

        I watched winters bone and was very let down. I didn’t see what I was expecting. It might be my fault? I watched it years later and heard a lot about her performance! I kept almost falling asleep, almost just shut it off a few times because the movie and acting sucked so bad.

    • dana says:

      Go look up Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts in the 90s. Or Meg Ryan in the 80s. Or Meryl Streep from 70s until now… Its always been this way and Hollywood aint changing. I remember as a kid hating Meryl, and i’d describe her the same way – overhyped, barely ok and overexposed. And this is the JenLaw decade lol. When Hollywood finds an actress they can throw into roles, they don’t change the formula. I’m not sure this is the project for her because I agree the writing has to be stellar and more importantly who is cast as Fidel. It could be very interesting but needs to be handled with care. JenLaw could use some reinvention and this could do it but Id really like her to research this project thoroughly to know all the sensitivities and history. Jlaw is a fine actress, Channing Tatum is a (ok)mediocre actor. JenLaw is a fine actress. Overhype and overexposure aside, she delivers – and to get more diversity and range on screen – we don’t need to devalue other actresses because that defeats the purpose. Also, the person saying she doesn’t look German enough – did you see the pic, her modern day pic as well as the one here. JenLaw has played a dark haired actress most of the time lol.

      • Luce says:

        I agree fully with your take on Julia being way overrated and a limited actress. Nicole and Meg didn’t come close to having the star power, influence, or box office of Julia or JLaw. Personally, I don’t think Meryl shouldn’t be in the same conversation as she is a legitimately good actress. I agree, too, that the scope of her talent is a moot point since she puts butts in the seats and money in the studios. As long as that happens, she will continue to rise.

  20. nn says:

    They look nothing alike.
    Even though Marita is German she does not look it.
    She looks more like Eva Mendez tbh.
    Also, jlaw is not a good actress.

    • Anne says:

      lol Just because Marita is a brunette and have dark eyes doesn’t mean Evan Mendes looks more like her. Don’t be ignorant. Marita was half German/American. She doesn’t look like a latina. Jennifer actually is German descendent and have you heard about coloring your hair?

      • Josefina says:

        Seriously. What’s up with people reading “Fidel Castro’s lover” and immediately thinking of Eva Mendez? She looks the part of Marita as much as Lucy Liu. Lucy would do a better job, even, as she is actually a good actress.

    • Jess says:

      “Also, jlaw is not a good actress.”

      Yeah, I’m calling bullshit on that. Name me one professional film critic that has stated that Jennifer Lawrence cannot act. You can hate her personality but it just seems really petty to bash her acting talents.

  21. Easypeasy123 says:

    I think the was already made into a Lifetime movie

  22. M.A.F. says:

    I saw this yesterday and the first thing I did was go straight to Google. At least they are casting within ethnic range. Although, that might change when it is announced who is playing Fidel.

  23. Jade says:

    Different Jade here. I do think JLaw is talented and good on her for her success but personally I am getting JLaw fatigue. How about Sairose? Ellen Page? Chloe Moretz? Elizabeth Olsen? Abigail Breslin? Alice Englert looks like her. She also looks a bit like young Lilo …comeback of the decade if she cleans up hahah. Shailene Woodley maybe but I would be cringing whenever she does press and interviews on her organic lifestyle. Dakota Johnson? This is fun. Wonder if Kristen would want this.

    • sisi says:

      Cloe could be absolutely perfect. But apparently there’s a rape controversy in the history of Marita, so an older actress is perhaps a better choice.

    • Farhi says:

      Agree, Chloe would be perfect. She has the intensity that the role needs and JLaw actually doesn’t have it.
      Kristen Dunst would be another good choice.

    • CornyBlue says:

      Both Abigail Breslin and Chloe Moretz do not have the acting chops to match JLaw. Others you mentioned specially Ronan would be amazing.

    • G says:

      oh dear. Its not Jlaw’s fault those actress don’t have a better career. It’s always like this. You got a young popular actress so everytime she is cast in anything, fans are whining the other actresses don’t get roles. Jennifer has talent not only on screen, but choosing her roles. She has proven herself. Its not her fault other don’t have the same talent or are wise enough to get the better roles which will make their talent shine the most. Or maybe you know, it’s Hollywood who doesn’t write more good female roles and give the chance to other actresses. But sure, its all Jennifer fault. She should retire to give the chance to others. Then when the next it girl comes, people will be complaining she is the only one getting roles.

      • Jess says:

        Funny how theres no ‘fatigue’ comments with male actors in the mainstream press or just in general if look at the comment sections on other websites.

        Tom Hardy’s grabbing roles left and right and no one is ‘fatigued” by him.

      • Jade says:

        When did I say it was her so called fault for having talent and getting the limited and good Hollywood female roles? JLaw has earned her success with talent, hard work, good team and luck. Hollywood not writing more good female roles have nothing to do with her. I added that I am personally getting fatigued as that’s my personal opinion. I do not mind seeing more young female actresses gain their standing. It benefits her and other females. I did not say the whole world feels fatigue. For the record, I may still watch the film even if she’s in it because I want to hear about the story.

        @Jess there is plenty of both subjective and objective criticism here over actors like Hardy, Cumberbatch, Cooper, Redmayne, Leonardo. Take your pick. Frankly if you want to compare fatigue, they and JLaw are like apples and oranges because I personally cannot think of a male equivalent of her anyway. She is in a league of her own. Not everything is about being sexist, Madonna.

      • Jess says:

        @ Jade

        “is plenty of both subjective and objective criticism here over actors like Hardy, Cumberbatch, Cooper, Redmayne, Leonardo.”

        You’re living in a bubble if you think that male actors get the same criticism in comparison to female actresses. On THIS site there might be criticism but show me any comment section on a mainstream website right now where people are claiming to be ‘fatigued’ from seeing Tom Hardy, Eddie Redmayne, Leonardo etc. in movies. You can’t because that never happens.

        Hell when the Gloden globes incident broke out last week, people we’re bashing Lawrence and bringing up the nude photo leak to make fun of her (just take a look at reddit and twitter). Does that happen with Tom Hardy any time there’s a story about him being a diva on set? People generally don’t call him a cunt or bring up his embarrassing myspace photos to make fun of him like they do with Lawrence.

      • Jade says:

        @Jess if you’re talking about other sites and in general and even here, I agree there always tend to be more criticism on female actors than the male ones. Doesn’t mean there is NO criticism of male actors. There is lesser. My personal opinion on this story still stands. I don’t know how to tell you I am not anti Jennifer. When her nudes leaked, I did not even blame or attack her for it.

      • Jess says:

        @Jade

        I agree with your point that male actors do get criticism but I just think that female actors tend to get more flack over things male actors never have to worry about, like being overexposed for one.

        I also don’t think you’re anti-Jennifer at all, it’s just disappointing to see people getting fatigued from her since she’s at the peak of her career right right now. Considering how Hollywood only gives young starlets a few years to snag amazing roles, let Jen have her moment lol.

  24. perplexed says:

    She’s the “It Girl,” but it seems like she’s getting better roles than Julia Roberts ever did. Maybe J-Law is better at reading for scripts and going gung-ho for those parts. Why did Julia Roberts pick such bad movies, or have times changed?

    • Farhi says:

      Julia Roberts is a really bad actress but also despite people saying that there are not enough good roles for women etc, the situation is much better now than 20 years ago. There are more serious movies about women now.

    • G says:

      Exactly. Jennifer have talent but in Hollywood isn’t just about that, you also need to be smart with your choices. She had some important choices along the way and she obviously did it right. You can’t fault the girl for being talent and smart. The other actress need to step up their game.

    • lunchcoma says:

      Times have changed. Roberts made her mark in romantic comedies, tried to branch out with poor results, and ended up focusing on roles in a fairly narrow range that still attracted critical attention.

      JLaw’s early career has been heavy on action movies, which I think always gave her a wider base to expand from, since they expose her to a wide range of viewers. There were a few roles of that type available in Roberts’ early career, but not nearly as many and not in the stable franchise formula that gives actors something to fall back on between little films.

  25. gavin says:

    The worst part of this movie is not casting Jennifer Lawrence (maybe it is), it is that this movie is being made at all. There is already a movie about Marita Lorenz and Fidel Castro starring the lovely Gabrielle Anwar, My Little Little Assassin (1999).

  26. mkyarwood says:

    Meh. Are they just going to cast her in everything? She’s a crap actress right now, in my opinion. She showed a lot of promise early in her career, and I also liked her well enough as young Mystique, but once she caught the franchise wave, she realized she could phone it in with 5 or 6 faces and 2 or three voice changes. St Angie Jo is like that too.

    • LadyWish says:

      Really? I thought she was a terrible Mystique. I was a fan of her up until then – I loved her in the Hunger Games and Winter’s Bone, had mixed feelings about Silver Linings Playbook (maybe it’s her voice in and of itself? I just wasn’t convinced she WAS her character; I’m always way to conscious that she’s the one portraying that character) but I supported her overall until X-Men. Her acting was just so… bad…

      • Farhi says:

        I feel exactly the same. She is a good fit for Hunger Games but not X-Men. I watched one of the X-men on a plane, for James McAvoy, let’s be honest. Couldn’t believe how bad JLaw was in it. She was basically just JLaw, no acting whatsoever.

  27. RedWeatherTiger says:

    I’m just so tired of Jennifer Lawrence. She may (for me) out-Hathaway Hathaway in terms of overexposure-inspired loathing.

  28. celine says:

    Hispanics come in all colors, I’m Cuban and a redhead with hazel eyes. There’s not a cookie cutter version of Hispanics. As far as a Castro biopic, we lost everything to that monster, taking our homes and businesses and family lives. That’s not a picture I’m paying to see. Rant over.

  29. serena says:

    Sigh.. I really think she is beautiful and talented, but can’t they ever cast someone different? There are so many actresses striving for good roles and they always cast the same people! Enough! She looks nothing like the real Marita and while I think she’d do a great job regardless, I think she needs to step out a little and go away for a while or better, play some supporting character.

  30. sisi says:

    Not sure I would find J-law convincing in a period piece. She has a more modern feel about her in general. The seventies already felt rather farfetched in American Hustle.

    It’s definitely something different for though

    • Farhi says:

      I think so too. I don’t see her as a German girl from the 50s who went through a concentration camp. She doesn’t have the underlying depth to play someone who truly suffered.

      • Minxx says:

        Totally agree!

      • qwerty says:

        I might’ve bought her as a serious person with depth if I didn’t know what she’s like irl. Overexposure always kills it for me. Not zure she’d be believable to me in any role at this point to be honest.

  31. Dani says:

    JAVIER BARDEM FOR FIDEL CASTRO!!!!

    I’m not crazy about Jennifer, at all, but she actually does kind of look like Marita in the picture that’s linked, especially if they dye her hair dark. I don’t think she has such great acting chops, but to each their own. Seems like a somewhat appropriate casting so only time will tell.

    • Alex says:

      I believe Javier is being considered for a different role opposite Jen in another movie.

    • Carla says:

      Oscar Isaac is a much better choice. Javier is too old. You know people will complain if they cast him. He is over 20 years older than Jennifer. Oscar isn’t.

      • Dani says:

        Since when do they cast anyone age appropriate, ever? I think JL is much taller than Oscar Isaac.

      • Luce says:

        Height is very easy to overcome with movie magic, even though Castro was tall. Oscar Isaac has such incredible screen magnetism that his height matters very little.

    • Jess says:

      See does look like Marita right? Especially if you look at a side by side comparison of the two: http://i.imgur.com/X3Gf1c1.jpg?1

      I think see can pull it off

  32. jbap says:

    I’m laughing at this comment thread. For ages people have being complaining that J-Law is playing roles too old for her, and now they are complaining that she doesn’t look 100% like the person she’s playing – as no one ever does in a biopic! It’s fine casting – obviously so.

    I’m also amused at people saying Diane Kruger would be better. Even leaving aside acting ability (Lawrence has much more range), what on earth would a 40-year be doing playing a 19-20 year old?

    Also, people giving out that she gets cast in everything should remember that this film wouldn’t be happening if she wasn’t interested. Lawrence is the only female star of her age who can open films based on female character arcs. (Joy was a critical failure, but has made 85 million dollars global box office so far – way more than any of Spotlight, Room or Carol.) Do people really think Sony would be funding this with someone else involved?

    • perplexed says:

      “Also, people giving out that she gets cast in everything should remember that this film wouldn’t be happening if she wasn’t interested. ”

      That’s a good point.

    • Farhi says:

      “Do people really think Sony would be funding this with someone else involved? ”

      That is true. While I think JLaw won’t be able to pull this off, no other actress would get the financing to make this movie.
      Still it doesn’t make JLaw a good fit.

    • TimeTraveller says:

      There is a huge problem if only movies JLAW is interested in are going to me made.

      • perplexed says:

        Isn’t that the way most movies get made though? Its not a new trend that started with her. An A-list actor usually has to express interest for a movie to get off the ground. Would By The Sea have gotten financed if Angelina Jolie and Brad hadn’t expressed a desire to actually be in it? I read that Natalie Portman directed could only be green-lit if she had agreed to star in it, which is why she cast herself (even though she herself thought the role could have potentially been given to someone else).

    • CornyBlue says:

      Carol, Room and Spotlight are also made for a lower budget ( around 12 mil, 6 mil and 20 mil if i recall correctly) whereas that of Joy was 60 million. Room and Spotlight are by A24 and Open Road, both independent studois whereas Joy is by Fox. I agree with you that JLaw is able to open films but it is very unfair to comapre them to the films you did. By your argument Sairose Ronan should be leading all films as her film with a budget of 10 million made about 30 million.

      • Dee says:

        I think you’re just proving the point Jlaw brings the money. The bigger the budget, the bigger is the risk. Joy wasn’t critical acclaim and yet is making money when it should have flopped like Jobs did. Jobs had the acclaim and still didn’t make any money. If any of the movies you mentioned had a bigger budget and studio they would still not make money because they don’t have more going for them, like a star who actually make people go see their movies.

      • CornyBlue says:

        Ok this thing about films with bad reviews not being watched when these films are big studio films is not true at all. Being from a big studio also means having a huge advertising push which Joy absolutely did. Also i never ever said that JLaw does not bring in money but that comparing it to the other 3 films is unfair.

    • Liberty says:

      + 1

  33. jbap says:

    Incidentally, I see that Lorenz moved to New York with her family when she was eleven. So no, a German actor would not be better casting than J-Law!

  34. Minxx says:

    J-Law needs to take a year off, seriously. She’s so overexposed, even I’m getting tired of her.
    But movie executives are so dumb, they’ll cast her in anything. Remember the Sony leak with Sorkin’s “Who the fu** is Fassbender?” (when casting Steve Jobs movie). There was another exchange leaked on the casting of (so far untitled) WW II romance/drama, starring Brad Pitt and an actress who was supposed to play his FRENCH wife in the movie. Who did they want? Their No. 1 pick was J-Law! “is she available?” Fortunately, they went with Marion Cotillard. I don’t have to add that Bradley’s name was mentioned too – it’s like they have 3-4 names on the list for every project.

    • TimeTraveller says:

      +1

    • FingerBinger says:

      I disagree. J-Law should continue working because her career is on fire. She’s the it girl that’s not going to last. She should however stop doing interviews and being bff’s with Amy Schumer.

      • Miss M says:

        She is taking all these projects because she knows that she won’t be in demand for too long. Once she is too old in Hweird terms, she will go back to Indie movies, take a break, etc. Right now, she is cashing in as muh as she can taking advantage of Oscar recognition and franchise success. I can’t fault her for that.
        Ps: please, no B-cooper.
        Pps: will Che be portrayed in this movie at all? If yes, what about Gael Garcia Bernal? He played Che twice already…

      • tealily says:

        Seriously, if I was her I would be taking the money and running right now. Why wouldn’t you??

    • TimeTraveller says:

      Anne Hathaway would also have been a great choice.

      JLAW will become the poster child all things wrong in Hollywood.

      Privileged white actress, rude, spoiled, entitled, and reward for mediocre work.

      • Grace says:

        @timetraveller
        Hathaway for playing a 19 years old?
        Your comment said more about you than Lawrence

      • lunchcoma says:

        I like Anne Hathaway and think people give her too hard of a time, but she’s 33! She’s past being age-appropriate for that role, and I’d be surprised if she were all that interested in it.

    • jbap says:

      I find the idea that Lawrence should take a year off to be a bit sexist, frankly. No one has ever said that about a male actor, to my knowledge: why does this demand for new faces and new bodies only apply to the girls?

      Also, Lawrence has a finite career: she needs to book her good roles now, before the next generation come up and she’s out of fashion. I admire her for doing exactly that – and I see she’s also producing this film. Top marks to her for that.

      • dana says:

        amen – @jbap.
        I get people are sick of seeing JenLaw in the immediate but you never see – Im sick of Ryan Reynolds getting roles and all his movies flop. I’d take JenLaw over mediocre actor Liam Hemsworth any day of the week. He’s offered Independence Day and the guy can barely act and really just cruised off JenLaw wings. Chris is not that much better without that Thor Hammer, failed BO success. Nicholas Hoult, unless covered in makeup in a franchise, unsuccessful and mostly unrecognizable leading a project and he is a good actor, just no charm or charisma. I’m sick of Shia being hired even tho he’s got anger mgmt issues. Emile Hirsch wins another role and he physically abused a woman. But actresses, especially JenLaw, we bash constantly – when all of her film minus Serena have been huge BO success stories. Kristen Stewart said she took two years off and now filming 4 films a year to make up from the scandal and she’s still called a bad actress. Do the guys take time off to make up from the scandal? Ladies, lets be real here. lol

      • Farhi says:

        “No one has ever said that about a male actor, to my knowledge:”

        They said it about Cumby last year. And he didn’t take any time off either.
        I agree with your overall point, people on the top of their career shouldn’t take time off. There are always others nipping at the heels.
        Especially when it comes to young actresses.

    • Eggplant says:

      @Minxx I’m so glad Marion was cast and I cannot, cannot believe JL was even on the longest long list possible for that role. WTF? She can’t even do a NY accent properly, apparently. She plays herself all the time.

  35. CornyBlue says:

    Will not watch as I do not like biopics but if they cast Oscar Issac as Castro………

  36. CG says:

    I thinks Marita actually looks extremely similar to Anne Hathaway, especially in the linked picture. Her eyes and smile in particular.

  37. Saks says:

    I’m not a Lawrence fan at all but I dont see anything wrong in this casting (except for her acting chops, which personally I dont think are that great). Marita was a German-US citizen and her story is very interesting, it will be an appropiate, different and challenging role for Lawrence.

    I’m more interested in who are they going to chose for the Latin cast. Oscar Isaac is way to short to play fidel. Demian Bichir, who has played Fidel before, would be a better choice. Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos were still alive at the time they first met, so it will be interesting to see how and who will portray them.

  38. Danielle says:

    Having just watched Winter’s Bone, and you should all check it out if you haven’t, I’m excited to see her in this role! 😄

  39. Josefina says:

    If it’s not directed by O’Russell and co-starred by Bradley Cooper, I’m all in.

    I find it hilarious people say JLaw is overrated when all comments you read here are negative, and people even jump on her for playing a latina woman who is actually white and European. Studio heads may be all over Lawrence, but the audience sure is experiencing JLaw fatigue.

  40. Babyswans says:

    So… My grandmother knew Marita when she lived in Cuba. Marita attended her wedding at the Havana Cathedral. I’m kind of excited to see this! I don’t know a lot about her because my family lost everything in the revolution. They were fine at first, but eventually soldiers showed up at their business and home, “took for the benefit of the state” (stole) money, jewelry, and cars. Any way, they quickly left for P.R. As you can imagine and anyone who has lived through something like that, she doesn’t speak kindly of any of them. She lives in Miami now where she attends a yearly reunion of her all girls Catholic school in Havana. It’s pretty neat to see pictures of those reunions.

  41. SusanneToo says:

    Did anyone else see Deutschland 83? I don’t recall her name, but the actress who played the East German gf/true believer would be perfect for the role IMO. Funny, while watching the show she reminded me a bit of JL, but fresher.

  42. fiona says:

    I don’t think Jennifer is too old for this role. After all, 19 year olds in that era looked like they were in their late 20s! Also if she can play a woman in her mid 30s, she can play someone 5 years or so younger. I prefer it this way around anyway, it helps to prevent ageism at least a little bit. I mean, we get women in their mid 30s playing the mother of 20 year olds. Compared to the stupid age differences in love interests in films & the unrealistically young mothers in films, this is a GOOD thing.

  43. Andrea says:

    It seems like good casting to me. Jennifer Lawrence is hot right now. I would cast her as well. Not sure why everyone seems to want to chop her down. Let her flourish, she is at the beginning of her career and has surpassed everyone in her age group and beyond. Women are kicking ass and having more interesting roles are created for them. What an interesting story this will be. They should cast Oscar Isaac as Fidel Castro. He would be great.

  44. Gobo says:

    My take from this is that she’s going back to work with a crew she’s enjoyed working with, before. I highly doubt the pitch would have got off the ground if it wasn’t for her involvement, meaning the role would never have been available to other actresses.

  45. lunchcoma says:

    Eh. This one doesn’t bother me. It’s not whitewashing, and 19 is a lot closer to JLaw’s 25 than a lot of other roles she played. I wouldn’t gripe at her being cast at 30, either. It’s when they start putting her in roles for women 10 or 15 years her senior that it starts to bug me both from a bias perspective and for the simple fact that she’s not so believable in those roles. Now, if they cast her as a 13-year-old, I’ll start to complain again.

    • Liberty says:

      “At the age of 70, French actress Sarah Bernhardt played 13-hr-old Juliet (Romeo &).”

      • lunchcoma says:

        Theater is and always has been rather different in terms of casting, and that play in particular is often cast older because of both its complexity and modern audiences’ reaction to the character’s age.

        That being said, if Jennifer Lawrence has shown herself to have half the acting talent of Sarah Bernhardt by the time she hits 70, I will nod at her playing Juliet and will even drag my 80-year-old self to the theater to watch her. Until then, I’d appreciate her being cast in roles a bit closer to her own age – it’s not like there’s a shortage of them for women in their 20s.

    • Kate says:

      She was playing a 20-something in SLP and Hustle, as well as for about 80% of Joy.

      With SLP they lowered the age of the character a bit for her, with Hustle they switched the ages of JLaws and Amy’s characters and re-wrote them (literally the first time her character comes up Bale’s character talks about how much younger she is than him), and with Joy she just happened to be near enough to Joy’s actual age for most of the period they were showing (Joy was a big success by her mid thirties, the film was focused on her path to that success).

  46. Guest says:

    Yaaawn. Another Bio Pic. Another Jlaw movie…. I am so fed up with her. Why is she everywhere? Why is Hollywood acting as if there is no other actress? And don’t say it is because she brings the money…. Because then I might freak out even more…..

  47. Marianne says:

    It sounds like the woman had an interesting life, so maybe it will be good. Im just happy to see more films about women being made.

  48. Amelie says:

    Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel channel did a Cuba episode recently and they covered this story about the former lover returning to Cuba to assassinate Castro on the CIA’s orders. Sounded fascinating and I love Jennifer Lawrence but I think somebody else in this role would be more interesting.

  49. tealily says:

    These comments have truly gone off the deep end. I’m just here to say I’d rather see her cast as a 19 year old than a 45 year old.

    • Miss M says:

      I agree with you!

    • word says:

      I actually think she might be good in this role. I don’t mind her acting…she’s a lot more talented than many actresses I can think of. I guess we’ll see. I want to know who is going to play Castro.

  50. damn…… hollywood…. I can think of a million other actress to play that woman… not nordic looking j law…

    i swear to god they are about to get Matt damon (adjustment bureau-esque style) to play Malcolm X one day….. then ALL HELL WOULD BREAK loose…

    #HollywoodIRRELEVANT

    • Riemc526 says:

      Ummmm but as other people have pointed out, Marita was American of German descent just like JLaw. How does that tie in with Matt Damon playing Malcolm X?

  51. Christina says:

    the real Marita looks like Winona Ryder

  52. lovemesseg says:

    I must admit this has been a funny thread.

    All over a movie that will not come out for years!

    But I should get back to work as JLAW says “bro you can spend your life behind a phone”

    • suziekew says:

      Except it will be here sooner than you think. THR is saying that it’s being fast tracked which means it will shoot fairly soon. I predict it will be out by next year.

  53. HollyWont says:

    Yes, German/American – but definitely didn’t look like it.

  54. Eggplant says:

    She’s all hype and superficially, I don’t even find her attractive. And God, the worse thing is her stupid personality and idiotic comments. Next!

  55. Patty says:

    No. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least three better choices. They could have got someone like: Tatiana Maslany. Even Alicia Vikander would have been a better choice. Or someone like Brie Larson (with darker hair of course). But people are right, she is the go to female right now. My prediction, she’ll be burnt out by age 30.

    • James says:

      “She will be burned out by age 30″…and so will Alicia Vikander and other actresses. People are talking Jennifer Lawrence fatigue and that she is in every movie while she was in only 2 movies in 2015. Alicia Vikander was in like 6 movies in 2015!!…Don’t be ridiculous people, stop hating.

  56. Cc says:

    These days it’s like every other female role in Hollywood goes to either JLaw, Shailene Woodley or Chloë Grace Moretz. IT’S SO annoying. I’m seriously tired of these 3.

  57. DK says:

    I too have JLaw fatigue. I would love to see Soirse or Brie Larsen in this. It seems more difficult to make an actress look younger (not really possible?) compared to making them look older. I am just grateful, finally, it is not Julia Roberts cast! LOL. JLaw is the new Julia Roberts!

  58. lila fowler says:

    Some of these comments are everything that’s wrong with the internet. Outrage over not hiring a Latina actress, when the the real woman was Euro-American. Not even BOTHERING to read the article before spouting off in the comments… yeah. Y’all showed your ignorant assses! lol

  59. wonderingaboutthehate says:

    Do you know what a ‘bankable’ actress or actor is? It is one who has draw proven enough that banks will finance a picture BECAUSE the actor or actress is attached. As far as I know, JLaw is the ONLY one remotely in her age range. So, sure, she gets pick of roles. And sure, it is based as much on popularity as strict acting talent, although I think you are deluding yourself that a four time academy nominated actress doesn’t have talent. (the question is whether others with talent may be overlooked, but that is hardly her fault.)

    Plus in this case the role was written by the scriptwriter for her (possibly in part because financing follows her) AND she is partly producing it (i.e. putting up money to produce it.)

    Why on earth is there all this hate at a 25 year old trying to do her job? Just because she is popular? Popularity is never ‘fair’. It just is.

    For the record, I only recently started paying attention to ‘JLaw’ and am not remotely tired of her.

    • Jess says:

      Thank You! I’m laughing at all the ‘fatigue’ comments here. Like seriously people, no one is forcing you to watch a Jennifer Lawrence movie when it comes out. She’s also producing a lot of these upcoming movies she’s in (including this one) so I don’t really understand this dumb outrage. Is a successful young woman in Hollywood supposed to step down and give roles away to her competitors in the industry?

      Funny how there’s no ‘fatigue’ comments in general over Oscar Issac or Tom Hardy landing roles left and right.

      • Eggplant says:

        OI and TH are 1st class actors, absolutely 1st class, though TH is less versatile than OI.

        On the other hand, JLaw is famous for playing variations of herself, improvising a girl-on-girl straight-man-fantasy kiss, and winning an Oscar for possibly the most overrated role in the most overrated film in the history of the world.

        And the “no one forced you to watch” defense is feeble. They’re in the public eye. They all are, by their very nature, asking for us to watch and listen. Go away, JLaw, you’ve had too much already. I’d feel the same even if she wasn’t so obnoxious as a person. Minimally talented. Absolutely minimally talented. Film star, not serious actor. People hire her because the lowest common denominator find her watchable. I mean, she made Joy a hit. I personally can’t wait until she sinks into oblivion.

      • Jess says:

        @Eggplant

        “OI and TH are 1st class actors”

        …and Jennifer Lawrence is not? I guess that’s why OI and TH both have Oscars correct? They’re super talented but Jennifer Lawrence can hold her own against them.

        “Go away, JLaw, you’ve had too much already”

        Really? That’s the argument you’re going with? You’re hating on someone just because you think they make too many movies? Do you not realize how ridiculous that is? Her job is to ACT in movies Eggplant. Would you tell a female CEO to go away or step down because they’re too successful? Utterly ridiculous…apparently actresses should limit their careers to appease their detractors.

        “JLaw is famous for playing variations of herself”

        Hmmm, I didn’t know that playing a teenage girl in the Hunger Games is so similar to her roles in the David O’Russell films….I guess every professional critic who has praised her for her acting chops clearly know nothing.

        “People hire her because the lowest common denominator find her watchable.”

        Wow, you’re blinding me with your intellectualness Eggplant. I guess I’m the “lowest common denominator” because I found her performance in Silver Linings Playbook relatable (since she suffers from bi-polar disorder in the movie). You know what they say about people who suffer from any mental illness, we’re the lowest common denominator.

  60. Jules says:

    @Jess: Once again, bravo Jess!. Awesome reply, and I couldn’t agree more.