“James Franco has an obvious physical resemblance with Fidel Castro, besides his skills and charisma,” she told the publication.
There had been public outcry from some over Franco’s casting, including from actor John Leguizamo, because the actor is not Latino.
“No more appropriation Hollywood and streamers! Boycott! This F’d up!,” he wrote. “Plus seriously difficult story to tell without aggrandizement which would b wrong! I don’t got a prob with Franco but he ain’t Latino!”
The film tells the story of Fernández, who was born as the result of a love affair between Cuban-born socialite Natalia “Naty” Revuelta and Castro.
“I’m sure that Mía Maestro, an actress I admire, will understand and interpret Naty, my mother, in a unique way and I can’t wait to see her building her character,” Fernández told Deadline.
“The project is almost entirely Latino, both in front and behind the camera,” she added.