EXCLUSIVE: Richie Adams (Road dance) set the cast for Peter Pan, a historical thriller based on real events, which he will direct. The film is scheduled to begin production in Mexico in early November and will star the Emmy Award winner. Nestor Carbonell (Shogun), Universal love (Downton Abbey), Danny Pino (Maya MC), Paz Vega (Spanish), and Oscar nominee Andy Garcia (Father of the bride).
The story takes place after Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution. Peter Pan dramatizes one of the largest child rescue missions in modern history. The film follows a Cuban socialite, an English schoolteacher and an Irish Catholic priest from Miami as they lead a daring operation to help more than 14,000 children escape communist indoctrination and start a new life in America, evading Castro's secret police at every turn.
The real-life Operation Pedro Pan took place between 1960 and 1962, when Cuban parents, fearing their children would be indoctrinated under the Castro regime, sent them to the United States as part of a secret program supported by the Catholic Church and the US government. The children arrived without their parents, with only a small suitcase, and were then placed with relatives, foster families or Catholic Charities. This remains the largest recorded exodus of refugee children in the Western Hemisphere.
Today, the legacy of the exodus lives on through Operation Pedro Pan Group, a non-profit organization created by former children of Pedro Pan to preserve the program's history and sponsor similar programs that help children in need, regardless of race or religion.
Adams and Bart Gavigan (End of the Spear, Mouth of Hell) wrote the script based on a story by composer Carlos José Alvarez (Cocaine Cowboys: Kings of Miami). Steve Shapiro (ur.Find me falling, November man), Adams, Alvarez, Liz and Ken Whitney (Honor Tommy, Mongoose) is produced along with Luisa Gomez de Silva (All is lost, saw X) for the provision of production services. David FrankelThe Devil Wears Prada, Marley and Me) and Brent Miller (I carry you with me before we forget) serve as executive producers.
“Peter Pan tells a story of courage, sacrifice and hope that resonates far beyond the borders of Cuba and America – it is a universal story of family and freedom,” said Alvarez, the son of two Cuban exiles who participated in the operation.
Adams added: “I am honored to bring this chapter of history to the screen with such an outstanding cast, whose talent and authenticity will bring depth and truth to these roles. With Cuban actors at the heart of this project, we strive to honor the lived experiences of the community and bring this incredible story to a global audience.”
He recently won his first Emmy Award for his guest role as Vasco Rodriguez in Shogun, Carbonell is part of Apple's core team morning show which is approaching its fifth season and was also recently featured on the Netflix medical drama Pulse. It will be available on Netflix soon Gap and Spotlight Ready or not: here I come. He is repped by Independent Artist Group, Thruline Entertainment and Felker Toczek Suddlson.
Best known for his role as Tom Branson in Downton Abbey franchise, Leach's other notable credits include The Imitation Game And Bohemian Rhapsody. He is repped by Untitled Entertainment, The Way and Felker Toczek Suddleson.
Pino starred in FX Maya MC and was also recently spotted on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit And Hotel Cocaine. He is represented by Gersh and manager Jordie Frey.
Vega is known for games such as Sex and Lucia Spanish, Messenger And OA, among many others. She is represented by Orson Salazar at Pro Aicos in Spain, as well as Do Mgmt, Paradigm and Management Production Entertainment.
Oscar nominee. Garcia's recent works include: Eenie Mini, Landman, Hijackers of pain And Consumables 4. Soon he has Maserati: Brothers, written by David Mamet Prince, and much more. He is repped by CAA and Linden Entertainment.
Adams' past filmmaking credits include comedy Inventing Adam drama About mind and music with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, documentary Dog man and historical drama Road dance.
