Demian Bichir cast in Oliver Stone's SAVAGES

Demian Bichir (A Better Life, Weeds) has been cast in Oliver Stone‘s Savages. The film is based on a book by Don Winslow, and it was adapted by Winslow and Shane Salerno. The story follows "two friends (Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch) from Laguna Beach who share the same girlfriend (Blake Lively) and a thriving business growing and distributing the best-quality pot on the planet. When they resist being muscled by a Mexican drug cartel, the girl is kidnapped and the ransom is every cent they've made for the last five years.  They agree to pay but hatch an alternate plan to get her back, get revenge, and then get lost." 

If a deal is finalized, Bichir would play the role of Alex, "a two-timing attorney who works for Salma Hayek's cartel, which boasts Benicio Del Toro as its primary enforcer." John Travolta and Uma Thurman also co-star in the film that is set to begin shooting on July 6, for a planned release of 2012. 

Bichir is best known for playing Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh's Che. He has also starred opposite Mary-Louise Parker in Showtime's Weeds. Audiences will see Bichir next as a Mexican gardener struggling for the American dream in Chris Weitz's drama A Better Life, set for release on June 24th from Summit.

The cast of Savages continues to get better with each casting announcement. This is a great role for Bichir, and may give him the most exposure of his past roles. I am very excited for this film and will keep you posted on further announcements.

What are your thoughts?