The LGBTQ YA novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe will soon be adapted into a movie, and Eva Longoria (Sylvie’s Love) and Eugenio Derbez (CODA) are set to star.
The book, which was written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, is set in the summer of 1987 El Paso and follows the friendship between the title characters, Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza, an angry teen whose brother is in prison, and Dante Quintana, a smart-alecky kid who has an unusual perspective on the world. Newcomers Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales will play the two leads.
Longoria and Derbez’s roles are still unknown. The two have starred together before in the 2018 comedy remake Overboard and the 2019 family adventure Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Several more Latine actors are also in the cast, including Kevin Alejandro (Lucifer), Veronica Falcón (Ozark), and Isabella Gomez (One Day at a Time).
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe will be directed and co-written by Aitch Alberto (Hara Kiri). Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda has also joined the project as a producer. On Tuesday, Miranda jumped on a video call with Pelayo and Gonzales to give them some words of encouragement before the start of production.
“Our boys talking to our producer [Lin-Manuel Miranda] who wished them luck before shooting,” Alberto tweeted.
Falcón also tweeted her excitement about starring in the movie alongside Derbez and Longoria.
Currently, Derbez can be seen on the AppleTV+ comedy Acapulco. Longoria recently wrapped up production on her directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot.