Salma Hayek has signed on to star opposite Spanish comedian Jose Mota in Alex de la Iglesia’s Spanish-language satire “La Chispa de la vida” (“As Luck Would Have It”), the Oscar-nominated actress’ publicist has confirmed to TheWrap.
Spanish TV star Mota (pictured below) will play a down-on-his-luck publicist who accidentally falls and impales his head on a small metal bar in a Roman Amphitheater. Though he remains conscious, he is unable to be moved, and soon enough, the TV media descends upon him along with a publicity-hungry mayor and an opportunistic agent. Seeing a chance to monetize his fate and save his family from financial ruin, he agrees to an exclusive primetime interview while approaching death’s door.
Hayek will play Mota’s loving wife in the film, which is described as dramatic comedy that will serve as a satirical take on contemporary society.
The project is being billed as the world’s first “pre-make,” as “Luck” will be based on Randy Feldman’s English-language screenplay, which was initially developed by former DC Comics president Jenette Kahn and ex-Motion Picture Corp. exec Adam Richman, who will executive produce through their New York-based company Double Nickel.
The Spanish-language adaptation transfers the action from the U.S. to Spain, but otherwise hews close to Feldman’s original script, which has a better shot at actually going before cameras if “Luck” proves to be a success with Spanish-speaking audiences.
Andres Vicente Gomez will produce for Valencia’s Trivision and Madrid-based Al Fresco Enterprises, a new company that plans to take advantage of Spanish tax breaks. Franck Ribiere’s Paris-based La Fabrique 2 will put up 20% equity on “Luck,” which is scheduled to begin production later this month in Madrid and Cartagena, Spain.
De la Iglesia previously directed “The Oxford Murders and “The Last Circus,” the latter of which won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival last fall.
Feldman is best known for writing the ’80s action film “Tango & Cash,” while Kahn and Richman’s credits include exec producing Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino.” The Double Nickel duo have also optioned U.S. remake rights to De la Iglesia’s “Commonwealth” and “Dying of Laughter,” both of which were produced by Gomez.
Hayek recently played Adam Sandler’s wife in the worldwide box office hit “Grown Ups.” The Mexican-American multi-hyphenate is represented by CAA and Management 360, and her casting was first reported by Variety.
