Mario Moreno Ivanova has announced that a screenplay for the sequel of "Cantinflas", based on the life of his father, Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes, more popularly known as Cantinflas, is currently being made.
According to Latin Times, Moreno Ivanova said that aside from his back story, the sequel will also feature the romantic and intimate characteristics of his father. The film will tell the story of the comedian's final days until his death in April of 1993.
"The movie 'Cantinflas' ends in 1958 and that's exactly where I'll start with the sequel because a lot of interesting things happened to my father in those years, from his romance with actress Irán Eory to my birth," Moreno Ivanova said, as quoted by Latin Times.
He also explained that the sequel will give people more insight into his life.
"I'll be telling many things, including my origins which have become very controversial, which I want to explain in detail in this story and talk about my father's romantic side as well. People are going to hear the story of my origin just like my father told it to me," Moreno Ivanova said, as reported by the news outlet.
He added: "My father was never a government official, but I was proud he was sent off with all the honors and his fans showed him so much love."
Photos from his late father's four-day wake and funeral will also be included in the film. Latin Times reported that Moreno Ivanova aims to finish the screenplay as soon as possible because he is eyeing Sebastián del Amo to helm the movie and Oscar Jaenada and Ilse Salas to reprise their roles as Moreno Cantinflas and his wife, Valentina Ivanova, respectively.
Cantinflas' Heirs and Columbia Pictures in Dispute
In the early 2000s, a rights dispute occurred between the heirs of Cantinflas and Columbia Pictures over the late comedian's 34 films. According to The Hollywood Reporter, "the dispute involved chain-of-title and complicated right transfers." A trial was held in 2001, which resulted to a decision declaring that Columbia Pictures is the true owner of the movies.
Moreno Ivanova was not pleased with the verdict nor with the "order requiring that he permanently refrain from distributing the movies and turn over all film elements to the studio," THR added. He reportedly authorized another company to release two films, "El Patrullero 777" and "El Barrendero," on DVD with a $10,000 payment in advance. This then resulted to him being charged with contempt, THR continued.
However, in July 2014, Moreno Ivanova asked U.S. District Judge Ronald Lew to get rid of the contempt order, the report noted. He reportedly told the court that he had settled the issue with Columbia Pictures and that he wants to attend the August 27 Los Angeles premiere of his father's biopic. The production company didn't oppose, THR noted.
