A live-action adaptation of the beloved queer, young adult novel Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe will be coming to the big screen soon!
The film will be based on the YA novel which was published in 2014 and written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. The book follows the relationship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana, “two Mexican-American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a life-changing bond after a chance meeting at an El Paso pool in the summer of 1987." It’s been widely praised as one of the best queer YA books of the 21st century.
Today, the cast for the film was announced, and it’s got some promising newcomers, a queer writer and director, and some legends of Latinx film and TV!
Up-and-coming actor Max Pelayo will be playing Ari Mendoza, a bored and lonely teenager who seeks out companionship and finds it in Dante. He’s also set to star in the Kevin Abrams movie Marisol.
Gonzales, who has been acting since he was a child, will play Dante Quintana. Quintana teaches Ari how to swim, talks to him about literature and poetry, and shows him how to connect with people.
Trans Latina filmmaker Aitch Alberto will be writing and directing the film. She has several shorts under her belt, as well as the feature Hara Kiri, which is described as “a punk infused love story of two street skaters, August and Beto, and their last day on earth.” This will be her major studio debut.
Longoria is, of course, a legend. She’s known for the iconic role of Gabrielle on Desperate Housewives and has starred in many other shows and movies. Her role has not yet been announced.
Derbez, who is also serving as a producer on the film, is set to play an unannounced role. He’s one of the most popular actors in Mexico, starring in films like Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Overboard, How to Be a Latin Lover, and Instructions Not Included.
Falcón is another legendary Mexican actress who has had an incredible career in that country before starring in shows like Queen of the South, Perry Mason, Why Women Kill, and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier here in the US. She recently played Trader Sam in Disney’s Jungle Cruise.
Alejandro is a well-known actor with roles in shows like True Blood, Arrow, Southland, and Lucifer.
Gomez is probably best known for playing queer teen Elena Alvarez on the Latina reboot of the classic sitcom One Day at a Time. We don’t know who she’ll play in Aristotle and Dante, but she has experience with queer YA stories.
Blaise’s first major role was as Nicole on the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat when she was 13. Since then, she’s started a music career and starred as Olive Stone in the NBC drama Manifest.
