‘Wasp Network’: Penelope Cruz, Gael Garcia Bernal recruited for spy thriller

Penelope Cruz at the Cannes Film Festival, May 2018. Image: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Adapted from a book about an effort to infiltrate Cuban-American groups in Florida, “Wasp Network” will be directed by Frenchman Olivier Assayas and co-star Edgar Ramirez.

Though his next feature “Double Lives” isn’t due until 2019, director Olivier Assayas has introduced not only the Parisian publishing drama but also the names of additional cast members for upcoming project “Wasp Network” at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Assayas had directed Edgar Ramirez in Venezuelan revolutionary TV series and feature film “Carlos,” and Ramirez was the first cast member announced for “Wasp Network.”

Joining the Venezuelan will be Spanish actress Penelope Cruz and Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal for the film about a Cuban spy network that infiltrated a number of Cuban-American organizations in Florida.

Mexican actor and director Gael García Bernal. Image: Eli Gorostegi / AFP

Known as the Cuban Five or Miami Five, the team was able to monitor and become part of several Cuban-American groups that had positioned themselves in opposition to Cuba’s government.

Cuba suspected these groups of involvement in terrorist activities, but in 1998 the US arrested the Cuban Five under various conspiracy and espionage charges.

Filming is to begin in early 2019. AB

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