Eva Longoria To Direct Searchlight Pictures’ “Anita de Monte Laughs Last”

Disney’s Searchlight Pictures is developing a brand new film based on the best-selling book by Xochitl Gonzalez called  “Anita de Monte Laughs Last”.

The new book is set in 1985 and follows Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, who is found dead in New York City. Thirteen years later, art history student Raquel is preparing her final thesis, feeling the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities as the wealthy students around her. Anita’s name – and the mysterious circumstances around her death – have all but faded from view.

When Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. But then she stumbles upon Anita’s story, and is struck not only by the question of who gets to leave a legacy, but by how her own relationship eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist.

It has been revealed that Eva Longoria is going to be directing the movie, which will also be producing the new movie as part of her Hyphenate Media Group banner alongside Cris Abrego and Jada Miranda.

Eva has previously worked with Searchlight Pictures on the Disney+ Original movie, “Flamin’ Hot” and is also working on an upcoming new show on FX, Hulu and Disney+ called “Necaxa“.

The book’s author, Xochitl Gonzalez, will also be working on the script for the film.  SVP of production Taylor Friedman and creative executive Daniel Yu will oversee production on “Anita de Monte Laughs Last” for Searchlight, reporting to co-heads of production and development DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas.

No other details on the new film have been announced, such as when it will be released, if it will be a theatrical or Disney+ release, or who will star in it.

Are you looking forward to watching “Anita de Monte Laughs Last”?  Let me know on social media!