EXCLUSIVE: Rudy Youngblood (Apocalypto) has been cast as the male lead in the upcoming period drama La Matadora, set to shoot in Mexico.
Youngblood will play Nico Cortez, “a tortured painter with a poetic heart,” and the paramour of the titular Matadora, or female bullfighter. A casting announcement is pending for the role of the torera character inspired by the life of Mexican bullfighter Mary Rubio. The film is being produced by Lyle Howry of Skinfly Entertainment and executive produced by Kevin Kinsey of Exodus Entertainment Studios and Skinfly’s Howry.
Rudy Youngblood
Courtesy of Rudy Youngblood
“Set against the fiery backdrop of 1940s Mexico, La Matadora tells the electrifying tale of Isabel Fernández — a fearless, soul-stirring bullfighter who shatters tradition and dares to dominate a male-driven arena,” notes a synopsis. “She’s not just fighting bulls… she’s confronting society itself.”
Nico Cortez [Youngblood], as the tortured artist, “is mesmerized by Isabel’s untamed spirit and is drawn into a passionate journey of self-discovery. With every brushstroke, he seeks clarity; with every heartbeat, he is pulled deeper into Isabel’s orbit. She, meanwhile, redefines herself in the bloodstained sand of the Plaza de Toros, where one wrong move could mean death — and where love, too, becomes a dangerous game.”
(L-R) Kevin Kinsey of Exodus Entertainment Studios and Lyle Howry of Skinfly Entertainment
Exodus Entertainment Stkinfly Entertainmentudios/
Filming is slated to begin in the fall. The production team is said to be in talks with Mexican government officials about tax rebates for the project. Howry will be heading to Mexico in a couple of days to attend the USMEXA 100 Summit, “a binational alliance committed to strengthening the economic and strategic relationship between the United States and Mexico.” We’re told a private meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has been scheduled at the historic National Palace.
La Matadora was conceived by Richard Maldonado, the nephew of Rubio, and written by T.C. De Witt (Blade: Heart of Darkness). Howry tells us there will be no harming or killing of any animals as part of making the film.
Rudy Youngblood in ‘Beatdown’
Lions Gate Home Entertainment
Youngblood rose to fame as “Jaguar Paw” in Mel Gibson’ Apocalypto, which marked his on-screen debut. His credits include Wind Walkers with Glen Powell, Beatdown with Danny Trejo, 2016’s Crossing Point with the late Tom Sizemore, Attrition with Steven Seagal, and several upcoming films.