Mighty Aphrodite Pictures has confirmed Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts (Babylon, The Dark Knight) has been set to star opposite Mexican Soap Opera Star Adriana Fonseca, Alexis Vazquez introducing Jose Santiago in “IWALY” a queer divorce drama from director Jorge Xolalpa which begins production January 25, 2025.
The plot of IWALY (I Will Always Love You) centers around Dennis (Vazquez) and Javier (Santiago) as we follow them from the moment they meet outside a DMV and fall in love to the moment Javier’s (Santiago) livelihood is tested when his DACA renewals is denied to the moment they both decide to file for divorce, all in a span of five years. Roberts portrays Michael, a man who comes into Dennis’s life at a time where he is at his lowest point, like an angel in disguise. Fonseca will play Natalie, Javier’s mom. A woman of faith who will do anything to make sure her son is safe and sound. IWALY is being produced by Xolalpa at Mighty Aphrodite Pictures with financing from NYTA Films.
Roberts recently worked with Xolalpa on his last film titled “Lolita” which stars Vazquez. Lolita is expected to hit the festival circuit summer 2025. Roberts was most notably seen in Damien Chazelle’s Babylon for Paramount Pictures, which scored three Oscar Nominations. He is also know for his work in The Dark Knight, Inherent Vice, The Expendables, Runaway Train and many more.
Xolalpa has had a prolific year with his recently releases series “Strangelove” on Amazon Prime. His film Union Station is scheduled to have its world premiere on December 13 and then straight streaming on Amazon Prime on January 22. His film Lolita is scheduled to hit the festival circuit this coming summer. For IWALY he is reuniting with his all time collaborator Cinematographer Luis Adrian Lara.
Roberts is repped by Sovereign Talent Group and Scott Carlson Entertainment; Fonseca and Xolalpa are repped by Palomera Group, Xolalpa is also repped by Echo Publicity.