EXCLUSIVE: Gina Rodriguez is set to make her theatrical directorial debut with the new boxing film, House of Guerrero, written by Bernardo Cubría (Acapulco). House of Guerrero is produced by Scott Budnick and Ameet Shukla (Nonnas) from 1Community, Rodriguez’s I Can And I Will Productions with Molly Breeskin, and Justin Baldoni and Andrew Calof from Wayfarer Studios.
Wayfarer Studios, 1Community, HarbourView Media Group, and Clare LoCicero are co-financing the feature with tax credit financing provided by Three Point Capital.
Based on an original story by Rodriguez and Cubría, the film follows a young fighter whose promising boxing career is cut short before he gets one last shot at stepping back into the ring and fighting for the life he thought he’d lost forever. Wayfarer calls the project “a boxing film for a new generation” that “brings a fresh perspective to the genre while centering a community that has long shaped the sport.”
House of Guerrero‘s fight choreography will be led by Clayton J. Barber (Black Panther, Creed III) and Eric Brown (John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum, The Matrix Resurrections).
“Directing this film feels like the beginning of a new chapter in a story I’ve been carrying with me my entire life,” shared Rodriguez. “I’ve been boxing since I could walk, and I’m on a mission to show the world what fighting can teach you about life, if you let it. To have the opportunity to make my directorial debut here in California, surrounded by an extraordinary cast and crew, is both incredibly emotional and deeply humbling. At a moment when Latino stories, Latino families, and Latino heroes deserve to be seen and celebrated more than ever, I feel an enormous responsibility to tell this story with honesty, heart, and pride. I’ve dreamed about this film for so long, and I truly cannot wait to step into the ring and bring it to life.”
The first iteration of this project was announced in 2021 as Guerrero, with Rodriguez set to direct, produce, and co-star. It was originally a collaboration between Rodriguez and professional boxer Ryan Garcia, who was also set to star.
The film will officially reunite Baldoni and Rodriguez professionally since their hit series together, the CW’s Jane the Virgin. On the series, Rodriguez starred as the titular Jane Villanueva with Baldoni in the role of Rafael Solano, the biological father of Jane’s son.
“Having spent five years working with Gina every day, I’ve had a front-row seat to her genius, both in front of and behind the camera,” said Baldoni. “She’s a rare talent with an incredible gift for telling stories that reach people on a deeply human level. Boxing is in her blood, and so is a deep passion to center Latino characters and experiences that rarely get to be at the heart of their own films.”
The actor and producer co-founded Wayfarer alongside Steve Sarowitz to tell stories “that make a difference, stories that connect us back to our hearts, to each other, and remind us of our shared humanity,” Baldoni stated.
Budnick notes, “The Latino community has dominated in boxing for decades but has never been prominently featured in the pantheon of boxing films. Our film aims to correct that. Where older generations have films like Rocky and Creed, the next generation will have this film. It brings front and center a community that has dominated the sport, while underscoring the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of mental health in sports.”
Steve Sarowitz and Jamey Heath are Executive Producing for Wayfarer, with Sherrese Clarke and Niija Kuykendall from HarbourView Media Group, alongside Clare LoCicero and Alice S. Kim. UTA Independent Film Group is representing the film for worldwide sales.
