Movies

Exclusive! Oscar Jaenada is confirmed to be ‘Cantinflas’!

By Jack Rico · Published: 2010/04/14 at 12:00am

Oscar Jaenada confirmed to portray Cantinflas in exclusive announcement

04.14.2010

04.14.2010 | By Jack Rico |

Updated March 2026

It is now official. Spanish actor Oscar Jaenada, who will be starring in Warner Bros. The Losers this year, has been tapped to play Mario Moreno, Mexico’s most famous comedian, in the biopic Cantinflas. My source, who is directly involved in the casting of the film, has confirmed the choice for the lead.

What Other Actors Were In The Running?

Jaenada’s selection in the lead role puts to rest a year-long debate amongst many Latino fans on who should play the comedic icon. Many, including myself, had John Leguizamo and Diego Luna pegged as the front runners. According to my source, there was a sit-down with Mexican heartthrob Diego Luna to interpret the role, but the talks fell through. Gael García Bernal, another revered Mexican actor, was never approached for the part.

Why Oscar Jaenada Should Be Cantinflas

The decision to hire Jaenada was controversial at the time, given the risks in hiring a Spaniard to play one of Mexico’s national treasures. However, the producers were blown away by his audition and felt his talent as a Goya Award winner made him a perfect choice. This is not to say that the producers didn’t debate the pros and cons, but they felt that acting is an international job, not limited to where the actors are from. That statement rings true since it helped make Puerto Rican actress Jennifer Lopez a success when she played the slain Mexican singer Selena.

The script for Cantinflas, written and directed by Alejandro Monteverde, focuses on the origins and rise to fame of the legendary comedian.

Update March 2026
Jaenada’s performance in Cantinflas (2014) won over Mexican audiences despite the early controversy. He later reached new heights as Luisito Rey in Netflix’s Luis Miguel: The Series (2018-2021). Recently, he joined the Walking Dead universe in Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, filming its third season in his native Spain.