Demian Bichir has signed on to star as Miguel Hidalgo in the upcoming film Hidalgo-Moliere, directed by Antonio Serrano (Sex, Shame and Tears.)

The film focuses on the story of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who spent his early years as a theater actor before becoming a priest and eventually a leader of the Mexican War of Independence. In 1810, Hidalgo famously lead a rebellion of poor indigenous and mestizo peasants against the dominant peninsulares, Spaniards residing in Mexico, but born on the Iberian peninsula. This uprising is commonly cited as the beginning of the Mexican War for Independence.

Ana de la Reguera will costar opposite Bechir in the historical drama and filming began this week in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.