Disney star Carolina Gaitán has landed her first lead movie role following the success of Encanto.
The Colombian actress and singer, known for lending her voice to Pepa Madrigal in the Oscar-winning animated movie, has been cast in a survival thriller called Quicksand.
Deadline reports that Gaitán will star opposite Allan Hawco, seen in Republic of Doyle and Jack Ryan. They will play a married couple on the brink of divorce who become trapped in quicksand during a hike in the Colombian rainforest. The pair will need to work together if they want to make it out alive.
Related: Encanto theory will completely change how you watch the Disney movie
Currently filming in Bogota for four weeks, Quicksand is directed by filmmaker Andrés Beltrán, working from a script by Matt Pitts.
"When I started reading Matt's script I couldn't stop. It's such a thrilling and suspenseful story that hooked me immediately. Having Carolina and Allan playing our leading roles makes this a dream project," said Beltrán.
What to Read Next
Related: Encanto star recalls challenges of filming new Disney movie in global pandemic
Gaitán, whose acting credits also include Narcos, is one of the main voices behind Encanto's fan-favourite hit song 'We Don't Talk About Bruno', written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and performed at the Academy Awards last night (March 27).
The track is the longest-reigning chart-topper for Disney in the US Billboard Hot 100 history, as well as the studio's first-ever original song to top the UK Singles Chart.
Alongside Gaitán, the cast of Encanto also includes Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Stephanie Beatriz and Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin actress Diane Guerrero, as well as John Leguizamo, Angie Cepeda and Wilmer Valderrama.
Encanto is streaming on Disney+ and is also available to buy on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
