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Mendes Film Crew Flees Mexican Violence

Death threats kill picture starring Eva Mendes, Josh Hartnett

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 29, 2009 3:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – A Hollywood film crew prepping to shoot in Mexico has high-tailed it back to the US after receiving death threats, the Independent reports. The film, an adaptation of a novel about a cocaine smuggler, was set to star Eva Mendes, Josh Hartnett, and Ben Kingsley on Mexico's northern coast, a region ravaged by drug wars. "It just wasn't possible," said director Jonathan Jakubowicz. "The safety of my family and my team comes first."

The news may threaten future filming in Mexico and deal a blow to the country’s fragile economy. Other film productions have fled the nation, including an Antonio Banderas/Jennifer Lopez project in 2005 and a Paramount film last year called El Traspatio—whose star found a slaughtered lamb at her door. "The world should pray for peace in Mexico," Jakubowicz said.

Army officers look at weapons seized during operations against drug trafficking gangs, March 17, 2009.
Army officers look at weapons seized during operations against drug trafficking gangs, March 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
Actress Eva Mendes poses on the press line at a benefit gala for The Art of Elysium in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2009.
Actress Eva Mendes poses on the press line at a benefit gala for The Art of Elysium in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Eva Mendes arrives at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 3, 2007.
Eva Mendes arrives at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 3, 2007.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Eva Mendes looks back for photographers at a film premiere, Dec. 17, 2008.
Eva Mendes looks back for photographers at a film premiere, Dec. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Actor Ben Kingsley poses on the press line at the Elton John Academy Award viewing and after party in West Hollywood, Calif. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009.
Actor Ben Kingsley poses on the press line at the Elton John Academy Award viewing and after party in West Hollywood, Calif. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
NxBigmouthery
Mar 30, 2009 8:16 AM CDT
Maybe the lamb was a kind of...'hey, you'll get hungry while you're here...tuck in!' Maybe not tho'.
sache
Mar 30, 2009 3:33 AM CDT
Didn't they get the word warning Americans to stay away from Mexico because of the drug wars. It paids to listen.
mockingbird
Mar 29, 2009 8:54 AM CDT
But, yeah, you're right - the State Department's racist for warning away Spring Breakers.

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