Explore the unlikely partnership between a passionate liberal immigration lawyer and a charismatic "MAGA" conservative pundit, as they navigate a high-stakes asylum case in Miami, blurring party lines and discovering unexpected sparks.
©ARTEMIS STUDIO INC - 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Isabel Martinez & Marco Santoro
Leading Roles
DISCLAIMER : Actors & Actresses listed here are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
Isabel Martinez is a passionate, sharp, and deeply committed Cuban-American immigration lawyer in her late 30s, practicing in Miami. Her identity is strongly rooted in her heritage and her community in Little Havana, where she is respected for her work.
Her most urgent case involves Mateo, a Venezuelan teenager seeking asylum after his father's disappearance for opposing the Maduro regime. The case becomes personal as she fights against a system designed to reject.
Marco Santoro is a conservative pundit known for tough immigration stance on television and at rallies, where he delivers passionate arguments for stronger border control. Secretly helping undocumented family members navigate the system, showing compassion and care when the cameras aren't rolling. Struggles to reconcile political beliefs with human compassion as his family connections pull him in opposing directions.
Post-Anyone But You (2023)
$220M breakout = THE rom-com star of 2024-2025
Proven theatrical rom-com draw
(Opening weekend $6M → $220M lifetime on $25M budget)
Gen Z + Millennial appeal (TikTok virality, Sydney Sweeney chemistry worked)
Top Gun: Maverick as Hangman = cocky-but-likable charm (PERFECT for Marco's pundit persona)
Can play alpha-male who's secretly vulnerable (Marco's hypocrisy arc requires this range)
No public conservative OR liberal controversial stances = can play MAGA pundit without baggage
Texas-born (Red state roots) but Hollywood actor (blue industry) Embodies political crossover
Age 40
PERFECT for "late 30s" Character
Family pressure to settle down/biological clock urgency Age-appropriate stakes
U.S. Market Recognition
Post-Barbie (2023) Oscar nomination = MASSIVE star power right now
Household name from Ugly Betty (Emmy winner 2007)
$1.4B box office (Barbie) proves theatrical draw
Honduran-American (Central American immigrant parents) Immigration advocacy credibility
Romantic Lead Proven:
Barbie monologue showcased dramatic+comedic range
Ugly Betty was essentially rom-com-drama hybrid (4 seasons of romantic arcs)
Can carry a film (not just ensemble supporting)
Political Credibility:
Real-life activism (immigration advocacy, Latina representation) = Isabel's passion feels authentic
Post-Oscar nom Financing leverage
Fee: $3-5M (post-Oscar nomination pricing)
Package Positioning: "Oscar-nominated America Ferrera (Barbie) stars as a passionate immigration lawyer in a romantic comedy for our divided times"
Supporting Roles
DISCLAIMER : Actors & Actresses listed here are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
Elena Martinez
60s, Isabel's Mother
Carlos Mendoza
Mid-30s,
Venezuelan Baker/Activist
Lucía
(Late 30s,
Journalist)Strong presence, can convey both warmth and professional determination
Mateo Ramirez
(15, Venezuelan Asylum Seeker)
Directors
DISCLAIMER : Directors listed here are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
OPTION 1
✅ Directed Long Shot (2019) - THE exact precedent for political rom-com (Charlize Theron/Seth Rogen $53M)
✅ Proven rom-com expertise: Warm Bodies (romantic zombie comedy), 50/50 (dramatic comedy with romance)
✅ Political sensitivity demonstrated: Balanced Rogen's liberal journalist + Theron's Secretary of State without alienating audiences
✅ Can elevate B+ cast to A-list chemistry: Made Seth Rogen/Charlize Theron pairing work despite genre mismatch
✅ Levine literally knows what works/doesn't work in political rom-com (tested it with Long Shot)
✅ Can navigate tonal balance: Politics as backdrop (30%), romance as foreground (70%)
Fee:$2-4M (mid-tier director post-Long Shot)
OPTION 2
✅ Directed Blockers (2018) - $94M on $21M budget (proven comedy + ensemble cast)
✅ Writer on Pitch Perfect franchise - understands rom-com DNA and ensemble dynamics
✅ Female director for female-led story - Isabel protagonist benefits from female gaze
✅ Younger sensibility (age 50) - understands viral marketing (TikTok/Instagram)
✅ While Cannon hasn't done political films, her ensemble comedy expertise (Blockers sex-positive parents vs. daughters) translates to family political debates
✅ Can foreground romance/family comedy over politics (which is correct strategy per analysis)
Fee:$2-4M (post-Blockerssuccess)
WHY THIS CASTING WORKS
The casting prioritizes authentic Latino representation while ensuring box office appeal.Eva Longoria and Diego Boneta bring star power for financing while having the dramatic range for the material's emotional depth.The supporting cast mixes established talent with opportunities for authentic community casting, particularly for Mateo and Carlos's roles.
Given the Miami-Dade County tax incentive requirements (70% local hire), this production should prioritize Miami-based crew and local talent for smaller roles
The director choices all have experience balancing political themes with human stories, essential for this romantic dramedy that tackles immigration policy through personal relationships
The Martinez Family
Culture and Conflict
Family Gatherings
The Martinez home is a shrine to Cuban culture, with family dinners serving as the backdrop for heated debates and matchmaking schemes. Elena, Isabel's mother, orchestrates these gatherings with military precision.
Elena's Matchmaking
"You're not getting any younger, mija. Marco is handsome, successful, and he understands this family." Elena's persistent efforts to pair Isabel with Marco create tension and comedy throughout their story.
Political Divisions
The Martinez family reflects America's political spectrum, from conservative Tio Enrique to climate activist Cousin Camila, creating a microcosm of the national debate on immigration and policy.
Carlos Mendoza
Witness to Tyranny
Student Activist
Former Venezuelan student leader who fought against the Maduro regime
Miami Baker
Now runs Panadería Caracas in Little Havana after gaining asylum
Crucial Witness
Provides video evidence and testimony vital to Mateo's case
Carlos's connection to Mateo runs deep - he knew Mateo's father, Eduardo, who hid him when the government targeted student activists. "Eduardo wasn't just my professor. He was my mentor," Carlos explains. His testimony becomes crucial when he reveals that Eduardo's journal documents human rights abuses that the regime still wants to suppress.
His bakery becomes a sanctuary for Mateo when the boy feels overwhelmed, embodying Carlos's motto: "El que se cansa, pierde" (He who tires, loses).
The Legal Battle
Fighting the System
Initial Asylum Claim
Isabel files Mateo's case, arguing his life would be in danger if returned to Venezuela
Government Challenge
Officials question evidence and demand proof of "credible fear"
Carlos's Testimony
Video evidence and witness testimony strengthen Mateo's case
Journal Authentication
Government challenges the authenticity of Eduardo's crucial journal
The case becomes more complicated when the government announces "Operation Swift Justice," a directive to expedite asylum processing with a 72-hour timeline for credible fear interviews. Isabel is outraged: "This isn't streamlining, it's strangling! Most asylum seekers don't even have a lawyer by then!"
Meanwhile, the government attacks the chain of custody for Eduardo's journal, claiming it could have been fabricated - a desperate attempt to discredit their strongest evidence.
Finding Common Ground
Beyond Politics
The Kiss
After Carlos's successful deposition, Isabel and Marco share a moment of connection that transcends their political differences. "We make a good team, Martinez," Marco admits, before their tension culminates in an unexpected kiss.
Their personal connection complicates their professional relationship, forcing both to reconsider their assumptions about each other.
Marco's Sacrifice
When Mateo goes missing, Isabel and Marco unite to find him. Later, Marco makes a public statement supporting Mateo's asylum claim, knowing it will cost him professionally.
"This isn't about open borders. It's about open eyes," he declares, risking his career to stand for what he believes is right.
Victory and Understanding
The judge grants Mateo asylum, recognizing the legitimate threat he faces. Isabel and Marco find a new respect for each other despite their ongoing political differences.
"Maybe respecting why the other person believes what they do, even when you think they're wrong... maybe that's the common ground," Marco reflects as they agree to dinner without politics.
TAX INCENTIVES - FLORIDA
FLORIDA - Miami-Dade County
Qualifying Payroll shall mean payment of salary to Miami-Dade County residents for work performed from the First Day of Pre-Production to the Last Day of Post-Production. Qualifying Expenses shall mean payments for such goods and services from the date of submission of the application through the Last Day of Post-Production, excluding all expenditures in an amount less than $20.
  • Requires no less than 70% Miami-Dade County residents be hired as principal cast and crew members. Cast and crew (employees) qualify for the 70% minimum local hire but excludes extras/background talent. All 70% of the employees must be Miami-Dade County residents.
  • Requires at least 70% of hired vendors and contractors to be Miami-Dade County Registered Businesses.
  • Allows for production companies to apply for and receive a maximum of two grants per year.