By Francisco Salazar (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Jun 04, 2013 10:57 PM EDT

Francisco Joel Mendoza announced that he will start shooting the Jenni Rivera Biopic "La Diva de La Banda" in July.

During a press conference the director announced that July 1 would be the first day of production. He also revealed that he did not choose rumored candidates Alicia Machado and Angelica Vale for the lead role because they would not be authentic and would not be able to give the special quality that Rivera had throughout her career. However he praised them as great actresses that worked very hard.

During the conference he also announced that a "Norteno" group would participate in the film.

Mendoza has already announced that there would be two actress portraying Rivera and that they were from middle class families. The two women cast were Mireya Limón and Deira Barrera. The director also revealed thespains Joaquín Cosío (El Infierno), Gustavo Sánchez Parra (Amores perros) and Mario Zaragoza (Cloroformo) would perform major roles in the movie.

Mendoza also promised that audiences would be surprised by the film as it would be authentic and reveal the most personal moments in Rivera's life.

The director's biopic has spurred controversy with Rivera's family as the deceased diva's relatives feel that they are the only individuals with the rights to make the film. The family members have also questioned whether Rivera had ever met Mendoza and asserted that the deceased singer's sister Rosie never authorized the director to make a movie about her either.

Mendoza recently revealed a document that was signed by Rivera and gave him authorization to make the movie. He also stated that he knew the family would not approve but was ready to confront any legal issues and even go to jail.

"La Diva de la Banda" is slated to hit theaters on December 6th in Mexico and Mendoza expects a DVD shortly after.

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