Selena Gomez is set to play Silvia Vásquez-Lavado, a trailbazing lesbian mountaineer, in a biopic based on the Peruvian's upcoming memoir.
According to , the film, titled In The Shadow Of The Mountain, will be produced by Oscar winner Donna Gigliotti (Shakespeare in Love, Silver Linings Playbook) and Scott Budnick, with Elgin James (Little Birds) at the helm as writer/director.
Vásquez-Lavado, who famously summited Mount Everest in 2016, wrote on Instagram: "I am so humbled and grateful to share this thrilling news, which has been in the works for the last 10months, that an all-star team has optioned my upcoming memoir In The Shadow of the Mountain for a movie adaptation."
She continued: "I am so honoured and touched for the bold, talented, and brilliant Selena Gomez in taking the starring role."
In 2018, Vásquez-Lavado became the first out lesbian to climb the highest mountain on each continent, a challenge referred to as 'the Seven Summits'. The mountaineer is also a survivor of childhood abuse and neglect and is known for organising treks to Mount Everest’s base camp with other women who have endured abuse.
“Silvia is a force of nature,” producer Gigliotti told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Scott and I are so excited to work with Elgin and Selena to tell this story of resilience, courage, adventure and humanity.”
While some social media users were quick to criticise Gomez being cast in the role, as she isn’t openly gay, Vásquez-Lavado appeared to be pleased with the decision.
