Los 33 (The 33), the highly-anticipated film about the 2010 Chilean mining disaster, will star Antonio Banderas, and it is facing its fair share of issues. Jennifer Lopez, who was meant to play one of the lead roles in the film, dropped out unexpectedly due to her commitment to American Idol; and Antonio Banderas is still waiting to receive the final script, though the film is set to begin production in a few weeks, because producers are "polishing" it. Nonetheless, Banderas wants to assure all who are interested that the project will go on.  

"Everything (for the project) started quite a while ago, more than a year-and-a-half, but so far, right now, despite having a commitment with the producers of the film, I still have not received the final script," the Spanish charmer said. "[The producers] are continuing to work on it. They are having conversations with those people who experienced this event."

The 2010 Copiapó mining accident began on August 5, when the San Jose copper-gold mine caved in, burying 33 men. Those men became known as "Los 33." Los 33 were trapped 2,300 ft. below surface and about 3 miles away from the mine's entrance. The men survived a record 69 days underground before they were rescued, and the film will document that.

Directed by Patricia Riggen, the film is expected to begin shooting on November 13, in less than a month. Riggens is also still searching for a leading lady to replace Jennifer Lopez, who pulled out in mid-September.

The screenplay will be written by Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten and Jose Rivera. It will be produced by Leopoldo Enriquez, Jose Luis Escolar, Robert Katz, Carlos Eugenio Lavin, Edward McGurn and Mike Medavoy. Besides Banderas, the film will also star Martin Sheen and Rodrigo Santoro.