The Young and the Restless Star Eva Longoria to Direct Feature Film Flamin’ Hot

Eva Longoria, known to fans of The Young and the Restless for her run as diabolical Isabella, is headed to the big screen. She’s set to make her feature film directorial debut for the movie Flamin’ Hot.

Eva Longoria Shares The Importance Of The Flamin’ Hot Cast

The film is set to tell the story of Richard Montañez, the inventor of Flamin’ Hot, the spicy Cheetos snack. Variety reports that the movie’s leads have been cast with Jesse Garcia (From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series) and Annie Gonzalez (Gentefied). Garcia will play Montañez and Gonzalez will portray his wife Judy.

“Well hey you two @jessejohngarcia @annieggonzalez,” Longoria enthusiastically posted on Instagram. “I’m SO excited!! It was so important for me to cast Mexican-American actors in these pivotal roles when telling Richard Montañez’s story authentically. I’m beyond lucky to be able to work with them in creating this beautiful film! @hotcheetosrpm #FlaminHot.”

Montañez, a janitor at Frito Lay, was inspired by his Mexican heritage to create the immensely popular snack Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. “Jesse and Annie have a deep understanding of our community and will be able to help tell this story of great importance for our culture,” Longoria adds. Filming is scheduled to begin this summer in Mexico. At press time, there’s no release date for the project.

Longoria debuted on YR back in 2001 and stayed in Genoa City for two years. Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) fell for the enigmatic Isabella after his wife Christine (Lauralee Bell) left town to work in Hong Kong. Realizing Paul would never get over Christine, Isabella faked her death and tried to frame Christine for her “murder.” She was about to murder a drugged Christine in her bathtub when Paul and Michael (Christian Le Blanc) arrived to foil Isabella’s scheme.

Post-YR, Longoria became a household name as a cast member of the hit series Desperate Housewives. Her acting credits include headlining the sitcom Telenovela and appearing in Grand Hotel, Empire, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She’s also executive produced the series Grand Hotel and Telenovela. Longoria has directed Black-ish, Jane the Virgin, and LA to Vegas. The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.