The Y Tu Mama Tambien actor will take charge of Abel, which is being produced by John Malkovich's compay Mr. Mudd.
The film will unravel a family drama from the perspective of a young child, and will star Luna's Just Walking co-star Jose Maria Yazpik.
Malkovich and his partners have lined up almost $3 million (GBP2 million) in funding from private investors and the Mexican state of Aguascalientes, where the movie will be shot.
