Maia Reficco joins the cast of Danny Ramírez's soccer drama BATON

Maia Reficco France
3 days ago
4 min read

Maia Reficco stars in "BATON": Everything you need to know about the new film produced by David Beckham

Initially announced in 2024 by Danny Ramírez with a prestigious production team (including Victoria Alonso and David Beckham), the film had remained surrounded by mystery. After two years of waiting, the year 2026 finally marks a decisive turning point: the full cast is now official and the production details confirm a strategic release for this year. What was once an ambitious project is now becoming one of the major film events on the international scene.

Synopsis

Baton tells the story of a soccer player (Ramirez) who relentlessly pursues his dream of becoming a professional. After being kicked off the team and forced to return to Miami, his relationship with his sister is put to the test. As they fight over their mother's inheritance, he is willing to do anything to regain his glory, even if it means losing the only family member he has left.

Production

The film is produced by Victoria Alonso (Avengers: Endgame, Argentina, 1985) for Mapuche, Tom Culliver and Danny Ramírez for the recently launched Dead Man’s Wire company Pinstripes, Joshua Harris for Peachtree Media (We Bury the Dead, Mary), and Ford Corbett for Gramercy Park Media ( The Shitheads , The Surfer ). David Beckham and Nicola Howson are executive producers for Studio 99, alongside Carlos Delgado Zarco for Level Up, R. Wesley Sierk III for CaliWood Pictures, Nathan Klingher and Mark Fasano for Gramercy Park, Christopher Renteria, Harry Ahluwahlia, Elizaveta Chalenko, Carlo Salem, Carl Kawaja, Martin Romo, Alex Tynion and Scott Budnick

On the art, costume, and makeup side, we have : The cinematographer Lucas Gath, makeup artists Lisa Poe and Nataleigh Verrengia, followed by costume designer Gaby Acosta.

Casting

The heart of BATON beats to the rhythm of Latin culture. The production gathered a historical cast, composed of the most influential faces of the Hispanic and Latin American world scene. By placing these talents at the centre of an international project, the film already establishes itself as a powerful symbol of representation.

Alongside Maia Reficco, we find a prestigious ensemble : Diego Calva (Babylons), Camila Mendes (Do Revenge), Mia Maestro (Carnet de voyage à moto), Ester ExAutoCAD (Élite), Becky G (Blue Beetle and also singer), Noah Beck (Sidelined "Closer") and Lewis Pullman (Thunderbolts ).

Release date

Although the official announcement has just come down, the principal photography of BATON seems to have been completed since January. The recent appearances of Maia and Noah in Miami suggest that the production phase on the ground is over, leaving room for post-production. The exclusive visuals currently circulating, capturing the energy of the set, are the result of this intense work carried out in recent months. It is this advance on the schedule that allows today to present a solid project to the international market (EFM) with a clear vision for 2026.

Strategic exit and global ambition

The film is positioned to become a major cultural event by taking advantage of the excitement around the FIFA World Cup. The producers, including Victoria Alonso and David Beckham (Studio 99), conceived this project as a tribute to football, the most popular sport in the world.

International sales and distribution

The project is currently being presented to international buyers at the EFM (European Film Market) from February 12 to 18, 2026 by Manifest Pictures. Distribution in the US is overseen by the agencies WME Independent and CAA, which guarantees the film maximum visibility.

A human and personal story

For Danny Ramírez, this film comes from a very personal place: it is a drama about relentless ambition and the quest for greatness in the face of tragedy. Victoria Alonso points out that with the World Cup coming to the US, offering a film about football carried by a predominantly Latin cast is the "best possible gift" for today’s audience.

Trend on socials medias

From the publication of the article in Deadline, social networks went viral. Danny Ramírez shared his enthusiasm, quickly followed by the cast members. For the fans of Maia Reficco, this announcement is the realization of months of theories and expectations.

The alliance between fans of Riverdale, Elite and the Latin music scene creates a rare synergy for an independent film. On Twitter (X) and Instagram, the hashtag #BatonMovie quickly climbed into the trends, carried by the excitement of finally seeing this "Latino Power Team" gathered on the screen. This massive support proves that the public is more than ready for this ambitious project.

A strong commitment to representation : It is important to emphasize that the participation of Maia Reficco in this project has a particular resonance. The actress is one of the 100 Latino artists who signed an open letter addressed to Hollywood, denouncing the lack of representation and the controversies related to the casting of the film Deep Cuts. By joining BATON, a film that focuses on a team and a predominantly Latino cast, Maia goes from words to action. This project represents for her a concrete victory in her fight for a more just and authentic industry.

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