Veteran actress, Elizabeth Peña, whose resume includes films such as “La Bamba”, “Batteries Not Included,” “Blue Steel,” “The Incredibles,” and “Rush Hour” has just signed onto David Mamet’s upcoming thriller, “Blackbird.”

Latino-Review has learned, exclusively, that Peña has signed onto the legendary writer-director’s latest, which stars Academy Award Winner Cate Blanchett as “a grieving granddaughter of a famous special effects artist in Hollywood who discovers secrets from her grandfather’s past that put her life in danger.” One of the secrets, according to the Holywood Reporter, is that he was part of the plot to assassinate John F. Kennedy.

Peña joins a supporting cast that also includes Catherine Keener. The casting process is ongoing and- with this being a Mamet project- it’s likely to attract several more heavyweights.

Elizabeth is said to be very excited to be working with the man responsible for writing “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “The Untouchables,” “Wag The Dog,” and so many others in his Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning career.

Elizabeth will next be seen reprising her role as Gloria’s (Sofia Vergara) mother, Pilar, in an upcoming episode of ABC’s “Modern Family.”

Principal photography for “Blackbird” begins this January in Australia.