Ugly Betty Gets Tragic

America Ferrera, star of ABC’s Ugly Betty, has signed on to star in and executive produce the drama American Tragic. Ryan Piers Williams wrote the film and will make his feature directing debut with it.

American Tragic centers on a young war vet, played by newcomer Ryan O’Nan, who sets off across the country with a buddy to find redemption. Ferrera will play his wife. Melissa Leo (Righteous Kill, Mr. Woodcock) has also signed on to the film and will play the war vet’s mother.

Latino mini-studio Maya Entertainment will produce and distribute the film, with Heather Rae (Frozen River) serving as producer. Sergio Aguero (Y tu mama tambien) will executive produce alongside Ferrera.

Ferrera’s previously collaborated with Maya Entertainment on How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer, which opened in limited release last May.

Production on American Tragic starts in February in New Mexico for a projected fall 2009 release.