Tom Hanks to star in controversial Latino film

Hollywood veteran Tom Hanks is to star in a new film by Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow which has sparked fury in Latin America, the movie's producer was quoted as saying Wednesday.

Argentina and Paraguay are refusing to cooperate in the production of the movie "Triple Frontier," which focuses on a border region between the two countries and Brazil thought to be a center for terror financing.

"Tom Hanks is starring in the film," producer Charles Roven told the ComingSoon.net online movie news website. "We're still looking to cast the other roles. We're hoping to start shooting the movie sometime in mid-March."

There was no immediate response from publicists for Hanks, famous for roles in "Sleepless in Seattle," "Forrest Gump," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Castaway."

Bigelow, whose movie "The Hurt Locker" won multiple Oscars this year, including best picture, wants to examine the area where Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil meet.

But the focus on the region has angered the tourism ministers of Argentina and Paraguay, who fear the movie could damage their countries' reputation with foreign visitors.

The border region has long been associated with trade in contraband items and the US government has also said it is a center for terror financing, a claim denied by the three countries involved.