Actor/director Sean Penn is planning to shoot a new movie in Venezuela, the country's President Hugo Chavez has revealed. Penn shared his plans with the controversial leader during a meeting on Wednesday at the presidential palace in the capital Caracas.

The movie will be based on Cuban author Alejo Carpentier's 1953 novel "The Lost Steps."

Speaking on state television Chavez says "(He) told me was very interested in a film project... that would most likely be shot in part in Venezuela."

The Mystic River actor has been heavily criticized for his connections to Chavez and former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Penn will be writing about his trip to Cuba and Venezuela as part of an upcoming Vanity Fair article.

- Click here for more great Sean Penn pictures! -

Image © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)