Summit Entertainment hired the Colombian actress, who starred in Che and Maria Full of Grace, to play Maria in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.
In the Stephenie Meyer novel, Maria is described as a petite brunette with a soft voice. In the 19th century, this character tried to create a new army of vampires, joining forces with Jasper.
Production of the third Twilight film begins next week in Vancouver. The movie is scheduled for a release in theatres on June 30, 2010.
Catalina Sandino Moreno will also be starring in Frail, which is still in development.