MEXICO CITY — For the actor holding the rights to make a movie about Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the latest step toward his eventual extradition to the U.S. is a welcome turn.

“Today’s news that El Chapo may be extradited to the United States is good news in that it will allow my team greater access to him in order to tell a full and accurate picture of his unbelievable life and work,” Kate del Castillo said through her publicist Monday.

Her comment came after Mexican judicial authorities said a judge ruled that legal requirements had been met for sending Guzman to the U.S. to face drug charges. The country’s Foreign Relations Department must still approve extradition, and Guzman’s lawyers can appeal.

Del Castillo arranged actor Sean Penn’s interview with Guzman in October while the leader of the Sinaloa cartel was on the lam after his second escape from prison. Del Castillo has said she was able to do so because of a relationship that developed around Guzman’s interest in having a film made about his life.

Mexican authorities have said they are investigating whether Del Castillo received any money from Guzman. She denies that happened.

Del Castillo’s optimism that Guzman would be more accessible in the U.S. after extradition could be misplaced.

“I think that her statement is wishful thinking,” said David S. Weinstein, a former prosecutor who oversaw the narcotics division at the U.S. attorney’s office in Miami.

“She will have little to no access to him prior to his trial or the resolution of all the cases for which he is extradited to the U.S. to stand trial,” Weinstein said.

After a conviction, Del Castillo would have to request an interview through the Bureau of Prisons. With such high-profile inmates, such requests are not routinely granted.