U.S. prosecutors say Mauricio Sanchez Garza and others conspired to steal, by force, a religious-themed script and invest in the film.
Sanchez made an initial court appearance Tuesday in San Antonio. Online records didn't immediately list an attorney to speak for Sanchez, who was extradited Monday.
Sanchez in 2010 was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit extortion and money laundering, then later indicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering.
His brother, Alejandro Sanchez Garza, in 2014 was sentenced to 30 months for conspiracy to commit money laundering.
A convicted Mexican drug trafficker, Jorge Vazquez Sanchez, pleaded guilty in 2012 to extortion and money laundering and received seven years.