Rodolfo Salas Signs with Artists First for Representation Across All Areas

Rodolfo Salas has new representation…

The 40-year-old Venezuelan actor and model has signed with Artists First for representation across all areas.

Rodolfo SalasSalas has become one of the central faces of Netflix’s Latin American expansion, as he most recently starred in the platform’s hit series Fake Profile which follows a woman who creates a sexy profile on the online dating app Spice looking for the man of her dreams. Her dreams quickly turn into nightmares, and Camila ends up falling into a web of sex, lies, and deception. The show is headed into production on its second season in Colombia.

Prior to Fake Profile, he led the Mexican limited series Pact of Silence for Netflix. Next, he’ll star in the Lifetime original movie Padres, which is set to premiere in 2024.

Salas was also a mainstay of Telemundo after emigrating to the United States in 2014. He starred in their series La Fan, Neighborhood Butterfly, Blood of My Land, Betty In NY and most recently, Back To Me.

While not in production overseas, Rodolfo resides with his family in Miami, Florida.

Artists First is a talent management and production company focused on actors, writers, directors and producers in film, television and digital media, Artists First boasts a roster that also includes Martin Lawrence, Awkwafina, Kenya Barris, Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Niecy Nash, Ed Helms, Will Arnett, Ike Barinholtz, Paul Walter Hauser, Kate McKinnon, Michael Showalter, Jon M. Chu, Lior Raz, Mitch Hurwitz and Cristela Alonzo, among others.

Netflix to Premiere “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday Featuring Anthony Ramos, in November

Anthony Ramos is preparing for a Bad holiday season…

Netflix will premiere the animated half-hour special The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday, featuring the 31-year-old Puerto Rican actor, singer and Broadway star as part of the voice cast, on November 30.

Anthony RamosThe special is a prequel to the 2022 hit animated film The Bad Guys.

Based on a children’s graphic novel series, the The Bad Guys film follows a group of anthropomorphic criminals, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark and Mr. Piranha, voiced respectively by Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson and Ramos.

After getting caught, Mr. Wolf makes a play to escape prison time by claiming that the group wants a chance to reform themselves into good guys. Though it starts as a ruse, Mr. Wolf soon finds himself excited by the opportunity to better himself.

The film grossed more than $250 million worldwide and was the second-highest-grossing animated film of 2022.

The Bad GuysIn the prequel, set before the events of the feature, there’s nothing the Bad Guys love more than Christmas morning — because while everyone is home opening presents, it’s the perfect time to execute their citywide holiday heist. But when Christmas is unexpectedly canceled, the Bad Guys must do the unthinkable: reignite the city’s holiday spirit by giving instead of taking.

The voice cast includes Michael Godere as Wolf, Ezekiel Ajeigbe as Shark, Raul Ceballos as Piranha, Chris Diamantopoulos as Snake, Mallory Low as Tarantula, Zehra Fazal as Tiffany Fluffit, Keith Silverstein as Gary, Shaved Ice Vendor and Kari Wahlgren as DJ Trudy Tude.

Bret Haaland directs and executive produces with Katherine Nolfi.

Peacock to Exclusively Stream “Renfield,” Featuring Adrian Martinez

Adrian Martinez will be vamping it up online…

Universal Pictures has set the streaming premiere date for its Chris McKay-directed horror comedy Renfield, featuring the 51-year-old Mexican American actor.

Adrian MartinezStarring Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage, the film will bow exclusively on Peacock on Friday, June 9th.

Released in theaters on April 14th, the film follows Renfield (Hoult), the tortured aide to history’s most narcissistic boss: Dracula (Cage). For centuries, Renfield has slavishly served Dracula by procuring his master’s prey and doing his every bidding, no matter how debased. But now, Renfield is ready to look for a new life outside the shadow of The Prince of Darkness, if only he can figure out how to end the toxic, co-dependent relationship.

Martinez portrays Chris Marcos, a traffic cop and Rebecca’s (Awkwafina) co-worker.

The film was scripted by Ryan Ridley, from a story by Robert Kirkman — one of a number of projects through which Universal has looked to leverage its movie monster library for a modern audience.

 

Taylor Ortega to Star in Prime Video‘s Paul Feig-Directed Action Comedy “Grand Death Lotto”

Taylor Ortega is playing the lotto

The Latina writer, comedian and actor has joined the cast of Prime Video‘s Paul Feig-helmed action comedy Grand Death Lotto.

Taylor OrtegaIn addition to Ortega, who starred in HBO’s Succession, other new cast additions include Michael HitchcockBecky Ann Baker, Sam Asghari, Leslie David BakerMurray Hill and Adam Ray.

The actors join an ensemble led by John Cena, Awkwafina and Simu Liu, which also includes Ayden Mayeri, Seann William Scott, Dolly de Leon and Donald Elise Watkins.

Written by Rob Yescombe, the film currently in production is set in a very near future, in which a Grand Lottery has been established in economically challenged California. The only catch? You’ll need to kill the winner before sundown in order to legally claim their prize. New L.A. transplant Katie (Awkwafina) accidentally finds herself with the winning ticket and must join forces with amateur jackpot protector Noel (Cena) to make it to sundown in order to claim her multi-billion-dollar prize, all while dealing with Noel’s protection rival Louis Lewis (Liu), who also wants to get her to sundown in order to claim his rich protection commission.

Ortega is a series regular on Fox’s mockumentary series Welcome to Flatch, directed and executive produced by Feig, and has also been seen in Starz’s continuation of Party Down, as well as the HBO Max anthology Love Life and HBO’s Succession. She’ll next be seen leading the indie comedy Wine Club from directors Eric D. Cohen and Matthew Hirschhorn.

Disney Releases First Trailer for the Carlos López Estrada-Directed Animated Film “Raya and the Last Dragon”

Carlos López Estrada’s sharing his Ray(a) sunshine…

Disney has released the first trailer for Raya and the Last Dragon, directed by the 32-year-old Mexican music video, commercial and film director and Don Hall.

Carlos Lopez Estrada

“This world has changed,” says Raya, the warrior heroine voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, “and its people are divided. Now to restore peace I must find the last dragon.” And for a final trailer image that should speak to today’s audiences, Raya pulls down the sand mask that’s been covering her mouth as the voice-over declares her name.

 

The official synopsis: “Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.”

Raya and the Last DragonTran joined the project in August, teaming up with Awkawafina, who plays a dragon in human form named Sisu.

Hall and Estrada direct, with Paul Briggs and John Ripa co-directing.

Raya and the Last Dragon from Walt Disney Animation Studio opens in U.S. theaters on March 12, 2021.

Cardi B Celebrates Class of 2020 in Special Facebook & Instagram Virtual Commencement Ceremony

Let Cardi B’s brilliant speechwriting commence

Despite ending their year in quarantine, the Class of 2020 is getting some great advice from the 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar and other celebrities.

Cardi B

Cardi B, Selena GomezOprah Winfrey,Matthew McConaughey and more celebs have come together for #Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020, which kicked off on Friday, May 15 at 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm. ET. 

The event was co-hosted by Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak, with a commencement address by Oprah Winfrey and words of wisdom from AwkwafinaJennifer GarnerLil Nas XSimone Biles and others. 

A preview of Cardi B’s speech was released on Thursday, showing the rapper offering her pearls of wisdom.

“It’s more than a diploma,” Cardi B says. “It’s more than graduation. It’s knowledge. It’s knowing that you took it… that you went through those hard nights studying. To this day, I just replay my high school memories in my head, and for the college ones… I didn’t finish college, but I went. I just want to say congrats. Now you’re about to start your life, you’re about to make some money!”

Http://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=250142263005997

#Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020 will be available on Facebook Watch and facebook.com/facebookapp.

Highlights and more will be posted to the @instagram account on Instagram and on contributors’ social media accounts.

Christy Turlington to Be Honored at Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party

Christy Turlington has reached Iconstatus…

The 50-year-old half-Salvadoran American former model will be honored at this year’s Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party, set to kick off New York Fashion Weekon September 6 for a sixth consecutive year at the Plaza Hotel.

Christy Turlington

In addition to Turlington, the magazine will fete more notable names featured in Harper’s Bazaar global fashion director Carine Roitfeld‘s 2019 “Icons” portfolio, including Alicia KeysCeline DionAwkwafinaRegina KingShailene WoodleyLakeith StanfieldKate Moss,Alek Wekand Devon Aoki.

“I am excited to once again bring Harper’s Bazaar editors from around the world together to kick off New York Fashion Week and celebrate the 10 cultural forces that make up this year’s Icons portfolio,” said Roitfeld in a statement. “I am especially honored that the truly iconic Alicia Keys will be delivering this year’s special performance, which promises to be as inspirational and show-stopping as the artist herself.”

Added Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Marie Claire senior vp and publishing director Carol Smith: “Bazaar is delighted to return to the Plaza to celebrate our sixth annual Icons portfolio by Carine Roitfeld. From Alicia Keys to Christy Turlington and Awkwafina to Lakeith Stanfield, the iconic men and women featured in this year’s portfolio embody the essence of being an independent — they’ve challenged the norm, defied expectations, broken boundaries and rewritten the rules — personally, professionally, politically, creatively, in life and around the world.”

At last year’s Icons party, pop diva Christina Aguilera took a break from her North American Liberation Tourto perform for a star-studded crowd. 

More past Icons performers include The WeekndKaty Perry and Kanye West, among others.

She represented Calvin Klein’s Eternity campaign in 1989 and again in 2014,and also representsMaybelline. Turlington was named one of GlamourWomen of the Yearin 2013,and, in 2014, was named included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.Turlington initially attracted fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a supermodel.

Auli’i Cravalho to Star in ABC’s Live “The Little Mermaid” Special

Auli’i Cravalho is heading under the sea

The 18-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer is set to star as Ariel in ABC’s The Little Mermaid live special.

Auli’i Cravalho

In addition to Cravalho, who rose to acclaim as the voice of the title character in Disney’s Moana, the special will also star Queen Latifah as Ursula and Shaggy as Sebastian. 

The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live!, featuring a mix of live action, animation and puppetry, will air on November 5 to mark the classic Disney animated feature’s 30th anniversary.

ABC originally announced in May 2017that it would stage a live production of the beloved underwater tale under the long-dormant Wonderful World of Disneybanner, which was slated for October 3, 2017. In August of that year, the network announced that the live event had been put on hold.

Since joining ABC last December as President of Entertainment, Karey Burke has expressed strong support for live specials. Her commitment was likely reaffirmed in May after the success of Jimmy Kimmel’s live staging of two classic Norman Lear sitcoms on the network, which spawned two more installments.

Burke today said that if The Little Mermaid is a success, it too can lead to do more live musicals based on Disneyfilm titles on ABC. “If it works, I expect we will do more of them and we will work closely with the feature department about timing,” she said.

Billed as a tribute to the original animated classic and its music, The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! will feature live musical performances by its star-studded cast interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film. 

The hybrid format will combine intricate sets and costumes created for the special with music from the original animated film and the Tony Award-winningBroadway stage version, composed by eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken

Howard Ashman’s film lyrics will also be showcased, with Glenn Slater, lyricist for the Broadway adaptation, as a contributor.

Cravalho is already in the extended Disney Princessesfamily having voiced Moana in the hit animated movie. 

Following her breakout role in Moana, Cravalho performed the film’s anthem, How Far I’ll Go, at the Oscarsand starred in the NBCmusical drama series Rise. It was just announced that she is the lead of the Brett Haley Netflixfilm Sorta Like a Rock Star

The announcement of The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! going forward comes as Disney is gearing up for production of a live-action feature adaptation of The Little Mermaid for director Rob MarshallHamilton‘s Lin-Manuel Miranda and Menken. Halle Bailey has been set as Ariel in the movie, Awkwafina as Ariel’s seagull friend Scuttle, and Jacob Tremblay as Ariel’s friendly fish pal Flounder, while Melissa McCarthy has been rumored for the role of UIrsula and Harry Stylesfor Prince Eric.

Burke is not worried about ABC’s live Little Mermaid special and the upcoming movie cannibalizing each other. “Ours is distinctly different from the feature film,” she said.

Javier Bardem In Talks to Star in Disney’s Live-Action “The Little Mermaid” Remake

Javier Bardem could be heading under the sea

The 50-year-old Spanish Academy Award-winning actor is in talks to star in Disney‘s live-action remake of its animated classic, The Little Mermaid. 

Javier Bardem

He’s circling the role of King Triton, father of Ariel, who is being portrayed by Halle Bailey.

Rob Marshal lis directing the live-action/CGI feature from a script by David Magee.

One Direction’s Harry Styles is reportedly being considered for the role of Prince Eric. Previously announced cast members include Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.

Marc Platt, Marshall, Lin-Manuel Miranda and John DeLuca are producing the film for Disney. 

The original film’s composer Alan Menkenis back to write new music and will craft the lyrics with Miranda.

Bardem, who picked up a Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 2007 Coen Brothers film No Country for Old Me, will co-star in Dune, the Denis Villeneuve-directed film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s bestselling novel, which is set up at Legendary.

Trailer Released for Eugenio Derbez’s “The Angry Birds Movie 2”

Eugenio Derbezwill be flying high this August…

The trailer for The Angry Birds Movie 2, with the 57-year-old Mexican actor as part of the voice cast, has been released.

Eugenio Derbez

Here’s what’s on the bill: When a new threat emerges that puts both Bird and Pig Island in danger, Red (Jason Sudeikis), Chuck (Josh Gad), Bomb (Danny McBride) and Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage) recruit Chuck’s sister Silver (Rachel Bloom) and team up with pigs Leonard (Bill Hader), his assistant Courtney (Awkwafina) and techpig Garry (Sterling K. Brown) to forge an unsteady truce and form an unlikely superteam to save their homes.

In addition to Derbez, who voices the character of Glenn, Bloom, Brown and Awkwafina, the newbie birds for Round 2 are Leslie JonesZach Woods, Lil Rel HoweryPete DavidsonBeck Bennett, Nicki MinajBrooklynn Princeand Dove Cameron.

First-time feature director Thurop Van Ormanfeathers the nest from a script bIce Age franchise veteran Peter Ackerman

Sony Picturesopens the toon in 2- and 3D on August 16.

2016’s The Angry Birds Movie earned $352.3 million worldwide.