Rachel Zegler’s “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” Wins U.S. Box Office Crown in Debut Weekend

Rachel Zegler is enjoying box office gold…

The 22-year-old half-Colombian American Golden Globe-winning starlet’s The Hunger Games” prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes emerged victorious in a busy box office weekend.

Rachel Zegler, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,The Lionsgate film, which brings audiences back to the dystopia of Panem for the first time in nearly a decade, collected $44 million from 3,776 North American theaters and $98 million globally in its first weekend of release.

While initial ticket sales didn’t recapture the spark of the original franchise, which propelled Jennifer Lawrence to global stardom and inspired three sequels, they were enough to win the weekend over three fellow newcomers, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s threequel Trolls Band Together, Sony’s gory thriller Thanksgiving and director Taika Waititi’s sports comedy Next Goal Wins.

Although The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes opened significantly lower than its predecessors — each of the four Hunger Games installments launched to at least $100 million at the domestic box office — analysts believe the film is well positioned in its theatrical run. It cost $100 million to produce, more than the first Hunger Games but substantially less than the three sequels (with the final 2015 adventure costing $160 million).

“This is a very good opening for an action-adventure prequel,” says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “On average, prequels start with approximately half of the previous film’s opening, and this weekend’s figure is close to that.”

Zegler and The Gilded Age actor Tom Blyth star in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, based on the 2020 novel by author Suzanne Collins. It’s a standalone film in the $3 billion Hunger Games franchise, which takes place six decades before Katniss Everdeen bravely volunteered as tribute.

The story centers on a young Coriolanus Snow, who later becomes the tyrannical president of the dystopian Panem, as well as District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, whom he mentors in the 10th annual Hunger Games. Reviews have been mixed, with 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and a “B+” CinemaScore. Audiences were mostly young women; 65% were female and 73% were between the ages of 18-34.

It likely benefitted from a late-breaking boost in publicity (SAG-AFTRA granted the film an interim agreement days before the strike ended on November 9), which allowed the cast — including Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Euphoria star Hunter Schafer — the opportunity to promote the film before it arrived in theaters.

Alejandro Sanz Receives All-Star Welcome to His New Label, Sony Music Latin-Iberia

Alejandro Sanz is getting an all-star welcome at Sony Music Latin-Iberia.

The 54-year-old Spanish award-winning singer-songwriter was serenaded by Kany GarcíaCamilo and Evaluna, among other artists, serenaded  at an event hosted by Sony Music during Latin Grammy Week in Sevilla, Spain, officially welcoming Sanz to his new label.

Alejandro SanzProducer Javier Limón, a close friend of Sanz’s, hosted the event along with Afo Verde, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Latin-Iberia, and José María Barbat, president of Sony Music Iberia.

“We’re here on an unforgettable night because we have the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of Alejandro Sanz to our great Sony Music family,” said Verde, who signed Sanz to Sony this past June.

”We know the extraordinary artist that’s inside you. We know of your drive and passion for your work, your curiosity for new artists, the support you give those who are starting off, your generosity with your colleagues, your commitment to causes of fairness and the value of your friendship,” added Barbat.

Camilo, Evaluna, Niña Pastori, Kany García, J·Noa, Darumas, Yerai Cortés and Montse Cortés performed some of Sanz’s emblematic songs, including “Amiga Mía” (J Noa), “Cuando nadie me ve” (Kany García) and “Desde cuando” (Camilo y Evaluna).  The honoree enjoyed the evening from a table set in a semi private area, from which he could see the performances.

Other artists, including Malú, Ana Mena, Arde Bogotá, Omar Montes, Reik, Nicki Nicole, Kenia OS and María José Llergo, were also at the event ,which took place in Hacienda Azahares.

This year, Sanz is nominated for a Latin Grammy for song of the year for “Nasa” alongside Camilo, and record of the year for “Correcaminos” with Danny Ocean.

Sanz thanked his “Dear Sony family” for the warm welcome. “It’s been a beautiful night to get together again and begin this new stage, in addition to a prelude to a week where we’ll celebrate music. Let’s enjoy and celebrate!” he said.

Mauricio Ochmann Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Mauricio Ochmann has new representation…

The Mexican actor and Spanish-language star, best known for his roles in telenovelas like Amarte Asi, has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for representation in all areas.

Mauricio OchmannOchmann’s credits include El Señor de los Cielos and its spinoff El Chema (Telemundo Network’s highest-rated show),

Ochmann’s feature Friends Till Death (Amigos Hasta La Muerte), in which he starred and produced, debuted this past August in the top 10 on Amazon in the U.S. and was #1 in 30 countries worldwide.

Earlier this year, his film All the Places (A Todas Partes), produced by Sony for Netflix, was #6 among all movies on Netflix U.S. and debuted at #1 across Latin America.

Ochmann recently wrapped season two of the TV show Las Bravas F.C. for HBO Max.

Feature film credits include Y Como Es El, the top-grossing Mexican film of 2022, and Hazlo Como Hombre and Ya Veremos, which also were hits in Mexico.

As a producer, Ochmann has a first-look deal with streamer VIX+, a joint venture between Mexican media giant Televisa and US-based network Univision.

Next up, Ochmann is attached to star in action-comedy Operation Mother’s Day. Ochmann and Larry Robinson are producing with Argentinian director Ariel Winograd attached.

Katina Medina Mora to Direct Her First English-Language Film, “Freeland”

Katina Medina Mora is embracing a freeland

The 43-year-old Latina film, television and theatre director and Emily in Paris helmer will direct Freeland, her first English-language film.

Katina Medina MoraThe film will be co-written with Chilean scribe Julio Rojas, creator of podcast sensation Caso 63 and a co-writer on Pablo Fendrik’s El Refugio.

Nicolas Celis, who earned an Academy Award nod for producing Roma, will serve as the lead producer of Freeland.

The project was put together by producer Nestor Hernández, a former Sony and HBO development executive for Latin America who attended the San Sebastian Film Festival in September to present the project.

MadAvenue PR director Eva Herrero serves as an executive producer on the film.

“We have long been following Katina Medina Mora’s remarkable career and her impressive accomplishments over such a short time span,” remarked Celis who has been attending Iberseries to take part in a panel and to meet with contacts.

“I am also more than thrilled to be working with Rojas and alongside Hernández,” he said. “At Pimienta Films, we are increasingly focused on producing globally appealing films with talented and influential creators like Katina,” he noted.

“Nicolas is not only one of the most recognized producers in Mexico, but for me, is one of the few whose work has both narrative and artistic value.” said Medina Mora, adding: “Collaborating with him is something I have been waiting for a long time. I am certain that his involvement with ‘Freeland’ will bring many strengths to the project.”

In “Freeland,” based on Rojas’ eponymous novel, Nicolas, a 17-year-old living in a seemingly idyllic village, shocks his school when he asserts that the Earth is round in a world where a creationist revolution has rewritten history. He’s sent to a reeducation reformatory called Hotel Roma, where he falls in love with Hipatia, the daughter of political prisoners. Together, they plan to escape to Freeland’s border in a totalitarian dystopia of the mid-2030s.

“It is an honor for me that Pimienta and Nicolas Celis have chosen to lead this project. I have been a great admirer of the work of Julio, Katina and Nicolas himself for years. I feel like I am part of something truly unique,” said Hernandez.

Kenia Os Re-Signs Recording Deal with Sony Music Mexico & 5020 Records

Kenia Os is hoping to expand her musical reach…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter, a rising Latin music pop star, has re-signed her recording deal with Sony Music Mexico and 5020 Records, the new Sony imprint based out of Miami.

Kenia Os“I’m thrilled to continue growing along with my label, Sony Music Mexico, and with 5020 Records to develop my career at an international level. I’m very excited about everything that’s coming,” said Os. The singer signed her new deal out of 5020’s offices in Miami.

In a Latin arena currently dominated by urban and regional Mexican music, Os has been an unlikely pop success, garnering over 5 million subscribers to her YouTube channel and currently has over 7 million listeners on Spotify. A sensation on TikTok, Os’ hit “Malas decisiones” generated over 8.4 million creations on the platforms.

Os (real name Kenia Guadalupe Flores Osuna) has released two albums on Sony, Cambios de Luna (2022) and K3 (2023), which was also released in vinyl format in Mexico. The former was accompanied by a short documentary that played successfully in movie theaters in Mexico.

“We’re very happy with what we’ve accomplished so far with Kenia, the new Mexican pop star,” said Roberto Lopez, president of Sony Music Mexico.

“Kenia is a unique artist, with an artistic and entrepreneurial vision,” said Rafael Arcaute, co president of 5020 Records. “We are inspired by her power and dedication to her career.”

“She’s an exceptional artist who combines talent, vision and professionalism,
added 5020 co president Bruno Duarte. “It’s an honor for us to extend this relationship.”

Os recently won three Premios Juventud, which are voted on by fans, including New female generation and Best Fandom. She also has multiple nominations to the MTV MIAW 2023 awards.

Miguel Appears in Sony’s “For the Music” Campaign

Miguel is reaching new heights…

The 37-year-old half-Mexican American R&B singer scales a massive skyscraper and breaks through the building’s glass window in the visual for Sony’s “For the Music” campaign.

Miguel

The Grammy winner came up with the concept. 

“There were a few things that myself and my creative advisor, Franc Fernandez, have been tossing around in general in order to build out some of the storytelling, and this one just felt like it could be a fun opportunity to not only push myself but to also push the brand [and] how far Sony’s willing to go for artists,” Miguel explains to Billboard. “That was pretty much the way we came up with [the concept]. It didn’t take much time because we had already had it in the bank of ideas.”

Directed by Liam McRae, the one-minute visual symbolizes the multiplatinum-selling singer’s next era in music and Sony’s commitment to supporting artists like Miguel in breaking through “creative barriers” and connecting directly with their fans.  “I think across the board that’s been the intention,” Miguel said. “To hopefully give my fans new ways to appreciate my music and creativity and this is one of them. It was exciting to be able to do this. Not too many people can say they scaled a building!”

Miguel will be the first artist “For the Music” will support with brand campaigns for Sony’s WF-1000XM5 headphones and X-Series wireless speakers.

Sony’s new platform aims to foster various collaborations with artists, including creating specialty content, activations and memorable experiences for music fans and allowing artists’ input on Sony products and tools such as 360 Reality Audio and 360 Virtual Mixing Environment to improve content creation and listening experiences on headphones, wireless speakers and other products.

Fans will hear a new track from Miguel’s upcoming album in the Sony visual. “The song is called ‘Number 9.’ It’s about completion and new beginnings,” he explained. “It’s my intention to push beyond creative bounds and discover new places to go as a musician and an artist. Sony was intent on honoring artists’ creative vision and the song is about ending the old, starting new, and the cylindrical nature of change. I think all of that comes to a head in this very short visual. It’s powerful. It sets the tone for what’s to come, I’m excited for people to see it.”

“I’ve never done commercials for anyone, but this felt like such an authentic collaboration. We were on the same page about really pushing the boundaries about what’s expected of both our brands and what they represent. It’s exciting to be the first one to be able to express themselves through this medium with a partner as supportive of a vision as they were. It was really dope.”

As part of the collaboration, Sony and Miguel will partner on various giveaways, VIP experiences and sweepstakes, including a chance for five lucky fans to receive a VIP invite to his upcoming album and “For the Music” campaign release party in Los Angeles.

Visit forthemusic.electronics.sony.com to enter for a chance to win an invite.

“Sony’s audio team has long supported artists because at its core, Sony represents passion for music, for listeners and creators,” added Jordy Freed, Sony’s head of brand and business development and partner marketing and strategy. “This passion drives our existing products and services, as well as newly launched products, from our consumer WF-1000XM5 headphones to professional studio headphones such as the MDR-MV1 to sound technologies such as 360 Virtual Mixing Environment and 360 Reality Audio. These exciting new activities mark the perfect time to formalize our continued support for creators, celebrate artistry, and create a tangible platform to empower their visions and reach music fans wide.”

Sony has partnered with other Sony Music artists in the past including SZA, Khalid and Tate McRae. Miguel’s collaboration comes ahead of his forthcoming album.

“I think the biggest, most relatable way of describing the overall tone [of the album] is that I took a snapshot of my life and realized that it was about the violent and beautiful nature of change. The most exciting thing about that is it gives me the opportunity to have really intimate and vulnerable moments that I don’t think I’ve ever been able to have with my fans.”

“This album is maximalism. It’s intimate, dynamic, manic at times, but it’s all very, very much the fringe of my creativity and I’m excited to even push beyond that. I think it marks the beginning of a very prolific era in my career and my expression.”

Isabela Merced to Star as Hawkgirl in Warner Bros. DC Film “Superman: Legacy”

Isabela Merced has landed a super role…

The 22-year-old half-Peruvian American actress has joined the cast of Warner Bros. DC franchise resetter Superman: Legacy, as announced by studio chief Peter Safran in a new article with Vanity Fair.

Merced, who starred in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, is among new cast additions that includes Nathan Fillion and Edi Gathegi.

Isabela MercedMerced will portray Hawkgirl, while Fillion will portray Guy Gardner — one iteration of the superhero Green Lantern — and Gathegi as Mister Terrific. David Corenswet will play Clark Kent aka Superman, as previously announced.

Studio boss James Gunn is directing from his own script, which draws on DC characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Safran is serving as producer.

Merced has a full dance card up ahead with roles in everything from Sony’s Madame Web to the Fede Alvarez-helmed Alien: Romulus, action thriller Ballerina Overdrive and Hannah Marks’ Turtles All the Way Down. Recent credits for the actress on the film side include Rosaline and Father of the Bride.

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” Featuring Oscar Isaac, Opens with $120.5 Million U.S. Box Office Haul

Oscar Isaac is slinging his way to the top of the box office…

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, featuring the 44-year-old Cuban-Guatemalan actor as Miguel O’Hara aka Spider-Man 2099, earned a stellar $120.5 million in its domestic box office debut.

Oscar IsaacThe film beat expectations to land the second-biggest opening weekend of the year, behind only The Super Mario Bros. Movie with $146 million, as well as the third-biggest opening weekend for any Spider-Man film.

Sony’s animated sequel is benefitting from great reviews and positive word-of-mouth, as well as goodwill from its predecessor, 2018’s Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Miguel O'Hara aka Spider-Man 2099,Initial ticket sales were significantly higher than the first film, which introduced audiences to Miles Morales and the idea that “anyone can wear the mask” and opened to just $35.5 million. But it proved to have enduring appeal and stuck around in theaters for a while, ending its run with $190 million in North America and $384 million globally.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse earned another $88.1 million from 59 territories in its international box office debut, led by China with $17.3 million. That brings its worldwide total to $208.6 million to start.

“This is an exceptionally good opening for an animation follow-up sequel,” says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “Spider-Verse took a well-liked superhero, gave the storytelling an original visual style and voice and created a unique experience.”

Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson directed the PG-rated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which cost $100 million.

The story follows Miles and Gwen Stacy (a.k.a. Spider-Woman) as they attempt to save their fellow Spider People from the villain who goes by the name the Spot. Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld returned to voice Miles and Gwen, while the rest of the voice cast includes Brian Tyree Henry, Issa Rae, Jason Schwartzman, Daniel Kaluuya and Isaac. Lauren Velez voices the character of Rio Morales, Miles’ mom.

Audiences awarded the film an “A” CinemaScore while critics bestowed it with a 95% average on Rotten Tomatoes.

Natalie Morales to Star in the Dark Dramedy “My Dead Friend Zoe”

Natalie Morales is making a new (dead) friend

The 38-year-old Cuban American actress will star opposite Ed Harris and Sonequa Martin-Green in My Dead Friend Zoe, a dark dramedy about two generations of veterans, family and friendship.

Natalie MoralesKyle Hausmann-Stokes will direct the project in what will be his feature debut.

Written by Hausmann-Stokes and A.J. Bermudez, the film tells the story of a female veteran (Martin-Green) engaged in a mysterious but comfortable friendship with her wise-cracking (and dead) best friend from the Army (Morales). When the vet is summoned to the remote lake house of her estranged Vietnam vet grandfather (Harris), she is tasked with providing the one thing he refuses…help.

The film is based on Merit x Zoe, a short that Hausmann-Stokes co-wrote and directed last year, and both films draw inspiration from his real-life experiences during and after the military. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Hausmann-Stokes served five years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and convoy commander and was awarded the Bronze Star while in Iraq. He co-founded the nonprofit Veterans in Media & Entertainment, and has focused his directing career thus far on the social and human sides of the military and veteran experience.

“My fellow veterans and I often get reduced to archetypes and melodramatic tropes. We’re much more dynamic, funny, complex than that,” said Hausmann-Stokes. “This will be a story about veterans we haven’t seen before; one that anyone, military/veteran or not, can relate to and enjoy.”

A Gotham Award nominee who’ll next be seen in the third season of Apple TV+’s The Morning Show and Sony’s R-rated comedy No Hard Feelings, Morales has previously appeared in such studio features as StuberThe Little Things and Battle of the Sexes, as well as well-regarded indies like Language Lessons and I’m Totally Fine.

She led the NBC sitcom Abby’s and has also been seen on series like Dead to MeSanta Clarita DietThe GrinderParks and Recreation and White Collar.

Other upcoming projects for the actress include two films out of SXSW 2023: the sci-fi romance If You Were the Last with Anthony Mackie, and actor Jake Johnson’s feature directorial debut, Self Reliance.

Alfred Molina to Star in Indie Dramedy “When We Get There”

Alfred Molina is going there

The 69-year-old half-Spanish English actor will star in the indie dramedy When We Get There, the feature debut of writer-director Ryan Patrick Welsh.

Alfred MolinaMindy Sterling and William Katt are also set, with newcomers Chris Heeder, Jamie Lien and Alek Kristopher rounding out the cast.

Co-directed by Justin GiddingsWhen We Get There tells the story of brothers Cal (Heeder) and Ty (Kristopher), who embark on a cross-country trek to meet the father they’ve never known, and the only family they have left. Along with Cal’s long-term girlfriend Ellie (Lien) and a new guitar named Stevie, the trio are forced to navigate uncertain futures on a 2000-mile journey in a car on its last leg. Along the way they discover what, and who, it’s worth showing up for.

Molina portrays Ellie’s abrasive but lovable father Marcus, with Sterling and Katt as Florence and Bob, two vagabond campers the kids meet along the way.

Molina recently reprised his Marvel role as evil genius Doc Ock in Sony’s Tom Holland-led blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home, which grossed over $1.9B worldwide, having first played the role opposite Tobey Maguire in 2004’s Spider-Man 2.

He also recently led the Prime Video mystery series Three Pines and has additionally been seen on such series as Angie TribecaFeud and Show Me a Hero, to name a few.

The Golden Globe and two-time Emmy-nominated actor has worked consistently since the late 1970s and has appeared on the film side in such acclaimed titles as The Front Runner, Love Is StrangeAn Education, Identity, Frida, Chocolat, Magnolia, Boogie Nights and many more.