20th Century Studios’ “The First Omen,” Starring Sonia Braga, to be Released in April 2024

Sonia Braga is feeling an impending omen

The 20th Century Studios’ psychological thriller The First Omen, starring the 73-year-old Brazilian actress, will be released on April 5, 2024.

Sonia BragaThe film is the prequel to the classic 1976 horror film, The Omen.

The original film, a hit in its day, grossed more than $60 million at the domestic box office (unadjusted for inflation) that starred Gregory Peck, Lee Remick and Harvey Stephens, follows an American ambassador who believes his 5-year-old son is the Antichrist.

In the prequel directed by Arkasha Stevenson, a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church. She encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

In addition to Braga, best known for work in Kiss of the Spider Women, The First Omen also stars Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Ralph Ineson and Bill Nighy.

The film is based on characters created by David Seltzer, with a story by Ben Jacoby and a screenplay by Tim Smith & Arkasha Stevenson and Keith Thomas.

Producers are David S. Goyer and Keith Levine, and executive producers are Tim Smith, Whitney Brown and Gracie Wheelan.

Adrian Martinez to Appear in Rami Malek’s New Thriller “Amateur”

Adrian Martinez is an amateur

The 51-year-old Latino actor has landed a recurring role opposite Rami Malek in Amateur, a new thriller James Hawes is directing for 20th Century Studios.

Adrian MartinezThe film, for which Gary Spinelli penned the most recent draft, tells the story of Charles Heller (Malek), a CIA cryptographer who, after his wife is tragically killed in a London terrorist attack, demands his bosses go after them. When it becomes clear they won’t act due to conflicting internal priorities, he blackmails the agency into training him and letting him go after them himself.

Martinez is set for the role of Carlos, a CIA tech and Heller’s closest friend.

Hutch Parker and Dan Wilson are producing the film, with Malek exec producing.

Martinez can currently be seen playing Chris, the traffic cop buddy of Awkwafina’s Rebecca, in Chris McKay’s horror comedy Renfield for Universal, which hit theaters on April 14th.

The always-busy character actor is best known for roles in such films as Focus opposite Will Smith and Margot RobbieThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty opposite Ben StillerCasa de mi Padre opposite Will Ferrell; I Feel Pretty opposite Amy Schumer; and Disney+’s live-action reimagining of Lady and the Tramp.

Martinez was a series regular on ABC’s Stumptown and boasts additional television credits including Paramount+’s No Activity and NBC’s The Blacklist: Redemption.

Also on the actor’s slate of upcoming projects is the Netflix comedy Unfrosted marking the feature directorial debut of Jerry Seinfeld.

Raúl Martínez Signs with The Gersh Agency

Raúl Martínez has new representation…

The Gersh Agency has signed the 51-year-old Mexican director.

Raúl Martínez,Martinez is known for Spanish-language titles including The Waiter, which came in as the highest-grossing film native to the country in its July 2021 debut.

In the comedy penned by Alberto Bremer and Martínez, a waiter pretends to be an important businessman in order to reach the upper class through his entrepreneurial dreams.

Other notable big-screen titles from Martínez include Cuando sea joven for Eugenio Derbez’s 3Pas Studios and Lionsgate’s PantelionThe Patriarch for Panorama Global and Distant Horizon; and Grumpy Christmas for Panorama and Netflix.

Martínez is currently attached to direct the comedy Cholitas, based on a script by Jason Richman and Kira Kalush, for 20th Century Studios and Hulu. Blumhouse will produce alongside Michael Seitzman’s Maniac Productions, with casting underway.

The Mexico City-based artist, who has also helmed over 40 episodes of the sketch-comedy series Backdoor, continues to be managed by Jorge Garcia.

Zoe Saldana’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” Becoming No. 1 Worldwide Film Release of 2022

Zoe Saldana is celebrating a special honor…

James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, starring the 44-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress, has now officially crossed the $1 billion mark at the international box office with Tuesday’s grosses included.

Zoë SaldañaWith its $1,482.5M worldwide total through Tuesday, the epic sci-fi sequel from 20th Century Studios/Disney is next on its way to yet another milestone and will top $1.5B global when today’s numbers are factored.

In doing so, it will become the No. 1 worldwide release of 2022, surpassing Top Gun: Maverick’s $1.489B.

The overseas sum through Tuesday is $1.025B, after adding $28.3M in 52 international markets yesterday (a 44% drop from last Tuesday). WoW is the No. 1 offshore release of 2022 and No. 2 of the pandemic era.

It stands as the No. 9 international release of all time, moving up from No. 11 having just passed The Fate of the Furious and Jurassic World after 21 days in movie theaters.

Globally, it is the No. 12 biggest release ever, now overtaking Disney’s own Frozen II.

20th Century Studios to Stream Auli’i Cravalho’s Supernatural Teen Comedy “Darby and the Dead” on Hulu

Auli’i Cravalho’s latest project is headed to Hulu…

20th Century Studios has announced that its supernatural teen comedy Darby and the Dead, starring the 21-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer and Riele Downs, will stream exclusively on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories on December 2nd.

Auli’i CravalhoThe film formerly titled Darby Harper Wants You to Know is about a high school student who moonlights as a spiritual messenger. After suffering a near-death experience as a young girl, Darby Harper (Downs) gains the ability to see dead people. As a result, she becomes introverted and shut off from her high school peers and prefers to spend time counseling lonely spirits who have unfinished business on earth. But all that changes when Capri (Cravalho), the Queen Bee of the school’s most exclusive clique, unexpectedly dies in a freak hair straightening accident, resulting in the obvious cancellation of her upcoming “Sweet 17.”

Auli’i CravalhoCapri, however, pleads with Darby from the other side to intervene and convince Capri’s friends to proceed with the party as planned. In order to appease the wrath of the undead diva, Darby must emerge from her self-imposed exile and reinvent herself — which along the way allows her to find new joy back in the land of the living.

The film also stars Chosen Jacobs, Asher Angel, Wayne Knight, Derek Luke and Tony Danza.

Darby and the Dead was directed by Emmy nominee Silas Howard. Becca Greene wrote the script, which was based on a story by Wenonah Wilms.

Cravalho made her acting debut as the voice of the titular character in Disney’s Moana. Her other credits include Rise, All Together Now and Crush.

Diego Calva’s Ensemble Film “Babylon” to Open in Wide Release Christmas Weekend

Diego Calva will be spending the Christmas holiday in Babylon

The 30-year-old Mexican actor’s latest ensemble project Babylon, starring Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, will open in wide release in U.S. theaters on December 23.

Diego Calva, Babylon

The film was originally scheduled to open in limited release during the Christmas holiday, with its wide release on January 6.

Babylon will open in the wake of 20th Century Studios/Disney’s Avatar: The Way of Water on December 16 and will share the marquee nationwide with movies like Sony’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Universal/Dreamworks Animation’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the expansion of United Artists Releasing’s drama Women Talking.

Set in the 1920s, during Hollywood‘s transition from silent films to sound films, the film follows Manny Torres (Calva) as he pursues a career within the industry, starting as a film assistant.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film was shot in Santa Clarita, CA, where many silent and early sound movies were made, like Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times.

In addition to Calva, Robbie and Pitt, the ensemble cast also includes Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Max Minghella and Jean Smart.

Fede Alvarez to Direct Hulu’s Original “Alien” Film

Fede Alvarez has landed an out of this world project…

The 44-year-old Uruguayan filmmaker will write and direct an original Alien film for 20th Century Studios.

Fede Alvarez The Don’t Breathe filmmaker will direct the film for Hulu as part of studios deal to provide 10 films a year to the Disney-owned OTT service.

Alvarez’s pitch is reportedly completely separate from the previous films, according to Deadline.

Ridley Scott, who directed the 1979 original and two millennial editions, will produce through his Scott Free banner.

The new Alien film also will be distinct from Noah Hawley’s FX TV series, which network boss John Landgraf has said won’t feature Sigourney Weaver’s alien hunter Ripley.

“Alien takes place before Ripley. It’s the first story that takes place in the Alien franchise on Earth,” said Landgraf about the series. “So, it takes place on our planet. Right near the end of this century we’re in — so 70-odd years from now.”

Despite five scripts already being in for Alien, and Fargo only one, Hawley will shoot the latter series first as it needs to go into production this winter given its Midwest setting.

Danny Ramirez to Star in A24’s “The Stars at Noon”

Danny Ramirez is seeing stars

The 29-year-old Colombian and Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Claire Denis’ next film at A24The Stars at Noon.

Danny Ramirez Ramirez will star opposite Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn in the film.

Based on the novel by Denis Johnson, the story is set in 1984 during the Nicaraguan Revolution and follows a mysterious English businessman and headstrong American journalist who strike up a passionate romance. They soon become embroiled in a dangerous labyrinth of lies and conspiracies and are forced to try and escape the country, with only each other to trust and rely on.

Denis will direct and also adapted the script with Lea Mysius and Andrew Litvack. RT Features and Curiosa Films are producing the film, which was originally announced during AFM 2020.

Ramirez is fresh off the success of the Disney+ Marvel series, The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, where he co-starred opposite Anthony Mackie, playing Marvel character, Joaquin Torres.

The actor will next appear opposite Tom Cruise in Paramount’s highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick.

Ramirez recently completed production on the 20th Century Studios for Hulu suspense/thriller, No Exit and also has the Netflix’s dual-timeline drama Plus/Minus opposite Lili Reinhart.

Ana de Armas’ “Deep Water” to Open on Hulu in the United States

Ana de Armas will be heading into deep waters on Hulu

The Adrian Lyne-directed erotic thriller Deep Water, starring the 33-year-old Spanish Cuban actress and Ben Affleck, will open domestically on Hulu, according to Deadline.com.

Ana de Armas

 

Amazon will stream the film overseas.

The 20th Century Studios/New Regency film was pulled from the Disney theatrical release calendar last week. It was originally set to hit theaters on Jan. 14, 2022.

No word yet on a streaming date.

Deep Water, based on the Patricia Highsmith novel, reps Lyne’s first directorial since 2002’s Unfaithful. 

He was Oscar nominated in 1988 for Best Director for Paramount’s Fatal Attraction starring Glenn Close and Michael Douglas, which was a huge hit at the time grossing over $320M WW.

Deep Water is reportedly being sent to streaming given the weak theatrical marketplace for adult fare currently.

Affleck and de Armas star as Vic and Melinda Van Allen, a married couple whose mind games with each other take a twisted turn when people around them start turning up dead. The couple staves off divorce in a loveless marriage by allowing each to take lovers, but it becomes messy as Highsmith exposed the surface façade of American suburban life.

Zach Helm and Sam Levinson adapted the book. Tracy Letts, Rachel Blanchard, Dash Mihok, Lil Rel Howery, Jacob Elordi, Kristen Connolly and Jade Fernandez also star.

Danny Ramirez to Star in the Thriller “No Exit”

There’s no exit for Danny Ramirez.

The 28-year-old Colombian and Mexican American actor will star in No Exit, a thriller for 20th Century Studios.

Danny Ramirez

Directed by Damien Power, the film will also star Havana Rose Liu and Dennis Haysbert.

David Rysdahl, Dale Dickey and Mila Harris are also starring in the thriller, which just wrapped production in New Zealand.

Scott Frank is producing the film that will stream in 2022 as a Disney direct-to-consumer original feature on Hulu in the U.S. and internationally on Disney+ as a Star feature.

Written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, the script tells of a young woman (Liu) stuck with a group of people at a mountain rest stop during a blizzard. Things take a turn for the dangerous when the young woman discovers a kidnapped child in a car belonging to one of the people inside, setting in motion a terrifying life-or-death struggle to discover who among them is the kidnapper.

Best known for his role in The Gifted, he has also starred in the series On My Block and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He will be in the upcoming movie Top Gun: Maverick.