Documentary on the Life of Danny Trejo to be Released in the UK

Danny Trejo’s life story is headed overseas…

The 75-year-old Mexican American actor’s journey from a life of crime to a life in the movies is being told in a new documentary feature. And, now the film has landed on a UK release date.

Danny Trejo

Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo tells the story of how Trejo went from a life of crime – and his time in prison – to getting his acting break and how his career evolved from there. 

The film has been directed by Brett Harvey, and includes contributions from Trejo himself, Robert RodriguezMichelle RodriguezCheech Marinand Danielle Trejo.

The film has been picked up by Universalin the UK, which will be releasing it on digital download from June 22nd. No word yet on whether a DVD and Blu-ray release will follow.

Here’s the official synopsis:

From an early life of drugs, armed robbery and hard prison time, to the red carpets of Hollywood blockbusters and helping troubled addicts, this is the story of one of the most inspirational transformations of human character ever put to film. With a host of celebrity interviews, never-before-seen footage and personal testimony from Danny and his closest family and friends, audiences will witness the birth of aHollywoodicon who became a symbol of hope to people around the world. To this day, Danny continues to council recovering addicts and speak at state prisons. After 46 years of sobriety, he never forgets his roots and pays forward that which has been bestowed on him.

Anthony Gonzalez’s Disney-Pixar Film “Coco” Wins Thanksgiving Holiday Box Office

He’s nowhere near voting age, but Anthony Gonzalez is beating superheroes at the box office…

The 13-year-old Latino actor voices the character of Miguel, a young Mexican boy with musical dreams who has a wondrous adventure in the Land of the Dead in DisneyPixar’s animated film Coco, which won the Thanksgiving holiday box office.

Anthony Gonzalez

Gonzalez’s Coco earned $71.2 million at 3,987 North American sites during the Wednesday-Sunday period, while Warner Bros.DC Entertainment’s Justice League pulled in $60 million at 4,051 locations during the same timeframe in its second weekend in theaters.

Coco posted for the fourth-best Thanksgiving holiday opening ever, trailing three other Disney titles — Frozen with $93 million in 2013, Moana with $82 million in 2017 and Toy Story 3 with $80 million in 2010.

Audiences surveyed by comScore’s PostTrak gave Coco strong ratings with 66% calling it “excellent,” and another 23% rating it “very good.”  Surveys also showed 77% of viewers saying they would “definitely recommend” the movie to friends and 20% saying they would watch it again in a theater.

Coco

Coco, directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina, is based on the traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico and centers on a 12-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a musician and explores his family history in the Land of the Dead. The studio hasn’t released a price for the movie. Disney-Pixar titles are usually budgeted in the $175 million to $200 million range.

In addition to Gonzalez, in his breakout role, Coco’s ensemble voice cast includes Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Renee Victor, Edward James Olmos, Ana Ofelia Murguia, Jaime Camil, Sofia Espinosa, Gabriel Iglesias, Cheech Marin and Lombardo Boyar.

The holiday weekend is one of the busiest moviegoing periods of the year. According to comScore, this year’s five-day Thanksgiving weekend saw total grosses his $268 million — $7.5 million better than last year’s when Moana opened with $82 million, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them taking in $65 million in its second weekend.

The strong holiday performance left the 2017 overall domestic total at $9.71 billion, or 4% behind the same point last year, according to comScore. The industry fell behind last year’s record-setting total due to downbeat performances in August and October — so much so that the much-anticipated Dec. 15 opening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi will probably not be enough to pulled this year even.

NBC Developing Comedy Starring Marin, Paul Rodriguez & Paul Rodriguez Jr.

Cheech Marin may be returning to television in the near future…

NBC is developing a single-camera comedy starring and executive produced by the 70-year-old comedian, actor, voice actor and writer; stand-up comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez; and his son, professional skateboarder/actor Paul Rodriguez Jr.

Cheech Marin

From Universal Television, the untitled project is written/executive produced by Steve & Jim Armogida, creators/executive producers of Nickelodeon’s School of Rock television series.

It’s described as an irreverent single-camera comedy about being Latino in today’s America as seen through the different perspectives of three generations of Latino males – a grandfather, father, and son – Cheech (Marin), Paul (Rodriguez), and Paulie (Rodriguez Jr.)

This has been a passion project for Paul Rodriguez, who has long ties with Marin, going back to the 1980s when Rodriguez starred opposite Marin in Marin’s 1987 movie Born In East LA. They again played family members, cousins.

The trio last year shot a sizzle reel for the comedy series project, which came close to landing at ABC.

Jennifer Lopez & Shakira Among the Featured Artists in HBO’s Latin Music-Themed Doc “The Latin Explosion: A New America”

Ready to get a history lesson in Latin music movement in the United States? Then don’t miss a special documentary from HBO.

HBO’s documentary film The Latin Explosion: A New America will debut Monday, November 16 on HBO and HBO Latino and simulcast in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Jennifer Lopez & Shakira

Created and executive produced by music mogul Tommy Mottola, The Latin Explosion: A New America celebrates the artists and visionaries who have exploded onto the U.S. music scene and gone on to become global superstars, from Desi Arnaz to Romeo Santos.

The film shows how those acts have influenced every aspect of American society, from culture to politics to the economy.

The film ranges from the cha-cha and mambo crazes of the ‘50s, with Arnaz and Rita Moreno, and the edgier ‘60s, reflected by Carlos Santana and Jose Feliciano, to the exciting new sound of salsa in the ‘70s and the emergence of superstars Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan in the ‘80s.

The film also spotlights the Latino boom of the late ‘90s, led by Ricky Martin, Shakira, Mark Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, and today’s hottest stars, Pitbull and Santos.

Some of the featured artists discuss how their crossover hits have played a role in defining the American experience, setting the stage for today’s Latin Explosion.

Other artists featured include Eva Longoria, George Lopez, Los Lobos, Cheech Marin, Thalía and Sofía Vergara. John Leguizamo is the narrator.

“We have assembled the largest array of Latino superstars ever in a film telling a powerful story of their history and immigration, politics, and rise from a small minority population to the most critical demographic in the United States,” comments Mottola.

The Latin Explosion: A New America is directed and produced by Matthew O’Neill and Jon Alpert.

Trailer Released for Saldaña’s CGI Romantic Comedy “The Book of Life”

It’s the Day of (the Dead) reckoningfor Zoe Saldaña

The first trailer for 20th Century Fox and Reel FX’s The Book of Life, featuring the voice of the 35-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress, has been released.

The Book of Life

Saldaña voice the character of Maria in the Guillermo del Toro-produced film, which isdescribed as the journey of Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna), a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds, where he must face his greatest fears.

In addition to Saldaña and Luna, the voice cast also includesKate del Castillo as La Muerte, Cheech Marin, Héctor Elizondo, Plácido Domingo, Ana de la Reguera, Eugenio Derbez and Danny Trejo.

The CGI romantic comedy, which is set during the Mexican holiday of the Day of the Dead, is directed by El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera creator Jorge Gutierrez. It was co-written by Gutierrez and Disney veteran Doug Langdale.

The Book of Life is scheduled to hit theaters on October 17.

del Castillo Lending Voice to Animated Film “El Americano 3D”

Kate del Castillo is about to get animated…

The 41-year-old Mexican actress and former telenovela star has joined the voice cast of El Americano 3D, which is being billed as the first major U.S.-Mexican animated co-production.

Screen Shot 2014-05-23 at 3.08.28 PM

The film will be released in the first quarter of 2015, according to Variety.

Former Friends star Lisa Kudrow heads the ensemble voice cast that also includes Modern Family star Rico Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Erik Estrada and Mexican-American actor and director Edward James Olmos, who also serves as a co-producer.

El Americano is the fourth film – and first CGI movie – made at the Animex Producciones animated studio in Puebla, Mexico. Burbank, California-based Olmos Productions also has co-production credits.

The film will premiere in both Mexico and the United States in the first three months of 2015, including an initial 1,200-screen U.S. theatrical release.

Deals also have been reached at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival to distribute the film in Russia and in Asian countries.

Variety describes the movie as a “revisionist take on the U.S. as a country of role models for young Mexicans.”

The film “makes us realize that the answers to our struggles are right there in our own hearts,” Olmos was quoted as saying.

It tells the story of Cuco, a young Mexican parrot who embarks on an epic quest to persuade an American crime-fighting TV celebrity to help defend his family from bullies, the magazine said.

Cuco learns, however, that he can become a hero without anyone else’s help.

Saldaña Joins the Voice Cast of Guillermo del Toro’s Animated Film “Book of Life”

Zoë Saldaña will be sharing the Book of Life with moviegoers…

The 35-year-old Dominican and Cuban American actress has joined the voice cast of 20th Century Fox Animation‘s Book of Life, which is being produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by Mexican animator and filmmaker Jorge R. Gutierrez.

Zoe Saldana

Originally titled Day of the Dead, after the famous Mexican celebration, the movie’s title is now Book of Life.

Guiterrez’s credits include Nickelodeon‘s award-winning animated television series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera.

Along with Saldaña, the voice cast includes Channing Tatum, Diego Luna, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Kate del Castillo and Ron Perlman, along with Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo, Placido Domingo, Ana de la Reguera (Nacho Libre, Eastbound and Down), Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (Stand-up Revolution) and Danny Trejo.

Fox will open the film in October 2014.

Hayek Executive-Producing “The Cisco Kid” Reboot for CBS

Salma Hayek is looking to bring an iconic Latino character back to television…

CBS has put in development The Cisco Kid – a reimagining of the half-hour Western television series starring Duncan Renaldo in the title role – with the 46-year-old Mexican actress, director and producer and X-Men’s Lauren Shuler Donner executive producing the project.

Salma Hayek

The Cisco Kid, written by Diego Gutierrez, is being hailed as a modern day retelling of the classic story of a handsome outlaw and his faithful sidekick similar to Lethal Weapon. It follows Cisco as he returns to Los Angeles after serving several tours as a Marine in Afghanistan.

After witnessing the murder of his father, Cisco and his best friend/fellow Marine, Sam, team up to solve the case and subsequently find themselves doing what the authorities can’t — defending the city’s oppressed and disenfranchised.

The Cisco Kid

First introduced in O. Henry’s 1907 short story The Caballero’s Way, the Cisco Kid became a fixture of 20th century pop culture — a rare achievement for a Latino character. The character went on to headline more than a dozen movies, beginning with the 1914 silent film The Caballero’s Way and most recently a 1994 TV movie starring Jimmy Smits as Cisco and Cheech Marin as his sidekick Pancho. The role won an Academy Award for Warner Baxter, who played Cisco in several movies. The Cisco character also spawned radio shows, comic books as well as an oft-covered song by War. On television, The Cisco Kid syndicated series starring Renaldo ran from 1950-56.

In its quest to create Latino-themed projects, CBS – the network behind the drama series Cane and comedy Rob, decided to place its bets on this fourth high-profile reboot at the network this season. CBS also has reboots of Beverly Hills Cop from Shawn Ryan and Eddie Murphy, the Vince Vaughn-produced The Brady Bunch, and Have Gun, Will Travel from David Mamet.

Hayek’s production company Ventanarosa co-produced the ABC dramedy Ugly Betty as part of its goal to develop, produce and acquire mainstream projects that either draw on Latin themes or feature Latin talent, both in front of and behind the camera. In features, the company has produced films like Frida. In addition, she’s developing The Prophet, an animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s book, which has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.

Cheech Marin to Perform at Insane Clown Posse’s Festival

Cheech Marin is about to get his laugh on…

The 66-year-old Mexican American actor/comedian—who gained acclaim as part of the Grammy-winning comedy duo Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s—will reunite with his comedy partner Tommy Chong to perform at Insane Clown Posse‘s 13th annual Gathering of the Juggalos, taking place August 8-12 at Cave-In-Rock, Illinois.

Cheech Marin

The Detroit rap duo announced the festival lineup with a highly produced 23-minute video on its official web site, portraying the festival as a Walking Dead-style refuge from a zombie infestation that’s taken over the world.

The clip highlights not only the musical performers, but also additional attractions like an expanded comedy tent — headlined by Cheech & Chong with Ralphie May, Jamie Kennedy, Bobcat Goldthwait and others.

In addition to his comedy work with Chong, Marin starred on television as Don Johnson‘s partner on Nash Bridges and as Hurley’s dad on Lost. He has also voiced characters in several Disney productions, including The Lion King, Cars, Cars 2 and Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

Information on the festival and how to get tickets can be found at www.juggalogathering.com.

Thalia Lending Her Voice to Latest Dora the Explorer Special

Call it Thalia’s big adventure…

The 40-year-old Mexican singer/actress will be lending her voice to an upcoming television special featuring characters from Dora the Explorer.

Thalia

Thalia will provide the voice of the mermaid’s mother in Nickelodeon’s Dora’s Rescue in Mermaid Kingdom, set to air Friday night.

The story centers on the efforts of Dora and Boots to help Maribel—a lost mermaid they encounter on the beach—get back to her mother in the Mermaid Kingdom.

“Dora is such an iconic and important Latina heroine, and I’m proud to now be a part of the show’s ever-growing legacy,” says Thalia, a mother of two. ““I was thrilled to play a role on Dora the Explorer, a show that has touched the lives of many children around the world including my own child.”

Dora, now voiced by 7-year-old Fatima Ptacek, is a 7-year-old bilingual Latina who explores an “imaginative, tropical world filled with jungles, beaches and rainforests.”

In its more than 10 year history on the air, the Emmy-winning show has featured guests like John Leguizamo, Cheech Marin, Ricardo Montalban, Esai Morales and Chita Rivera.