Angelique Cabral Added to Voice Cast of Disney Animation’s Feature Film “Wish”

Angelique Cabral’s wish has come true…

The 44-year-old part-Mexican American actress will star in the Disney Animation feature Wish.

Angelique CabralShe’ll voice Queen Amaya opposite Chris Pine, who stars as King Magnifico, ruler of the magical kingdom of Rosas, where wishes really do come true.

Wish follows Asha (Oscar winner Ariana DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist who makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force: a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star set out to prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Alan Tudyk also stars as a talking goat, Valentino Hall.

The film opens in theaters on November 22.

Oscar-winning director Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn are directors, with Peter Del Vecho producing and Juan Pablo Reyes co-producing. Allison Moore is also a co-writer.

Original songs are by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer-songwriter-musician Benjamin Rice, with a score by Dave Metzger.

Cabral most recently recurred on Season 3 of ABC’s Big Sky in the role of Carla. Her other notable television credits include Fox’s Enlisted, CBS’ Life in Pieces and Prime Video’s Undone.

Her film credits include 2011’s The Perfect Family alongside Kathleen Turner and Emily DeschanelFriends with Benefits that same year opposite Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake; 2017’s Band Aid; and All About Nina in 2018. In 2021, she starred in How It Ends written, directed and produced by Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones.

Disney Animation Releases First Trailer for Ariana DeBose’s “Wish”

Ariana DeBose is looking to the stars…

Disney has dropped the first trailer for Wish, the Disney Animation film, featuring the 32-year-old Afro-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress voicing the lead role.

Ariana DeBose“Imagine a place where wishes come true,” starts the trailer, which introduces 17-year-old Asha, played by DeBose, the powerful King Magnifico (Chris Pine), Asha’s pet goat Valentino (Alan Tudyk), and Star, a celestial ball of boundless energy that Asha’s wish calls down from the sky.

It also features DeBose’s princess belting out a powerful anthem, “So I Made This Wish” as she swirls around underneath a starry sky. It’s one of several new songs written by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice for the film.

The film is set in Rosas, a fantastical land located off the Iberian Peninsula. “Our heroine, Asha, lives in Rosas, known as the kingdom of wishes,” said director Chris Buck, who helms the film with Fawn Veerasunthorn. “People come from everywhere to give their wishes to a magical king who promises to grant their deepest desires—someday. Only he can decide which wishes will come true and when.”

Added Veerasunthorn, “We have been inspired by so many iconic films over Disney Animation’s 100 years, especially stories where we explore the power of someone with a wish, combined with the conviction to make that wish come true. Being able to honor that legacy with this incredible story and these amazing characters has been a joy for our entire team.”

In Wish, Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

The film is produced by Peter Del Vecho and co-produced by Juan Pablo Reyes. Jennifer Lee executive produces and serves as writer with Allison Moore. The score is composed by Dave Metzger.

Wish debuts in theaters on November 22.

Paramount Releases Super Bowl Commercial Trailer for Michelle Rodriguez-Starrer “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”

Michelle Rodriguez is thieving with honor

Paramount has revealed its 30-second Super Bowl commercial trailer for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, starring the 44-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress.

Michelle RodriguezThe action comedy, an adaptation of the iconic Hasbro role-playing game, will hit theaters on March 31.

In addition to Rodriguez, the film also stars Chris Pine, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head and Hugh Grant.

The film centers on a band of unlikely adventurers who undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic. Things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley directed the script they wrote with Michael Gilio.

The Super Bowl ad treatment is the latest big push for the D&D movie, after the Paramount and eOne pic was slotted into the opening-night position at SXSW, where it will mark its world premiere March 10.

When the first trailer premiered at Comic-Con last summer, Grant noted the film has “a Monty Python sensibility.” More is expected of it for sure than a 2000 movie take on the game, with Goldstein saying “there are characters from the Lore as well which will provide a runway into multiple films.”

Fox’s coverage of the Super Bowl on Sunday begins at 10:00 am PT/1 pm ET, with kickoff at 3:30 pm PT/6:30 pm ET.

JD Pardo to Star in Robert Rodriguez’s Action-Thriller “Hypnotic”

It’s a hypnotic time for JD Pardo

The 41-year-old Argentine Salvadoran American actor will star in Robert Rodriguez’s action-thriller Hypnotic, alongside Ben Affleck, Alice BragaDayo OkeniyiWilliam Fichtner and Hala Finley.

JD Pardo,

Currently filming in Texas, Hypnotic follows a detective (Affleck) who becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter (Finley) and a secret government program – while investigating a string of impossible high-end crimes.

Rodriguez and Max Borenstein wrote the film.

Pardo recently had a cameo as character Jack Toretto in Universal’s blockbuster hit F9: The Fast Saga and he’ll next be seen in STX’s Violence of Action alongside Chris Pine and Ben Foster.

He recently wrapped work on Amazon’s conspiracy-thriller series The Terminal List opposite Chris Pratt. Earlier this week he was awarded the Imagen Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of EZ Reyes in FX’s hit show Mayans M.C. which has been picked up for a fourth season.

JD Pardo to Appear on Amazon’s Conspiracy-Thriller Series “The Terminal List”

JD Pardo is officially on the list

The 40-year-old Salvadoran and Argentinian-American actor will star alongside Chris Pratt in Amazon’s conspiracy-thriller series The Terminal Listbased on Jack Carr’s bestselling novel, in a key recurring role.

JD Pardo,

Constance Wu, Riley Keough, Taylor Kitsch and Jeanne Tripplehorn also star in the series, which Pratt executive produces along with Antoine Fuqua, who directs, and writer David DiGilio.

The Terminal List is a co-production from Amazon Studios and Civic Center Media in association with MRC Television.

Written by DiGilio, The Terminal List follows James Reece (Pratt) after his entire platoon of Navy SEALs is ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. Reece returns home to his family with conflicting memories of the event and questions about his culpability. However, as new evidence comes to light, Reece discovers dark forces working against him, endangering not only his life but the lives of those he loves.

Pardo will play Tony Liddel, one of the youngest leaders of an FBI Task Force, he leads his team with veracity and stalwart determination. He’s hell-bent on finding his fugitive and is merciless when it comes to bringing justice to bear. But while his work is simple, his home-life is complicated, and his family is what motivates him to make the world a better, safer place.

Pardo currently stars as EZ Reyes in FX’s Mayans M.C., which was recently picked up for a fourth season ahead of its third season finale.

He’ll next be seen in Thunder Road and 30West’s thriller Violence of Action alongside Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Gillian Jacobs.

Michelle Rodriguez to Star in Film Adaptation of Hasbro’s “Dungeons & Dragons” Game

Michelle Rodriguez is ready to battle monsters, solve puzzles and reap rewards…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican & Dominican American actress will star alongside Chris Pine and Justice Smith in the film adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons, Hasbro’s popular game franchise from Wizards of the Coast.

Michelle Rodriguez

Hasbro/eOne and Paramount are jointly producing and financing the film, with eOne distributing in the UK and Canada and Paramount in the rest of world.

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley will direct and write the script based on a draft by Michael Gilio.

Plot details behind this latest take on the IP are being kept under wraps. Dungeons & Dragons is a leading fantasy entertainment franchise, fueled by the imagination of storytellers around the world. More than 40 million fans have interacted with or played D&D since it was first published 46 years ago, including via video games and livestream entertainment on Twitch and YouTube.

Rodriguez is best known for her role of Letty in the long running Fast & Furious franchise. She reprises the role in the next installment F9, which bows later this year.

Quibi to Stream All-Star Remake of “The Princess Bride” Featuring Jenna Ortega

It’s a royal moment for Jenna Ortega

Starting Monday, Quibi will stream an all-star remake of The Princess Bride filmed by actors at home while in quarantine, including the 17-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress.

Jenna Ortega

In addition to Ortega, the re-creation will feature an A-list cast that includes couples Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner,Common and Tiffany HaddishNeil Patrick Harris and David Burtka and Chris Pine and Annabelle Wallis, along with Hugh JackmanJennifer GarnerElijah Wood, Jon HammBeanie FeldsteinLucas HedgesJack BlackDavid OyelowoKeegan-Michael KeyPatton OswaltJosh GadAndy SerkisDiego LunaTaika Waititi and Zazie Beetz and more.

Directed by Jason Reitman, the project will see Common playing the heroic Westley (originated by Cary Elwes), Haddish as Princess Buttercup (first played by Robin Wright), and Jackman as the villainous Humperdinck, to name a few.

The Princess Bride’s director, Rob Reiner, will also appear in the remake, along with Fred Savage, who reprises his role as the grandson in the film.

Beginning June 29, Quibi will release chapters of the made-at-home movie daily for two weeks.

The remake also is aiding a good cause. As part of the project, Quibi has donated $1 million to chef José Andrés’ charity World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to those who have been most affected by the coronaviruspandemic.

The remake of The Princess Bridewas first reported by Vanity Fair.

Ricky Martin Among the Presenters for This Year’s SAG Awards

Life’s a SAGfor Ricky Martin… 

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican singer and actor has been added to the list of presenters for Sunday’s SAG Awards at the Beverly Hilton.

Ricky Martin

He’s part of a second group of presenters that includes AwkafinaAlex BaldwinMatt BomerLaverne Cox, Richard MaddenTracy MorganChris Pineand Keri Russell.

Previously announced presenters include the top stars from five of this awards season’s biggest movies, who will introduce clips from their films that are nominated for the marquee Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picturetrophy.

They are:

A Star is Born
Bradley Cooper
Sam Elliott
Lady Gaga

Black Panther
Angela Bassett
Chadwick Boseman

BlackKklansman
Adam Driver
John David Washington

Bohemian Rhapsody
Ben Hardy
Gwilym Lee
Rami Malek
Joe Mazzello

Crazy Rich Asians
Henry Golding
Ken Jeong
Constance Wu
Michelle Yeoh

Megan Mullally will host the silver anniversary SAG Awards ceremony, which will air live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditoriumon TNT and TBSstarting at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday. 

Ortiz Lands Roles in “Going In Style” and “A Dog’s Purpose”

John Ortiz is ending the year with a bang, landing back-to-back film roles…

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican actor, director and producer will first star in New Line Cinema’s upcoming comedy Going In Style, directed by Zach Braff from a script by Theodore Melfi.

John Ortiz

Ortiz will portray “Jesus,” a Mensa smart criminal who is socially responsible and deplores society’s treatment of the elderly.

He joins Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin, along with Ann-Margret, Peter Serafinowicz, Joey King and Christopher Lloyd, in the remake of the 1979 classic.

Ortiz will then follow up that film with the live action DreamWorks feature A Dog’s Purpose, based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron.

The film is a series of vignettes directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Bradley Cooper (as the voice of the dog), along with Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, Juliet Rylance and Peggy Lipton.

Ortiz stars in his segment as “Carlos”, a stern, all business cop who trains his dog to assist him in solving crime.

Ortiz can next be seen in Disney’s The Finest Hours, starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, and directed by Craig Gillespie, as well as Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs.

He recently wrapped the indie A Woman, A Part starring opposite Maggie Siff and directed by Elisabeth Subrin.

Ortiz to Star in Universal Pictures’ Steve Jobs Biopic

John Ortiz has landed a new Job

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican actor, director and producer has been cast in Universal PicturesSteve Jobs film, which kicked off production last month in San Francisco.

John Ortiz

Ortiz, who stars in Michael Mann’s Blackhat, will play Joel Pforzheimer, the GQ magazine journalist who is seen interviewing Jobs (Michael Fassbender) throughout the Aaron Sorkin-penned film.

Danny Boyle is directing and Uni, which picked up the project from Sony Pictures, said it plans to release the film on October 9.

Ortiz, who recurs on HBO’s comedy Togetherness and just wrapped Disney’s The Finest Hours opposite Chris Pine.