Roadside Attractions Acquires U.S. Rights to Diego Calva’s New Thriller “Dreamer”

Diego Calva’s dream(er) project will be hitting U.S. theaters…

Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. rights to Dreamer, a thriller starring the 31-year-old Mexican Golden Globe-nominated actor.

Diego CalvaExecutive-produced by Oscar nominee Yalitza Aparicio, the film examines enslaved child labor in the U.S.

Inspired by a landmark sweatshop case in El Monte, CA, the film marks the feature directorial debut of veteran producer Mohit Ramchandani.

It will bow exclusively in theaters nationwide on April 5, 2024.

Newcomer Ari Lopez leads an ensemble that also includes Alfredo Castro, Paulina Gaitan, Calva and Renata Vaca.

The story follows Jesús (Lopez), a young farmer in rural Mexico who dreams of playing for Club Puebla, his local soccer team. With the promise of training at a soccer camp in Los Angeles, Jesús is convinced by his father to leave home, but he soon discovers that he’s been sold to a sweatshop run out of a decrepit mansion in downtown Los Angeles. Jesús is then subjected to the grueling 18-hour work schedule dictated by El Jefe (Castro), a boss who promises freedom for those who complete their quotas, and whose brutality is motivated by his own desperation to provide for his family back in Mexico. Despite all, Jesús finds solace in Elena (Vaca), a girl who was similarly betrayed and sent to America under the guise of attending a fashion school. When Elena goes missing and another co-worker, Carlitos (Calva), is severely beaten for confronting El Jefe, Jesús realizes his only way out is a daring escape.

Ramchandani directed from his own script, with the film being produced and financed by Rufus Parker of P2 Films, Jon Graham and Matt Diezel. Ramchandani also served as producer. In addition to Aparicio, EPs included Luis Mandoki and Daljit DJ Parmar of Original Entertainment.

Dreamer has garnered praise from L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ Office, the Los Angeles Civil Rights Department, and former Department of State Chief of Staff Mark J Biedlingmaier, who stated: “It is one of the most emotionally engaging films I have ever seen. I’m excited to share this film with my colleagues in Washington, given this topic touches every single American today.”

Ramchandani underscored that “Dreamer has no political bias or agenda. It merely shows you, from the point of view of a young boy, what it would be like to have your dreams stolen and replaced with the hellish nightmare of slavery. His story is only one of over 2.8 million undocumented migrants that crossed the border in 2023 and whose forced labor is an unforgiveable stain on countless corporate products.”

Added Roadside Attractions Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff, “Directorial debuts don’t get any more exciting than this. Mo takes us into a world that we can barely imagine, yet he convinces us it exists right under our noses. The visceral energy of Jesús’ journey is something filmgoers will not soon forget.”

Jacob Elordi to Star in Ley Line Entertainment & FirstGen Content’s “On Swift Horses”

Jacob Elordi is horsin’ around…

The 25-year-old Spanish-Australian actor and Euphoria star will star in Ley Line Entertainment and FirstGen Content have set an all-star ensemble for its co-production of On Swift Horses.

Jacob Elordi,Elordi will star opposite Daisy Edgar-JonesWill Poulter, Diego Calva and Sasha Calle in the film.

Daniel Minahan will direct with Peter Spears and FirstGen’s Mollye Asher producing.

Based on the novel by Shannon Pufahl, the story follows newlyweds Muriel and Lee who are beginning a bright new life when he returns from the Korean War. However, this newfound stability is upended by the arrival of Lee’s charismatic younger brother, Julius, a wayward gambler with a secret. A dangerous love triangle is quickly formed, as the three vow to start a new life together in California, but their bid for the American Dream is blown apart when Julius disappears and heads for Las Vegas instead. Muriel embarks on a secret life of her own, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible.

Ley Line and FirstGen are financing alongside Wavelength.

The project has begun filming in Los Angeles.

Jenna Ortega to Serve as Presenter at This Weekend’s SAG Awards Ceremony

Win or lose, Jenna Ortega will take the SAG Awards stage…

The Screen Actors Guild has announced the latest group of presenters for Sunday’s SAG Awards ceremony, with the 20-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress set to participate.

Jenna OrtegaOrtega is nominated in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series category for her starring role in Netflix’s acclaimed series Wednesdaywhich has been renewed for a second season.

In addition to Ortega, the list of recently added presenters includes Jason Bateman, Jeff Bridges, Aubrey PlazaAdam Scott, Zendaya, SAG-AFTRA president Fran DrescherMatt Bomer, Ariana DeBose, Eugene Levy and Amy Poehler.

Previously announced presenters for the 29th annual ceremony include Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jovan Adepo, Diego Calva and Li Jun Li.

The SAG Awards are set for Sunday, February 28, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The ceremony, featuring the winners in the guild’s 15 acting categories, will stream live on Netflix’s YouTube channel.

Diego Calva to Serve as Presenter at This Weekend’s SAG Awards Show

Diego Calva is heading to this weekend’s SAG Awards

The 30-year-old Mexican actor, the star of Babylon, will serve as a president at the 29th annual ceremony this weekend.

Diego CalvaCalva is among the second round of presenters that includes Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh from Everything Everywhere All at OnceThe Banshees of Inisherin stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson; Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle and Michelle Williams of The FabelmansWomen Talking’s Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy and Rooney Mara; and Calva’s Babylon co-stars Jovan Adepo and Li Jun Li.

The first batch of presenters included Andrew GarfieldEmily BluntJessica ChastainDon CheadleCaleb McLaughlinPaul Mescal and Ashley Park.

The 29th annual gala is set for Sunday, February 28, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

The ceremony, featuring the winners in the guild’s 15 acting categories, will stream live on Netflix’s YouTube channel.

Calva is nominated in the marquee ensemble film award category alongside his Babylon cast mates. It’s his first SAG Awards nomination.

Jenna Ortega Earns First SAG Awards Nomination for Netflix’s “Wednesday”

Jenna Ortega is celebrating another first…

The Screen Actors Guild has revealed the nominees for this year’s SAG Awards, with the 20-year-old Mexican and Puerto Rican actress – a first-time Golden Globe nominee this year – earning her first nod.

Jenna Ortega, WednesdayOrtega is nominated in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series category for her starring role in Netflix’s acclaimed series Wednesday, which has been renewed for a second season.

Ana de Armas is also a first-time SAG Awards nominee…

The 34-year-old Cuban and Spanish actress is nominated in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role category for her starring turn as Marilyn Role in Netflix’s Blonde.

Diego Calva has picked up his first SAG Awards nod.

The 30-year-old Mexican actor, the breakout star of Babylon, and co-stars are nominated in the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture category.

Nelson Bonilla, Alfonso Herrera, Felix Solis and their Ozark co-stars are nominated in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series category.

It’s Solis’ second SAG Awards nomination for Ozark and the first for Bonilla and Herrera.

Aubrey Plaza has picked up her first SAG Awards nod.

The 38-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and her The White Lotus co-stars are nominated in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series category.

Liza Colon-Zayas is celebrating her first SAG Awards nod.

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actress and her The Bear costars are nominated in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series category.

Selena Gomez is a second-time SAG Awards nominee…

For the second year in a row, the 30-year-old Mexican American actress/singer and her Only Murders in the Building costars are nominated in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series category.

The SAG Awards will air on Netflix’s YouTube channel this year and then move to the streamer in 2024.

The ceremony will take place Sunday, February 26, at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

Here’s a complete look at the nominees:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Steve Carrell (“The Patient”)
Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
Sam Elliott (“1883”)
Paul Walter Hauser (“Black Bird”)
Evan Peters (“Dahmer”)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Emily Blunt (“The English”)
Jessica Chastain (“George and Tammy”)
Julia Garner (“Inventing Anna”)
Niecy Nash Betts (“Dahmer”)
Amanda Seyfried (“The Dropout”) 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
Bill Hader (“Barry”)
Steve Martin (“Only Murders in the Building”)
Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)
Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”) 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)
Jean Smart (“Hacks”) 

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
“Abbott Elementary”
“Barry”
“The Bear”
“Hacks”
“Only Murders in the Building” 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks (“Better Call Saul”)
Jason Bateman (“Ozark”)
Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)
Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
Adam Scott (“Severance”) 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
Julia Garner (“Ozark”)
Laura Linney (“Ozark”)
Zendaya (“Euphoria”) 

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
“Better Call Saul”
“The Crown”
“Ozark”
“Severance”
“The White Lotus”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”)
Hong Chau (“The Whale”)
Kerry Condon (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)
Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Paul Dano (“The Fabelmans”)
Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)
Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)
Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
Eddie Redmayne (“The Good Nurse”) 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett (Tár”)
Viola Davis (“The Woman King”)
Ana de Armas (“Blonde”)
Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”)
Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Austin Butler (“Elvis”)
Colin Farrell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”)
Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”)
Bill Nighy (“Living”)
Adam Sandler (“Hustle”) 

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
“Babylon”
“The Banshees of Inisherin”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
“The Fabelmans”
“Women Talking”

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
“The Batman”
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
“Top Gun: Maverick”
“The Woman King” 

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
“Andor”
“The Boys”
“House of the Dragon”
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”
“Stranger Things”

Paramount Releases New Trailer for “Babylon,” Starring Diego Calva

Diego Calva is searching for something bigger

Paramount has released a new trailer for Babylon, the Hollywood-set period extravaganza starring the 30-year-old Mexican actor.

Diego CalvaFrom filmmaker Damien Chazelle, the film will open in wide release on December 23rd.

Led by Brad PittMargot Robbie and Calva, the film is billed as an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles, as the industry makes the transition from silent films to talkies. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Robbie plays an ambitious up-and-comer who wants “everyone to party forever.” Pitt is wild mega-star Jack Conrad who proclaims, “You know what we have to do? We have to redefine the form, map those dreams and print them into history. Look up and say: Eureka! I am not alone” — this right before to falling ass-backwards off of a balcony.

Chazelle directs from his own script.

Cast also includes Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Jean Smart, P.J. Byrne, Lukas Haas, Olivia Hamilton, Tobey Maguire, Max Minghella, Rory Scovel, Katherine Waterston, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Samara Weaving and Olivia Wilde.

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.

Mario Casas to Star in Netflix’s Spanish-Language “Bird Box” Spin-Off

Mario Casas is being Box-ed in…

The 35-year-old Spanish actor will star in Netflix’s Spanish-language spin-off of its hit film Bird Box, which goes into production in November.

Mario CasasCasas will star opposite Georgina Campbell, Diego Calva, Alejandra Howard, Naila Schuberth, Patrick Criado and Celia Freijeiro in the Barcelona-set film, with Lola Dueñas, Gonzalo de Castro, Michelle Jenner and Leonardo Sbaraglia also appearing in the project.

Alex and David Pastor are writing and will direct the film, which will be an expansion of the Bird Box universe.

After a mysterious force decimates the world’s population by causing all who see it to take their lives, Sebastian and his young daughter Anna must navigate their own journey of survival through the desolate streets of Barcelona. But as they form an uneasy alliance with other survivors and make their way toward a safe haven, a threat more sinister than the unseen creatures grows.

The original film, directed by Susanne Bier and starring Sandra Bullock, attracted 89 million households over its first four weeks of release, which at the time made it the second biggest Netflix original movie.

Bird Box producers Dylan Clark and Chris Morgan are returning for the Spanish movie, alongside Adrián Guerra and Núria Valls for Nostromo Pictures.

“The original 2018 Bird Box continues to be one of the most popular films on Netflix and our new Spanish-language project presents an innovative way to expand the Bird Box universe. Alex and David Pastor presented an idea that will tell a broader story that we think that fans of the first film will enjoy,” said David Kosse, Netflix’s VP of Film for Netflix in EMEA.

“Our world has never been more interconnected. To explore the phenomenon that is Bird Box with David and Alex Pastor following people surviving in Barcelona is a timely opportunity to not only entertain but also show how dependent we all are to each other,” commented Dylan Clark.

Bird Box became a worldwide phenomenon for being an intensely emotional story of a mother and her children fighting to survive a terrifying apocalypse. In our new chapter, our incredible filmmakers Alex and David Pastor are boldly expanding Bird Box in a globally-connected way that only Netflix can deliver,” said Chris Morgan.

“The result is an intense, unexpected survival story with familial emotion and heart. I can’t wait for audiences around the world to see the surprising mysteries that unfold on the streets of Barcelona.”

Casas’ credits include Las brujas de Zugarramurdi, El Practicante and El Inocente.

Diego Calva to Star in Damien Chazelle’s Hollywood Period Feature “Babylon”

Diego Calva is heading to Babylon

The Mexican actor will join the ensemble cast of Damien Chazelle’s Hollywood period Paramount feature Babylon.

Diego Calva

Calva joins the previously announced cast, which includes Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jovan Adepo and Li Jun Li.

The project, which is set for a Christmas Day 2022 release and a January 6, 2023 expansion, is an R-rated drama, set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the industry turned from silent film to talkies.

In addition, Calva has signed with WME.

The Mexico City native has starred in the Netflix series Unstoppabland will appear in the upcoming season of the streamer’s Narcos: Mexico

He previously starred in I Promise You Anarchy, which was screened at the Contemporary World Cinema section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. The feature from Julio Hernández Cordón won several awards at festivals like Mix Brasil, Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Lisbon International Film Festival, Costa Rica International Film Festival with Calva receiving the Best Actor award at the Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana, Cuba.

Bad Bunny to Make Acting Debut on Season Three of Netflix’s “Narcos: Mexico”

Bad Bunny’s ready to make his acting debut…

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has joined the Season 3 cast of Netflix’s series Narcos: Mexico.

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny joins a roster of cast additions that includes Luis Gerardo Méndez, Alberto Guerra and Luisa Rubino.

Bad Bunny will guest star as Arturo “Kitty” Paez, a member of Ramon Arellano Felix’s gang called the “Narco Juniors” – rich, well connected kids from upper society who fell in with the cartel life for the money, drugs and violence.

Méndez will play Victor Tapia, a Juarez cop with a moral dilemma; despite his
misgivings over getting involved, he is drawn into the mystery of a series of brutal killings

Guerra is Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, an independent drug trafficker, whose unassuming manner belies the fact that he is quietly one step ahead of everyone else

Rubino will be Andrea Nuñez, a young idealistic and ambitious journalist, whose mission to expose corruption brings her an even bigger story than she anticipated

Additional new cast series regulars include: Alejandro Furth as Ramon Salgado, Lorenzo Ferro as Alex Hodoyan, José Zúñiga as General Rebollo, Diego Calva as Arturo Beltran Leyva, Kristen Lee Gutoskie as Dani, Beau Mirchoff as Steve Sheridan.

Additional new guest stars include: Yessica Borroto as Marta, Damayanti Quintanar as Hortencia, Manuel Uriza as Carlos Hank Gonzalez and Markin López as Rogelio

Returning regular cast members are Scoot McNairy, José María Yázpik, Alfonso Dosal, Mayra Hermosillo, Matt Letscher, Manuel Masalva, Alejandro Edda, Gorka Lasaosa. Returning guest star is Alberto Ammann.

Set in the 1990s, when the globalization of the drug business ignites, Season 3 examines the war that breaks out after Felix’s empire splinters. As newly independent cartels struggle to survive political upheaval and escalating violence, a new generation of Mexican kingpins emerge. But in this war, truth is the first casualty – and every arrest, murder and take-down only pushes real victory further away.

Directors are Andrés Baiz, Alejandra Márquez Abella, Luis Ortega, Amat Escalante and Wagner Moura. Production company is Gaumont.

A premiere date for Narcos: Mexico Season 3 has not been announced.