Esai Morales to Star in Sony Pictures’ “Superfly” Remake

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales’ career is soaring to new heights…

The 55-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star in the Director X-helmed Superfly remake from Sony Pictures, which will debut in theaters June 15.

Morales will portray play Adalberto.

The Alex Tse-penned script is based on the 1972 original blaxploitation crime drama, which followed an African American cocaine dealer who tries to secure one more deal before getting out of the business.

Morales joins a cast that includes Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Lex Scott Davis, Andrea Londo, Jacob Ming-Trent, Omar Chapparo, and Allen Maldonado.

Joel Silver is producing the film with rap star Future, who is also putting together the film’s soundtrack.

Morales, who currently stars on ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder, rose to acclaim in the Richie Valens biopic La Bamba. He’s also appeared in PBS’ American Family, Showtime’s Resurrection Blvd., NYPD Blue and Caprica.

Esai Morales to Star in National Geographic’s Sci-Fi Series “Mars”

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales has landed an out-of-this-world role…

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican actor has joined the cast for season two of National Geographic global sci-fi series Mars, from Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment and Radical Media.

Shooting began this week in Budapest on the six-episode series, which is slated to premiere in spring 2018.

The second season’s six-part arc jumps ahead several years into the future after the Daedalus astronauts have built a full-fledged colony called Olympus Town. Having established humankind as an interplanetary species, Mars examines the impact that humans have on the Red Planet and the consequences the planet has on us.

Morales will play Roland St. John, CEO of private enterprise Lukrum Corporation.

Reprising their roles from Season 1 are JiHAE (Mortal Engines) as Hanna Seung, a mission pilot and twin sister of Joon Seung, capsule communicator of mission control; Sammi Rotibi (The Darkest Minds) as Robert Foucault, a Nigerian mechanical engineer and roboticist; Alberto Ammann (Narcos) as Javier Delgado, a hydrologist and geochemist; Clémentine Poidatz (Marie Antoinette) as Amelie Durand, French mission physician and biochemist; Anamaria Marinca (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) as Marta Kamen, a Russian exobiologist and geologist; and Cosima Shaw (The Danish Girl) as Leslie Richardson, a British nuclear physicist.

“This season takes us literally into new territory,” said showrunner Dee Johnson. “With no laws, no government and no safety nets of any kind, what is it like to be among the first settlers of Mars? Not only do we explore dangers and mysteries of this brand-new world, but we also explore what it means to be human in a place where so few exist.”

Morales, a presidential candidate for SAG-AFTRA, most recently starred on Ozark. His other credits include How To Get Away With Murder, Chicago P.D. and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

Ana Isabelle Starring in the Indie Thriller “Imprisoned”

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Ana Isabel is getting imprisoned…

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican actress and singer, whose full name is Ana Isabel Acevedo Avilés, will star in the indie thriller Imprisoned, according to Variety.

Ana Isabel joins a cast that includes Laurence Fishburne, Juan Pablo Raba, Juana Acosta, Jon Huertas, Esai Morales and John Heard.

Paul Kampf is directing from his own script, described as a revenge thriller wrapped around a love story with the question of the sacrifices made for love. Fishburne is playing the local prison warden. Raba and Acosta play a couple and Ana Isabel portrays her daughter — a young woman who never knew her father.

The film is scheduled to begin production in May in Puerto Rico.

Ana Isabel released her first album, Por El Amor, in 2007. She won Univision’s reality show Viva el Sueño in 2009.

Her acting resume includes having the lead role in five episodes of Decisiones Puerto Rico and minor roles in the movies Yellow, El Cantante and Talento de Barrio.

El Rey Network Renews Garcia’s “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” for Third Season

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse Garcia will see the dawn of another day…

El Rey Network has renewed From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, starring the 33-year-old Mexican/Spanish American actor, for a third season.

The announcements comes ahead of the show’s October 27 Season 2 finale.

A reimagining of Robert Rodriguez’s 1996 movie, which Miramax released theatrically at the time, the series expands on the supernatural crime saga revolving around brothers Seth and Richie Gecko.

Season 3 will continue their saga as they fight the culebra underworld.

D.J.Cotrona stars as Seth Gecko and Zane Holtz as Richie Gecko, along with Garcia, Eiza González, Wilmer Valderrama, Madison Davenport, Brandon Soo Hoo, Jake Busey, Danny Trejo, Esai Morales, Jeff Fahey and Briana Evigan.

Demi Lovato guest stars in the last two episodes of Season 2.

Season 2 was produced by Miramax in association with Rodriguez International Pictures, FactoryMade Ventures and Sugarcane Entertainment.

Morales to Star in Robert Rodriguez’s “From Dusk To Dawn: The Series”

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a new dawn for Esai Morales…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actor has landed a recurring role on the upcoming second season of Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk To Dawn: The Series.

Morales will portray Lord Amancio Malvado, a figure of terrifying cruelty and power who has a complicated and obsessive relationship with Santánico Pandemonium (portrayed by Eiza González).

He joins previously announced new cast members Danny Trejo and Briana Evigan.

El Rey Network’s first original scripted series, From Dusk Till Dawn is based on the cult classic film of the same name by El Rey co-founder Rodriguez, who created the series and directed four of the first season’s episodes.

Morales, currently a series regular on HBO’s The Brink, has previously appeared in Criminal Minds and NYPD Blue.

AMC to Release Melendez’s “Journey of a Female Comic” Doc in Southern California

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kiki Melendez’ Hollywood journey will take her to theaters in Southern California…

The award-winning actress, comedienne, writer and producer’s documentary comedy Journey of a Female Comic will be released through AMC Theatres’ AMC Independent Program in Los Angeles and San Diego just in time for CInco de Mayo.

“I am so grateful to AMC Independent for the opportunity to share my story. My hope in making this film, is to encourage and inspire women to take their dreams into their own hands,” says Melendez.

Journey of a Female Comic, which will hit theaters on Friday, May 2, 2014 with other major markets to follow, is an inspirational film for audiences of all races, genders, and backgrounds.

It centers on Melendez’ life growing up in a developing country, being raised by a single immigrant mother, and her career in Hollywood pursuing the American Dream. Never forgetting her humble beginnings, Melendez’ journey is thought-provoking, inspiring audiences to discover the difference between fame and fulfillment.

AMC’s independent program added the 88-minute film to its slate after it received an enthusiastic reception at test screenings.

The feature began as an experimental short film, premiering at the DR Global Film Festival. It also opened at Miami’s Hispanicize Film Showcase and The Broadway International Film Festival in 2012, where it represented the U.S. and won Best Documentary.

“Journey of A Female Comic fits perfectly within our AMC Independent programming initiative, which opens our screens to movies that resonate with our diverse audiences,” said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, Vice President of Alternative Content at AMC. “Melendez’ story is honest and entertaining, and will connect with many of our guests.”

Journey of A Female Comic also features appearances by other Latino trailblazers in Hollywood, including Edward James Olmos, Jacob Vargas, Esai Morales, Nadine Velazquez, the late Lupe Ontiveros, Maria Conchita Alonso and Guy Ecker.

Melendez also has lively conversations with international stars including Aaron Spelling, Usher, Sofia Vergara, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Shakira and Marc Anthony.

Melendez is best known for creating Galavision’s No. 1 entertainment show in 2000, Kiki Desde Hollywood, and Showtime’s hit show Hot Tamales Live! in 2008, the longest running all-female comedy show, available on HULU.

Morales Lands Presidential Role on HBO’s Pilot “The Brink”

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales’ next project will have him on the brink of political greatness…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actor has landed a co-starring a role in the HBO pilot The Brink.

Directed by Jay Roach from a script by Roberto Benabib and Kim Benabib, The Brink is an epic dark comedy focusing on a geopolitical crisis and its effect on three disparate and desperate men: U.S. Secretary of State Walter Hollander (Tim Robbins); Alex Coppins (Jack Black), a lowly Foreign Service officer; and Zeke Callahan (Pablo Schreiber), an ace Navy fighter pilot.

Morales will portray Julian Navarro, the President of the United States.

While the U.S. is yet to elect a Hispanic president, that has been a popular trend on television that has included Jimmy Smits’ Matt Santos on The West Wing and Blair Underwood’s Elias Martinez on The Event.

Morales, who most recently co-starred on the second season of Starz’s Magic City, recently wrapped a supporting role in George Lopez’s feature La Vida Robot and has a recurring role on CBS’ Criminal Minds.

Morales Releases Video Message About His Run for SAG-AFTRA National President

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales is giving his state of the union address, of sorts.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican actor and Magic City star is the running for SAG-AFTRA’s first sole position of National President. And, he’s speaking out about his candidacy.

To drum up support, the La Bamba actor shared a video statement with Deadline.com about his candidacy.

“I served on the National Board alongside Esai and I know him to be a caring and dedicated person. I believe the SAG-AFTRA membership will be well served with Esai as our National President,” said Ed Harris about Morales’ candidacy.

SAG-AFTRA is an American labor union representing more than 160,000 film and television principal and background performers throughout the world. The national position carries a two-year term.

Morales Running for SAG-AFTRA National President

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales next role could be quite presidential…

SAG-AFTRA has released the official roster of candidates for its upcoming elections, with the 50-year-old Puerto Rican actor and Magic City star in the running for the top position.

Morales is running for national president of SAG-AFTRA against Paul Edney, Ken Howard and Marilyn Monrovia.

“As an experienced ‘actorvist,’ I will refine how this merged union can benefit all members,” says the La Bamba star in his statement. “The current delay in residuals is unacceptable. I will hasten the unions promise of merging the pension and health plans. I will ensure that our readiness for the 2014 TV/Theatrical contract negotiations is unparalleled. SAG-AFTRA can no longer operate in the red. I will establish worldwide recognition, branding and proper industry respect for SAG-AFTRA. For our background performers I will lead the vetting of the costly and questionable hiring practices.”

The national position carries a two-year term.

National officer ballots will be mailed to all eligible SAG-AFTRA members nationwide on July16, with a return deadline and tabulation on August 15. Election results are expected to be announced that evening. The same schedule will apply to the Los Angeles and New York Local elections. Schedules vary for other local elections.

SAG-AFTRA is an American labor union representing more than 160,000 film and television principal and background performers throughout the world.

For more details Morales’ platform, visit www.membership1st.org.

The Second Season of “Magic City,” Featuring Morales, to Premiere in June

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales will be bringing the Magic this June…

Starz has announced that its hit series Magic City, which will feature the 50-year-old Puerto Rican actor in a starring role this season, will premiere on Friday, June 14 at 9:00 pm ET.

The Starz original series, which is set in 1950s-era Miami at the glamorous Miramar Playa Hotel, will premiere a week after the season finale of another Starz original series, Da Vinci’s Demons.

Here’s a look at the behind-the-scenes video for the show’s upcoming second season:

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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