Eva Longoria’s “Flamin’ Hot” to Get Special Screening at the White House

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is bringing the Flamin’ heat to the White House.

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress’ directorial debut film Flamin’ Hot, recently released on Hulu and Disney+, will get a special screening at the White House.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host the screening on the South Lawn of the White House, joined by Longoria, as well as the cast and crew of the film and Latino community leaders.

The film is based on the true story of a Frito-Lay janitor Richard Montañez (portrayed by Jesse Garcia) who tapped into his Mexican-American heritage to invent Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which became a cultural phenomenon.

Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Emilio Rivera, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh, Pepe Serna, Bobby Soto, Jimmy Gonzales, Brice Gonzalez, Vanessa Martinez, Fabian Alomar, Mario Ponce, Hunter Jones also star in the Searchlight Pictures film, which debuted on the streaming sites on June 9.

The White House hosted a screening last month of the Disney+ series American Born Chinese, and in February for Till. The screenings traditionally have been for projects that are tied to social issues, including diversity and equality.

Longoria has long been active in Democratic politics, having campaigned for Biden in 2020 and spoken at the last three Democratic National Conventions.

First Trailer Released for Jesse Garcia-Starrer “Flamin’ Hot,” Directed by Eva Longoria

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jesse Garcia is ready to spice up the streaming world…

The first trailer has been released for Flamin’ Hot starring the 40-year-old Mexican and Spanish American actor.

“I know I don’t look it, but I got a Ph.D.,” Richard Montañez (Garcia) tells his new supervisor at the Frito-Lay plant. After a doubting “Hmm?” from the boss, he continues, “I’m poor, hungry and determined, sir.”

Replies the button-down manager, “OK, I can see you’re gonna be a weird one.”

Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, is a tale of a janitor who channeled his Mexican-American heritage and upbringing into an idea for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which disrupted the food industry and became a pop culture phenomenon.

As Montañez says in the trailer, “I’m the guy who helped bring the world the most popular snack it’s ever seen.”

Layoffs are hitting the PepsiCo snack-food giant because “Frito-Lay isn’t getting enough orders to keep the factory open,” the workers are told. But Montañez has the answer: “It’s a spicy chip. It’s gonna change everything.” Doubts converge among the higher-ups — “Why are we wasting time on this janitor’s crazy idea?” — but he starts to convincing.

Talking to roomful of execs, Montañez says, “If we knew there was a product out there for us, we’d say, ‘Take all our money, cabrones!” A mini-montage later, he admits, “I got a little ‘hood there at the end, but…”

Cristo Fernández to Star in Disney+’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a very bad day for Cristo Fernández.

The 32-year-old Mexican actor and Ted Lasso scene stealer has joined the cast of Disney+ film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day reimagining.

Fernández will portray the character Chavo, a cook who meets the Garcias while the family is on a road trip. He bonds with Frank (Jesse Garcia), a fellow chef. Production is underway in New Mexico.

From writer Matt Lopez and director Marvin Lemus, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day tells the story of 11-year-old Alexander Garcia (Thom Nemer), who thinks he has the worst luck in the world. When his family sets off on a road trip to California, he’s pretty sure disaster awaits at every corner. His anxiety only increases when a family secret is revealed.

The film also stars Eva Longoria, Cheech Marin, Paulina Chávez, Harvey Guillen and Rose Portillo.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, a new take on Judith Viorst’s book following a 2014 movie starring Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, is produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine and Lisa Henson.

Fernández currently can be seen in the Apple TV+ hit series Ted Lasso reprising the role of Dani Rojas he’s portrayed since Season 1. The actor and former professional soccer star made his debut in the Marvel Universe last year in a post-credit scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Up next, he will star as Wheeljack in the film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Fernández recently wrapped production on the indie film Sisters, which he starred in—alongside Marta Cross, Valeria Maldonado and Virginia Novello— and executive produced through his Espectro MX Films production banner. The company is currently in pre-production on the feature film adaptation of his short film, Fuera de Serie, based on the real-life story of Mexican engineer, Guillermo González Camarena.

Harvey Guillén to Star in Disney+’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” Reimagining

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Harvey Guillén is up to No Good…

The 32-year-old Mexican American actor will star in the Disney+ film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day reimagining.

Guillén will portray the character of Claudio, a healer who helps the young titular hero take steps in the right direction.

Production is underway in New Mexico.

From writer Matt Lopez and director Marvin Lemus, Alexander tells the story of 11-year-old Alexander Garcia (Thom Nemer), who thinks he has the worst luck in the world. When his family sets off on a road trip to California, he’s pretty sure disaster awaits at every corner. His anxiety only increases when a family secret is revealed.

The film also stars Eva Longoria, Cheech Marin, Jesse Garcia, Paulina Chávez and Rose Portillo.

Guillén is best known for his highly acclaimed breakout role in FX’s What We Do in the Shadows.

Most recently, he lent his voice to DreamWork’s Puss In Boots: The Last Wish.

Next, he can be seen in the Warner Bros. film Blue Beetle, starring opposite Xolo Maridueña, Susan Sarandon, and George Lopez, which is set to release in August.

His additional credits include Amazon’s Reacher, NBC’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, DC’s Harley Quinn and Apple TV+’s Shape Island, among others.

Cheech Marin to Star in Disney+’s New “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” Film

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s not such a terrible, horrible day for Cheech Marin.

The 76-year-old Chicano comedian, actor, musician and activist will star in the new Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day film at Disney+ following George Lopez’s exit due to a scheduling conflict.

Marin, who most recently starred in Shotgun Wedding and Champions, will portray Gil, the patriarch of the Garcia family and a comedic character who rides a motorcycle.

The film also stars Eva Longoria, Jesse Garcia, Paulina Chávez and Rose Portillo.

Production is currently underway in New Mexico.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a new take on Judith Viorst’s book following a 2014 film starring Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner.

It’s produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine and Lisa Henson.

Beyond acting, Marin’s Chicano art collection serves as the core of the new Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum in Riverside, CA. He is repped by Innovative Artists.

Eva Longoria to Produce & Direct Spanish-Language Adaptation of Hit French Series “Call My Agent!”

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is calling her agent…

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress, producer and director’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment will partner with Paris-based Mediawan and Elefantec Global to co-produce a Spanish-speaking Americas version of the hit series Call My Agent!.

In addition to producing the show as founding CEO of UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, Longoria will also direct the first two episodes.

Longoria already has more than a dozen television series director credits under her belt and recently made her feature directorial debut with Flamin’ Hot, which world premiered at SXSW.

“Like so many people around the globe, I’ve been a huge fan of the original series since it first premiered,” said Longoria.

“I’m so excited to partner with Mediawan and Elefantec Global to bring one of the greatest properties that gives a witty and satirical look behind the curtain of the entertainment industry for the Spanish-speaking American market.”

Elefantec Global CEO Pepe Baston echoed Longoria, saying: “Made with Latin flavor for a global audience, we are sure this iteration will find success and viewers worldwide,”

The original version of Call My Agent, illustrating the world of celebrity agents at a top Paris talent agency, first aired on France Télévisions for four seasons with record audiences, before being acquired by Netflix and achieving international fame.

The series has already been adapted for a number of other territories including Turkey, the UK, and most recently Italy, by Mediawan subsidiary Palomar.

The original series was produced by Mediawan Group label Mon Voisin Productions and Mother Production.

“Joining forces with Eva Longoria and Pepe Baston to take Call My Agent to Latin America is a unique opportunity,” said Mediawan CEO Pierre-Antoine Capton.

“Their talent and know-how combined with their international renown guarantee an innovative and premium adaptation of this series, a real funny and moving gem that the French creators were able to bring to life and which has since been travelling to audiences worldwide.”

Eva Longoria’s “Flamin’ Hot” Among SXSW Film & TV Festival Audience Award Winners

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria’s latest project is a flamin’ hot hit in Texas…

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress, producer and director’s directorial debut feature Flamin’ Hot was among the audience award winners revealed Monday for the 31st SXSW Film & TV Festival.

Flamin’ Hot, which stars Jesse Garcia in the sometimes true tale of the man behind the “flamin’ hot”-branded chip revolution, was named the Audience Award winner in the festival’s Headliners section. The film, from Searchlight Pictures, will debut June 9 on both Hulu and Disney+.

Julio Quintana’s The Long Game won for Narrative Spotlight, Rocío Mesa’s Tobacco Barns won the Visions Audience Award Winner prize.

Today’s awards were handed out across 10 film lineups, three Episodic sections for TV content and six short film sidebars.

Among the TV-side winners is the Season 2 premiere of Rafael Casal’s Starz’s Blindspotting was tapped as best of in TV Spotlight.

Here’s the complete list of Audience Awards winners:

Film Program

HEADLINERS
Audience Award Winner: Flamin’ Hot
Director: Eva Longoria; Producer: DeVon Franklin; Screenwriters: Linda Yvette Chávez, Lewis Colick

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Mustache
Director/Screenwriter: Imran J. Khan; Producers: Christina Won, Jessica Sittig, Christopher Storer, Tyson Bidner

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life
Director/Producer: Dan Covert; Screenwriters: Erik Auli, Dan Covert, Amy Dempsey, Tara Rose Stromberg

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT
Audience Award Winner: The Long Game
Director: Julio Quintana; Producers: Javier Chapa, Ben Howard, Marla Quintana, Dennis Quaid, Laura Quaid; Screenwriters: Julio Quintana, Jennifer C. Stetson, Paco Farias

DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT
Audience Award Winner: The Herricanes
Director: Olivia Kuan; Producers: James Lee Hernandez, Brian Lazarte, Lisa France, James Short, Olivia Kuan, Justin Baldoni, Andrew Calof

VISIONS
Audience Award Winner: Tobacco Barns
Director/Screenwriter: Rocío Mesa; Producers: Olmo Figueredo González-Quevedo

MIDNIGHTERS
Audience Award Winner: It Lives Inside
Director: Bishal Dutta; Producers: Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick; Screenwriters: Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta

GLOBAL
Audience Award Winner: Ek Jagah Apni
Directors: Ektara Collective; Producers: Ektara Collective, Lotus Visual Productions; Screenwriters: Rinchin, Maheen Mirza

24 BEATS PER SECOND
Audience Award Winner: Louder Than You Think
Director: Jed I. Rosenberg; Producers: Jeffrey Lewis Clark, Brian Thalken, Kelly Thomas; Screenwriters: Jed I. Rosenberg, Greg King

FESTIVAL FAVORITES
Audience Award Winner: No Ordinary Campaign
Director: Christopher Burke; Producer: Tim Rummel, Christopher Burke

Shorts Film Program

NARRATIVE SHORTS COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Closing Dynasty
Director/Screenwriter: Lloyd Lee Choi; Producers: Jon Hsu, Lloyd Lee Choi

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma)
Director: Sean Wang; Producers: Sean Wang, Sam Davis

ANIMATED SHORTS COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Sandwich Cat
Director/Screenwriter: David Fidalgo; Producers: Daniel Rodriguez, Laura Doval, Gonzalo E. Veloso

MIDNIGHT SHORTS COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Dead Enders
Directors: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker; Screenwriters: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, Tyler Walker, Jordan Michael Blake, Conor Murphy; Producers: Raven Jensen, Amanda Crown, Gregory Barnes, Conor Murphy, Nico Alvo, Jordan Michael Blake, Eduardo Ruiz-Healy

TEXAS SHORTS COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Breaking Silence
Directors: Amy Bench, Annie Silverstein; Producers: Monique Walton, Amy Bench

MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Drew Ashby – ‘HER’
Directors: Chris Scholar, Bevin Brown; Producer: Bevin Brown

TV Program

TV PREMIERES
Audience Award Winner: The Luckiest Guy in the World
Director: Steve James; Producers: Zak Piper, Steve James

TV SPOTLIGHT
Audience Award Winner: Blindspotting Season 2 Premiere
Showrunner: Rafael Casal, Directors: Rafael Casel, Jess Wu Calder; Producers: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Jess Wu Calder, Keith Calder, Emily Gerson Saines, Ken Lee, Tim Palen

INDEPENDENT TV PILOT COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: Notarize Me
Director: Erika Rankin; Screenwriters/Producers: Erika Rankin, Brigitte Valdez

XR Experience

XR EXPERIENCE COMPETITION
Audience Award Winner: JFK Memento
Director: Chloé Rochereuil; Producer: Victor Agulhon

XR EXPERIENCE SPOTLIGHT
Audience Award Winner: MLK: Now is the Time
Director: Limbert Fabian; Producers: Matthew O’Rourke, Sulivan Parker; Screenwriter: Andrina Wekontash Smith

XR EXPERIENCE SPECIAL EVENTS
Audience Award Winners (tie):

Neo-Wulin: The Era of Black Ark
Director/Screenwriter: Guanyu; Producers: Chenchenchen, Bingbing Wang

Ristband
Directors: Anne McKinnon, Roman Rappak

Soundwaves: A Metaverse Music Concert
Directors: YOOM, Active Theory

Eva Longoria’s “Flamin’ Hot” to Stream on Hulu & Disney+ on June 9

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria’s (flamin’) hot directorial debut will debut on two streamers this summer.

Following the world premiere at SXSW of Flamin’ Hot, Searchlight Pictures’ feature directorial debut by the 48-year-old Mexican American actress, producer and director, the film will stream on both Hulu and Disney+ on June 9.

It’s the first time that a new movie has been made available on both of the Disney-owned OTT services stateside. The filmwill stream on Disney+ overseas.

The film is based on the true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), a Frito-Lay janitor who disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican-American heritage to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.

“I’m so excited for the world to see Flamin’ Hot on these two streaming platforms making this universal, inspirational story accessible to an even wider audience,” director Longoria said. “Now everyone can celebrate the joy, power and heart of this film that also happens to uplift Latinos both in front of and behind the camera.”

Added Searchlight Presidents David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield. “Eva’s inspiring film is a joy to experience and we could not be happier that it will now be available to even more families and audiences around the world.”

Producer DeVon Franklin said: “From the moment I found Richard Montanez’ story seven years ago, I knew it would resonate with and inspire audiences everywhere. I’m so grateful to Searchlight, Hulu, and now Disney+ for giving us this historic opportunity to bring his uplifting true story to over 200 million subscribers around the world!”

The film is a Franklin Entertainment Production written by Lewis Colick and Linda Yvette Chávez (Gentefied creator-writer).

It stars Garcia as Richard, Annie Gonzalez as his wife, Judy; Emilio Rivera as Richard’s father, Nacho; Dennis Haysbert as Richard’s mentor, Clarence; and four-time Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as PepsiCo CEO Roger Enrico.

Other cast members include Matt Walsh (Veep), Bobby Soto (Narcos) and Pepe Serna (Scarface).

Thom Nemer to Star in Disney+’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Thom Nemer is preparing for a very bad day…

The 9-year-old Latino actor has been cast as the titular character in Disney+’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Nemer, who stars in Snowfall, will star opposite Eva Longoria, Jesse Garcia and George Lopez in the film.

From writer Matt Lopez and director Marvin Lemus, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day tells the story of 11-year-old Alexander Garcia, who thinks he has the worst luck in the world. When his family sets off on a road trip to California, he’s pretty sure disaster awaits at every corner. His anxiety only increases when a family secret is revealed.

Longoria and Garcia play Alexander’s parents Val and Frank; Paulina Chávez plays his 16-year-old sister Mia; Rose Portillo plays his grandmother Lidia.

The film, a new take on Judith Viorst’s book after a 2014 movie starring Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, is produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine and Lisa Henson.

Marisol Roncali and Chelsea Ellis Bloch serve as casting directors.

Nemer is best known for portraying Carlo in the FX series Snowfall. Nemer also notably worked alongside Jennifer Coolidge in an Old Navy commercial.

Annie Gonzalez to Star as the Late Jenni Rivera in Family-Authorized Biopic “Jenni”

Posted on March 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Annie Gonzalez will be portraying a late banda legend…

The Latina actress will star in an authorized biopic about the life of Jenni Rivera has been greenlit at ViX.

In addition to starring, Gonzalez will also executive produce the film.

Filming of Jenni (wt) is underway in Bogota, Colombia, and will be completed in Los Angeles.

The project is set to premiere exclusively via ViX and in select movie theaters in the United States and Mexico later this year.

Jenni (wt) will follow Rivera’s journey from her humble beginnings in Long Beach, California, to her meteoric rise to the top of the charts, and her final days before her tragic and unexpected death. The film will also share a look at the struggles she endured in her personal life and how she became the artist fans all know and love today, and how she persevered and found strength from within.

The streamer notes, Jenni is a story of resilience and bravery that shows the building blocks of what made Jenni Rivera—also known affectionately as “La Diva De La Banda”— who she was and the remarkable legacy she left behind.

“My siblings and I are very excited about this biopic and we know our mother’s story will impact generations to come,” Jacqie Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises said in a statement. “It has been an uphill battle, but we are happy to see one of our mom’s dreams come to fruition. Although we still haven’t gotten used to seeing someone portray our mother, we have faith Annie will do a great job.”

As a multiple award-winning artist—including multiple Billboard Music Awards, 22 Billboard Latin Music Awards, 18 Lo Nuestro Awards, and four Latin Grammy nominations— Rivera is not only known as one of the best-selling Regional Mexican artists of all time but also for her role in disrupting cultural precedent by crossing into banda, a male-dominated music genre and eventually into pop music, where her presence posthumously continues to shine. Rivera died in a plane crash in 2012.

“I am beyond honored to portray the essence of this phenomenal survivor that is Jenni Rivera who despite adversity at every turn was never a victim and showed her daughters, her family, and her audience what grace, forgiveness, and true authenticity is— liberating us all,” Gonzalez shared. “Jenni’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and nonconformity within her music were well before her time and made space for all of us to feel empowered. With the support of the Rivera family, I cannot wait to help tell the beautiful story and the impactful legacy of what Jenni means to me personally and what it will mean to women and Latinas everywhere.”

Manuel Uriza will star opposite Gonzalez in the role of Pedro Rivera, Jenni’s father, and Regional Mexican entrepreneur. The cast also includes Cinthya Carmona (East Los High) as Jenni Rivera’s eldest daughter, Chiquis Rivera, Jero Medina (Narcos: Mexico) and Miguel Angel Garcia (The Long Game) who will dually portray Trino Marín, Rivera’s first husband and father of her three eldest children at later and earlier stages in his life, respectively.

Additionally, Gabriela Reynoso (Si Nos Dejan) will be portraying Jenni’s mother Rosa Saavedra, J.R. Villarreal (Ultra Violet) will play Juan “Cinco” Lopez, Jenni’s late second husband, and newcomer Tatiana Juarez will portray Rivera during her early years.

“ViX is thrilled to be the official home and distributor of this powerful story about Jenni Rivera. Our commitment to this project is paramount and, along with a fantastic production team and director, we know we will have a film that will captivate our audiences,” stated Augusto Rovegno, Senior Vice President of Content ViX at TelevisaUnivision.

Gigi Saul Guerrero (Culture Shock) directs from a screenplay by Shane McKenzie (Bingo Hell).

Gonzalez is gearing up to promote Flamin’ Hot, the Eva Longoria-directed Searchlight Pictures film about how Frito Lay janitor Ricardo Montañez climbs the ranks at work and creates the spicy Cheeto snack. Flamin’ Hot premieres at SXSW on March 11 followed by a wide release via Hulu in June. The Chicana actress portrays the character of Judy, Montañez’s wife, opposite Jesse Garcia.

She also recently starred in Illegally Brown alongside Jessica Marie Garcia from filmmaker, Gabby Revilla Lugo, which is currently playing on the film festival circuit. Additionally, Gonzalez can next be seen in the upcoming independent thriller Body Language and an untitled Ethan Coen project.

Gonzalez is best known for her portrayal of Lidia Solis in the Netflix comedy series Gentefied and her guest roles in Apple’s Mr. Corman, Starz’s Vida, NBC’s Good Girls, Showtime’s Shameless, and FX’s American Horror Story, among other credits.

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