Gaz Alazraki & Colleagues Launch New Production Company Maquina Vega

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gaz Alazraki has launched a new production company…

The 41-year-old Mexican director has partnered with Alisa Tager, Mark Alazraki and Moises Chiver create Maquina Vega, a new production company with offices in Los Angeles and Mexico City, which will provide a pipeline between the English and Spanish-speaking worlds.

Working with creators across countries and genres, the company will produce films and television series in both English and Spanish, bolstering emerging talents from Mexico and Latin America, while looking to increase the production of high-quality entertainment for Spanish-speaking audiences worldwide.

The Alazrakis come to Maquina Vega after launching Alazraki Entertainment in 2013 with the release of Gaz’s mega-hit Nosotros Los Nobles, a dark comedy which upon its theatrical debut became the highest grossing homegrown film ever released in Mexico. Following that up was Club de Cuervos, Netflix’s first Spanish-language original series, centered on football club Cuervos FC. Co-created, executive produced and directed by Alazraki, the show ran for four seasons and remarkably also led to the creation of a real soccer team in Pique’s King’s League Americas.

Gaz is coming off success with his Father of the Bride reimagining for Warner Bros and Plan B, which in 2022 drew HBO Max’s biggest-ever audience for a streaming-only film. Based in L.A., he serves as Lead Creative and Director of Maquina Vega and will continue to focus going forward on building his writing and directing slate in film and television.

Joining the company after serving as President of Anonymous Content Studios, Tager will also serve in that capacity at Maquina Vega, overseeing operations for both offices. Tager’s experience in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Africa, coupled with her fluency in English and Spanish, give her a unique skillset to build the production company.

A producer on Nobles and Club de Cuervos, Chiver will become Head of Production and Film Finance, overseeing the company’s internal production, third-party production services, and production financing from Mexico City.

Currently directing and exec producing the first season of Bienvenidos a la Familia for Netflix, the Mexico City-based Mark Alazraki will continue to oversee the company’s development and first looks, while building his slate as writer, director, and producer.

Also on board at the new company, as Head of Distribution and Finance, is Vicente García Cors, the former CFO of Twentieth Century Fox Mexico, who will grow Maquina Vega’s distribution division, working to release Mexican and international movies across Mexico and LatAm. Adrian Ituarte will serve as VP of Production, with Valeria de León as Director of Development.

Said Gaz Alazraki in a statement on the formation of Maquina Vega, “I’ve dreamt for many years about ways to create a home for my projects while also creating a destination for all the talented people we admire and would love to work with. I am incredibly excited to have Alisa as our partner who can lead us to achieve this opportunity and create this home.”

Tager noted that her decision to join forces with the Alazarakis and Chiver was “the culmination of so many things” she’s set out to do, “working with the most exciting international creators and companies, from development through production and distribution.” She added that she’s “confident that our combined reach and experience will position us to grow our footprint in the US and across the Spanish-speaking world. This is a unique opportunity to build something truly international with a global reach.”

Currently, Maquina Vega has first-look deals with Animal Politico, a prestigious online investigative newspaper out of Mexico, and Algarabia, a general interest magazine spotlighting short stories. The company also has a development deal with Editorial Planeta, the world’s largest Spanish-language publisher, and is building an online magazine to amplify new journalistic voices and generate new IP.

In addition to Bienvenidos a la Familia, current projects for the company include Club Perfecto, from writer-director Ricardo Castro and producer Jonathan Davis, which is in post at ViX; documentary Billy Meier, which is in production with Miguel Leon directing and Julio Rojas as writer-EP; an adaptation of Daniel Coronel’s novel Los Niños del Amazonas, in development with Candle Media’s Exile; and Bodas, from creator Erik Zuckerman, which is in development at ViX.

Diego Boneta Signs Overall Deal with Prime Video

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is bringing his amigos to Amazon Prime Video…

The 31-year-old Mexican actor, singer and producer and his production company Three Amigos have signed an overall deal with Prime Video.

As part of the deal, Boneta will produce and star in a full slate of shows in development while also creating movies, series, and reality shows coming to the streaming service beginning in 2023.

All new productions launched as part of this partnership will join Prime Video’s growing slate of Mexican Amazon Originals, along with the thousands of television shows and movies from Hollywood and around the world in the Prime Video catalog.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with Diego Boneta and the entire Three Amigos team,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, in a statement to Deadline. “We can’t wait for our customers to see what’s in store from Diego and Three Amigos as we work to bring compelling new content to Prime Video’s audiences across Mexico and all around the world.”

“As a leading streaming service, Prime Video empowers the incredible creators we work with, and we could not be more excited to begin building new stories with Diego and his team,” said Alonso Aguilar, head of local Amazon Originals, Prime Video Mexico.

Boneta most recently wrapped a successful three-season run on the Telemundo/Netflix bio-series Luis Miguel: The Series, portraying the titular multi-Grammy-winning singer.

He also appeared in Rebelde, 90210, Pretty Little Liars, Underemployed and Scream Queens.

His feature film debut was in 2012’s Rock of Ages from Adam Shankman. Other big-screen credits include The Titan, Terminator: Dark Fate, Love, Weddings, & Other Disasters, and Die in a Gunfight.

Up next, Boneta will star opposite Andy Garcia, Gloria Estefan, Isabela Merced, and Adria Arjona in The Father of the Bride by director Gaz Alazraki. The film premieres on June 16, 2022.

Macarena Achaga to Star Opposite Andy Garcia in “Father of the Bride” Reboot

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Macarena Achaga is hearing wedding bells…

The 29-year-old Argentine-Mexican model, actress and singer is set to join Andy Garcia in the Father of the Bride reboot, which Gaz Alazraki will direct.

The film will revolve around a Cuban-American family, based on a script from Matt Lopez.

The film will tell the story of a father coming to grips with his daughter’s upcoming wedding through the prism of multiple relationships within a big, sprawling Cuban-American family. It will be more of a rom-com than previous versions of film. While this will mark the third iteration of the story, sources say this will be more in the vein of the original Spencer Tracy film and not the Steve Martin franchise from the 1990s.

Achaga will be playing the stepmother to the groom. Gloria Estefan is set to play Garcia’s wife, with Adria Arjona tapped to play the bride-to-be. Diego Boneta is on board to play the groom.

Dede Garner and Jeremy Kleiner will produce for Plan B Entertainment. Garcia and Paul Perez will executive produce.

Achaga stars in Netflix’s international hit series, Luis Miguel, playing Luis’ daughter, Michelle. She also can be seen starring in popular Mexican series such as Amar a Muerte, Juliantina and El Candidto.

Isabela Merced to Star in Warner Bros.’ Remake of “Father of the Bride”

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Isabela Merced is joining the wedding party…

The 19-year-old Peruvian American actress/singer, who starred in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, will star opposite Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan in Warner Bros.‘ remake of Father of the Bride.

Gaz Alazraki, who helmed Club de Cuervos, is directing the feature, which goes before cameras in May.

Like previous iterations of Bride, which includes a Spencer Tracy-fronted 1950 movie and the Steve Martin-starring 1991 feature, the latest remake will center on the father of a soon-to-be bride coming to terms with his daughter’s nuptials.

The latest take, however, will be told through the relationships in a big, sprawling Cuban American family.

Merced will play the sister of the bride, who is being played by Adria Arjona. Garcia is the father.

Matt Lopez wrote the script for the update.

In addition to starring in Dora, in which she toplined as the globe-trotting adventuress, Merced co-starred with Mark Wahlberg in Instant Family, was part of the ensemble for Netflix’s Let It Snow, and appeared with Benicio Del Toro in Sicario: Day of the Soldado.

She next voice-stars in DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Untamed and will be protected by Jason Momoa in action-thriller Sweet Girl. Both are due to be released this summer.

Merced is signed to Republic Records.

Gloria Estefan to Star in “Father of the Bride” Reboot

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan is circling the mother of a role…

The 63-year-old Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman is in talks to star opposite Andy Garcia in Warner Bros. and Plan B’s Cuban-American reboot of the Father of the Bride films.

Directed by Gaz Alazraki, the film is being penned by Matt Lopez. Estefan would play Garcia’s wife, with Adria Arjona tapped to play the bride-to-be.

WB execs thought it was a long shot that Estefan would be interested, but between Lopez’s script and Garcia’s and Alazraki’s involvement, the opportunity for Estefan was simply too hard to pass up.

“A resounding YES was my answer to the invitation to join my good friend, the incredibly talented Andy Garcia, for this new and wonderfully warm and funny incarnation of the classic, Father of the Bride! I’ve been a fan of director Gaz Alazraki since I saw his record-breaking comedy Nosotros Los Nobles and can’t wait to experience how he brings this amazing script by Matt Lopez to life,” Estefan said.

Estefan’s music has people running to the dance floor for decades going all the way back to when she was the lead singer of Miami Sound Machine and “Conga” hit the airwaves in 1985. Since then her musical library could rival any singer in the world, and Hollywood has been no stranger to using her music in dozens of movies. Estefan has rarely made the jump to the big screen herself, with this only being the third time she has acted in a movie. She made her acting debut opposite Meryl Streep in 1999’s Music of the Heart, also providing the Oscar-nominated song of the same title. Most recently she appeared in Kenny Ortega’s A Change of Heart.

Adria Arjona to Star in Warner Bros. & Plan B’s Reboot of “Father of the Bride”

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Adria Arjona is heading down the aisle…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star as Andy Garcia’s daughter and the bride-to-be in Warner Bros. and Plan B’s reboot of Father of the Bride.

Gaz Alazraki has been set to helm the studio’s new reboot, which will revolve around a Cuban-American family, with Matt Lopez penning the script.

While this will mark the third iteration of the story, sources say this will be more in the vein of the original Spencer Tracy film and not the Steve Martin franchise from the 1990s.

Dede Garner and Jeremy Kleiner will produce for Plan B Entertainment. Garcia will executive-produce.

Arjona’s breakout role came on Legendary’s Pacific Rim: Uprising, where she co-starred opposite John Boyega and Scott Eastwood. She would follow that up with key roles in Life of the Party, Triple Frontier and most recently in the Michael Bay action pic 6 Underground.

She can be seen next in Sony’s extended Marvel Universe film Morbius, which also stars Jared Leto and Matt Smith.

Arjona was recently tapped for the female lead in the anticipated Rogue One spinoff series Andor, which also stars Diego Luna and Stellan Skarsgard.

Andy Garcia to Star in the Latinx-Themed “Father of the Bride” Reboot

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Andy Garcia has landed the father of all roles…

The 64-year-old Cuban actor will star in Warner Bros. and Plan B’s reboot of Father of the Bride.

Gaz Alazraki has been set to helm the studio’s new reboot, which will revolve around a Latinx family, with Matt Lopez penning the script.

The film will tell the story of a father coming to grips with his daughter’s upcoming wedding through the prism of multiple relationships within a big, sprawling Cuban-American family. It will be more of a rom-com than previous versions of film. While this will mark the third iteration of the story, sources say this will be more in the vein of the original Spencer Tracy pic and not the Steve Martin franchise from the 1990s.

“I’m very excited to join The Father of the Bride, a beloved film that has brought so much joy to so many over the years and to represent my Cuban culture and heritage in this story,” Garcia said. “I commend Warner Bros. for their foresight and celebrate this opportunity they have created. I am looking forward to my collaboration with our talented director Gaz Alazraki and producers Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner from Plan B. “

Dede Garner and Jeremy Kleiner will produce for Plan B Entertainment. Garcia will exec produce.

The veteran actor best known for roles in the Ocean Eleven franchise and The Godfather Part III, Garcia can be seen next opposite Katey Sagal in the highly anticipated ABC drama Rebel.

Gaz Alazraki to Direct Warner Bros. New Latinx “Father of the Bride” Film

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gaz Alazraki is taking on the father of a project…

The 38-year-old Mexican filmmaker, the writer and director of Mexico’s record breaking comedy Nosotros los Nobles, will helm Warner Bros. new take on the classic story Father of the Bride.

This latest take on the film will center around a Latinx family, with Matt Lopez penning the script.

The film will tell the story of a father coming to grips with his daughter’s upcoming wedding through the prism of multiple relationships within a big, sprawling Cuban-American family.

It will be more of a rom-com than previous versions of film. While this will mark the third iteration of the story, sources say this will be more in the vein of the original Spencer Tracy film and not the Steve Martin franchise from the 1990s.

Dede Garner and Jeremy Kleiner will produce for Plan B Entertainment.

Alazraki has quickly become a rising star in the directing ranks and one of the most prominent filmmakers coming out of Mexico. He wrote and directed Nosotros Los Nobles, which was distributed by Warners International.

He created, wrote and directed Club de Cuervos, Netflix’s first international original series, which has become one of the biggest international series in the streamer’s history.

Alazraki is currently directing the pilot for Apple’s Acapulco.

AppleTV+ GIves Series Order to Eugenio Derbez-Starrer “Acapulco,” Inspired By His “How to Be A Latin Lover” Film

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Eugenio Derbez has found the Apple(TV) of his eye…

AppleTV+ has given a series order to Acapulco, a Spanish and English-language half-hour comedy executive produced and starring the 59-year-old Mexican actor, comedian and filmmaker.

The project is inspired by Derbez’s hit 2017 feature comedy How to Be A Latin Lover.

Acapulco hails from Lionsgate Television, studio-based The Tannenbaum Company, as well as Derbez and Benjamin Odell’s 3Pas Studios.

Created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman, Acapulcocenters on a young Mexican man, who’s dream comes true when he gets the job of a lifetime at the hottest resort in Acapulco. But he soon realizes the job is far more complicated than he ever imagined as all of his beliefs and morals start to be questioned. The show takes place in 1984 with Derbez narrating and playing the present-day version of the main character.

InHow to Be a Latin Lover,produced by 3Pas Studios and distributed by Pantelion Films, Lionsgate’s venture with Televisa, an out-of-shape former gigolo (Derbez) is left to fend for himself after the rich older woman he’d married 25 years ago dumps him for a younger man.

Gaz Alazraki will direct and executive produce the pilot.

Derbez’s feature film Instructions Not Included, which he directed, co-wrote and starred in, became the most successful Spanish language film in the U.S. and worldwide, grossing more than $100 million worldwide. Cisneros served as an associate producer on the movie.

Netflix Releases First Trailer for Méndez’s Dramedy “Club De Cuervos”

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Gerardo Méndez is ready to bend it like Beckham on Netflix…

The on-demand Internet streaming media provider has released the first official trailer for Club De Cuervos, starring the 33-year-old Mexican actor.

From Gaz Alazraki (Nosotros los Nobles), Netflix’ new dramedy centers on the prominent Iglesias family, whose members engage in an outrageous battle to determine who will gain full control of his beloved professional soccer team: The Cuervos of Nuevo Toledo, when the family patriarch dies unexpectedly.

Balanced equally among comedy and drama, Club De Cuervos follows all the funny, sexy and dramatic action off the field and in the locker rooms. Egos, tempers, insults and soccer balls fly as the party boy brother, the work obsessed sister, a (possibly) pregnant girlfriend, the beleaguered team captain and everyone else in between all enter the pitch, all vying to score a personal goal.

Club De Cuervos stars Méndez as Chava Iglesias and Mariana Trevino, as Isabel Iglesias Reina and features Stephanie Cayo, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Ianis Guerrero and Antonio de la Vega.

The Alazraki Productions series was created by Alazraki and Mike Lam.

All 13 episodes of Season 1 will be available exclusively on Netflix on August 7.

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