Tilda del Toro to Star Opposite Kevin Hart in the Comedy “Night School”

Tilda del Toro is headed to night school

The Peruvian, Puerto Rican, and Spanish actress has been cast in Universal Pictures’ upcoming comedy, Night School, starring Kevin Hart.

Tilda del Toro

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the film follows a group of troublemakers who are forced to attend night school in hopes that they’ll pass the GED exam to and ultimately, change their lives.

Tiffany Haddish, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Yvonne Orji and Rob Riggle co-star in the film.

It’s based on a story by Hart, who also wrote the script with Harry Ratchford, Joey Wells, Matt Kellard, and additional work by Nick Stoller.

Production is currently underway with a targeted release date for September 28, 2018.

del Toro appeared in Warner Bros.’ Our Brand Is Crisis with Sandra Bullock.

Eugenio Derbez Renews First-Look Deal with Pantelion Films

It’s a special re-up for Eugenio Derbez

Following the impressive U.S. box office returns of the 54-year-old Mexican comedian’s English-language debut How to be a Latin Lover, Lionsgate-Televisa joint venture Pantelion Films has renewed its first-look deal with Derbez and producing partner Benjamin Odell’s production company, 3Pas Studios. The companies originally inked a first-look pact in August 2014.
Eugenio Derbez

The comedy about a gold-digging Lothario getting his comeuppance stars Derbez, Salma Hayek and a clutch of American actors led by Raquel Welch, Rob Lowe, Rob Corddry, Kristen Bell and Rob Riggle.

Ken Marino’s directorial feature debut grabbed the number two slot at the box office the weekend of April 28, grossing $12 million on just 1,118 screens. Its opening weekend audience was 89% Hispanic.

“It has always been our goal to reach deep into the acculturated Hispanic market,” said Pantelion CEO, Paul Presburger, adding: “I think we also accomplished what we have always wanted to do, which is to start bridging across acculturated Latinos to the general market.”

The deal renewal reflects Lionsgate’s commitment to underserved Hispanic audiences in the U.S. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer has long been a strong advocate for Pantelion and its initiatives.

“We are really happy to continue our relationship with Pantelion, Lionsgate and Televisa,” said Odell, adding: “They provide us very strong support but allow us a lot of creative freedom as we continue to strengthen the 3pas Brand and expand both into the mainstream and internationally. We couldn’t think of better partners.”

How to be a Latin Lover is Pantelion’s second breakout hit with Derbez after his directorial debut Instructions Not Included, which became the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S. ($44 million) and the highest-grossing Mexican film in Mexico ($48 million). Televisa’s distribution arm Videocine releases the comedy in Mexico May 5 on more than 3,000 screens. Hayek will be at the premiere Wednesday in Mexico City.

Founded some two years ago by Derbez and former Pantelion executive Ben Odell, 3Pas Studios has a packed slate of comedies in development.

Next out of the gate is Overboard, a remake of Garry Marshall’s ‘80s comedy starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Comedy is slated to start principal photography May 23 in Vancouver with Anna Faris starring opposite Derbez.

Aside from remakes of French comedy The Valet and Korean comedy Miss Granny and live action comedy Ponce, 3Pas is also producing animated feature La Familia Peluche, based on Derbez’s popular live action TV show that aired on Univision and Televisa.

Pantelion is also collaborating with Televisa and Starz on the series Teresa, based on the popular telenovela, and gearing up for the July launch of the still-unnamed streaming movie service with partners Univision and Hemisphere Media.

Boyar to Star in Untitled ABC Comedy Pilot…

Lombardo Boyar has landed a new television role…

The 43-year-old Latino actor has been cast as a series regular opposite Rob Riggle in ABC’s multi-camera, single-dad comedy pilot written by Dannah Phirman & Danielle Schneider, creators of Hulu’s Hotwives franchise, and executive produced by Trophy Wife creators Sarah Haskins & Emily Halpern.

Lombardo Boyar

The untitled comedy project centers on Josh Keeler (Riggle), an intellectual but emotionally challenged single dad who moves to Queens with his two young daughters and forms an unlikely family with the other residents in their apartment building.

Boyar will play Elias, a friendly yet macho tenant who also serves as the building’s handyman.

Boyar played Edgar Navarro on Murder in the First and recently guest-starred in Man With a Plan.

Open Road Films Acquires Thorne’s Romantic Drama “Midnight Sun”

Bella Thorne is hitting the Open Road with her new film next July…

Open Road Films has acquired the U.S. rights to Midnight Sun, the Scott Speer-directed romantic drama starring the 19-year-old half-Cuban American actress, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob Riggle and Quinn Shepard.

Bella Thorne

Open Road committed a seven-figure minimum guarantee and a P&A commitment for a wide release. The distributor has set a wide release for July 14, 2017.

The romantic drama follows 17-year-old Katie Price (Thorne), sheltered since childhood with a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight. Katie’s world opens up after dark when she ventures out to play her guitar for travelers. One night, she meets Charlie (Schwarzenegger), whom she has secretly admired for years. She hides her condition from him, and the two embark on a uniquely powerful romance that takes place over the summer.

The picture is based on the Japanese film Taiyo No Uta, and Eric Kirsten wrote the script.

Open Road confirmed the deal. “We were swept off our feet by this romantic film,” Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg said. “The movie had men and women – young and old – in tears, and we could tell immediately how strongly this story, and the fantastic performances by leads Bella and Patrick, would resonate with audiences of all ages.”

Guillen Starring in the Teen Comedy “Status Update”

Harvey Guillen is preparing for a status update

The Latino actor is starring in Scott Speer’s teen comedy Status Update, which is currently in production in Vancouver.

Harvey Guillen

The film, written by 17 Again scribe Jason Filardi, is billed as Big for the millennial generation and follows a high school kid, Kyle (Ross Lynch), who after being uprooted by the separation of his parents (Rob Riggle and Wendi McLendon-Covey) meets a foulmouthed mystical bearded guy (Josh Ostrovsky) who gives him a magical app that causes his social media updates to come true. As Kyle elevates to hero status at his new high school, his newfound powers abruptly backfire, sending him crashing back to earth.

Guillen is best known for his role in 2013’s The Internship, where he starred alongside Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. He also starred opposite Victoria Justice in the MTV series Eye Candy.

Derbez’s 3Pas Studios Extends First-Look Deal with Universal Television

Eugenio Derbez is staying Universal

The 54-year-old Mexican television actor and filmmaker’s 3Pas Studios, which has had a first-look with Universal Television since last year, just extended his agreement with the studio for another year.

Eugenio Derbez

The deal comes after he and his business partner Ben Odell set up two comedy projects last season: one at NBC (The Great Brown Hope) and the other at ABC (Don’t Judge Me).

3Pas Studio, based in Santa Monica, also has a first-look deal with Lionsgate’s Pantelion Films and recently set up their first film there: How to Be a Latin Lover in which Derbez stars along with Salma Hayek, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Raquel Welch, Rob Riggle, Linda Lavin, McKenna Grace, Renee Taylor, Rob Huebel and Michaela Watkins.

Written by Chris Spain and Jon Zack, the film is being directed by The State alum and Wet Hot American Summer co-star Ken Marino.

Other projects 3Pas has in development include Ponce written by Max Botkin, about the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León and his search for the fountain of youth although set in modern-day America; The Valet, a remake of the 2006 French comedy; and the animated Speedy Gonzalez at Warner Bros.

“I couldn’t be happier to be spending another year with Universal,” Derbez said. “The team has been a true pleasure to collaborate with, and I am excited about what’s to come.”

Hayek to Star Opposite Eugenio Derbez in “How to Be a Latin Lover”

Salma Hayek has a new lover

The 49-year-old Mexican actress has joined the cast of Lionsgate and Pantelion Films’ How to Be a Latin Lover, the comedy that marks Eugenio Derbez’s first English-language starring role.

Salma Hayek

Hayek joins Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Raquel Welch, Rob Riggle and McKenna Grace in the film being directed by The State alum and Wet Hot American Summer co-star Ken Marino.

The story, written by Chris Spain and Jon Zack, is about an aging Latin lover forced to return to live with his estranged sister and her young son after being dumped by his sugar mama.

Other actors who have also joined are Renee Taylor, Rob Huebel, Michaela Watkins and Linda Lavin.

Latin Lover is a joint venture between 3Pas Studios, Pantelion Films, Lionsgate and Televisa Cinefrom.

Derbez’s previous collaboration with Pantelion Films, Instructions Not Included, became the highest grossing Spanish-language film released in North America, breaking box office records with a combined domestic and international gross of over $99M.

Hayek, who is a filmmaker as well as an actress, just finished Hitman’s Bodyguard starring opposite Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Gary Oldman.

She was honored only a week ago by Pope Francis with the Olive Medal for her work in the arts, and for the responsible use of her celebrity to promote unity and peace.

Lionsgate to Release Derbez’s “How to Be a Latin Lover” in April 2017

Eugenio Derbez will spread the Love(r) next spring…

Lionsgate has scheduled the 54-year-old Mexican actor’s comedy How to Be a Latin Lover for release on April 28, 2017.

Eugenio Derbez

The film centers on Maximo (Derbez), a fading gigolo who is kicked out of the house by his aged mistress and is forced to return to live with his estranged sister and her preteen son in their humble home. Sporting a wardrobe consisting mostly of Versace speedos, Maximo focuses on finding another sugar mama to support his expensive tastes.

Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Raquel Welch and Rob Riggle co-star in the film for Lionsgate’s Pantelion label.

Ken Marino is directing from a script by Chris Spain and Jon Zack.

Derbez to Star in Pantelion Films’ “How to Be a Latin Lover”

Eugenio Derbez is looking for a sugar mama…

The 54-year-old Mexican actor, director and producer will star in the comedy How to Be a Latin Lover for Lionsgate’s Pantelion Films label.

Eugenio Derbez

Derbez will star opposite Rob LoweKristen BellRaquel Welch and Rob Riggle in the film, which will be directed by Ken Marino.

The film centers on an aging Latin lover who gets dumped by his sugar mama and is forced to return to live with his estranged sister and her preteen son in their humble home. Sporting a wardrobe consisting mostly of Versace speedos, the man focuses on finding himself another sugar mama to support his expensive tastes.

Other actors who have also joined are Renee Taylor, Rob Huebel, Michaela Watkins and Linda Lavin.

Lowe plays a jaded, legendary gigolo who is a “Yoda-like” source of war stories.

Written by Chris Spain and Jon Zack, the comedy is said to be in the vein of Bad Teacher.

The film is a joint venture between Derbez’s 3Pas Studios, Pantelion Films, Lionsgate and Televisa Cine. The project not only marks Derbez’s first English-language starring role, but is also 3Pas Studio’s first film under its first-look deal with Pantelion.

The project is now before the cameras.

Dawson to Lend Voice to the Animated Film “Henchmen”

Rosario Dawson is about to get animated…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban American actress has been added to the voice cast of Bron Studios’ first animated feature film Henchmen, which is based on an Adam Wood short.

Rosario Dawson

In addition to Dawson, the voice cast also includes James Marsden, Thomas Middleditch, Alfred Molina, Nathan Fillion, Jane Krakowski, Rob Riggle, Craig Robinson and Will Sasso.

Henchmen centers on a band of blue-collar workers at the Union of Evil who must come together to save the world.

The movie is currently in production at Bron’s studios in Burnaby and Duncan, British Columbia.