George Lopez to Star in Snoop Dogg’s Sports Comedy “The Underdoggs” for MGM

George Lopez is embracing the underdogg status…

The 61-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor will star in MGM’s Snoop Dogg sports comedy The Underdoggs.

George LopezLopez joins a roster of cast additions that includes Tika SumpterMike Epps and Andrew Schulz.

Meanwhile, the kid team of actors added to the cast include Jonigan Booth, Adan James Carrillo, Kylah Davila, Caleb Dixon, Alexander Michael Gordon and Shamori Washington.

Billed as The Bad News Bears in the world of Youth Football, The Underdoggs tells the story of Jaycen Jenning, “2J’s” (played by Snoop Dogg), a former NFL superstar who, after a run in with the law, agrees to coach a youth football team in lieu of prison in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.

Charles Stone directs off a script by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis based off a pitch by Snoop Dogg and Schwartz-Morini.

The film is produced under Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures banner, with Kenya Barris and Mychelle Deschamps for Khalabo Ink Society, Snoop Dogg’s longtime producing partner Constance Schwartz-Morini of SMAC Entertainment and Jonathan Glickman for Panoramic Media.

Production is underway for an October 20, 2023 theatrical release.

Lopez is currently shooting his upcoming multi-camera comedy series Lopez vs. Lopez, featuring his real-life daughter Mayan Lopez, and is performing stand-up in arenas across the country on his OMG Hi! Comedy Tour, through October.

Lopez will join the DC Extended Universe in the upcoming superhero film Blue Beetle, releasing in-theaters August 2023.

His extensive film credits include Walking with Herb, the modern-day Western No Man’s LandThe Tax CollectorEl Chicano, the romantic comedy box-office hit Valentine’s DayThe Spy Next DoorThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, and Spare Parts, which he also produced. Lopez has produced and starred in the series Lopez, co-created and starred in the series Saint George, hosted TBS’ inaugural late night talk show, Lopez Tonight, and co-created, wrote, produced and starred in the hit sitcom George Lopez.

Carrillo began his career at the age of nine and has shared the screen with Robert DeNiro in About My Father, appeared in David E. Kelley’s Lincoln Lawyer, as well as As We See It from creator Jason Katims, and Mayans M.C. from creator Elgin James.

Davila appeared in the pilot episode HBOMax’s Gordita Chronicles, and the short film Troop InvadersThe Underdoggs reps her first feature film role. An actor and gymnast, Davila hails from Manhattan Beach, California.

George Lopez Teams Up with Daughter, Mayan Lopez, for New NBC Comedy Pilot “Lopez vs. Lopez”

It’s a family affair for George Lopez

The 60-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will star alongside his daughter in Lopez vs. Lopez, a working-class family multi-camera comedy, which has received a put pilot commitment by NBC.

George Lopez & Mayan Lopez

The project hails from two key creatives behind another hit blue-collar family sitcom, The Conners executive producer/showrunner Bruce Helford, who co-created George Lopez with the comedian, and co-executive producer Debby Wolfe.

Written by Wolfe with Helford supervising, Lopez vs. Lopez, starring George Lopez and his real-life daughter, Mayan, is a working-class family comedy about dysfunction, reconnection and all the pain and joy in between.

It’s a reunion of sorts for father and daughter…

When she was 11, Mayan made her acting debut in an episode of her father’s eponymous ABC blue-collar family sitcom.

George Lopez, Wolfe and Helford executive produce with 3 ArtsMichael Rotenberg and Katie Newman. Mayan Lopez is a producer.

Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group is the studio.

The project originated with Wolfe, a Salvadoran-American writer, who came up with the idea and worked on it with George and Mayan Lopez. Helford, who was executive producer/showrunner on George Lopez, helped connect Wolfe with the Lopezes and has been involved in the project in a supporting role.

This would mark the return to broadcast for George Lopez. His eponymous sitcom aired on ABC for six seasons and 120 episodes. While not a major hit in its original run on ABC, George Lopez was a solid performer and enjoyed a strong afterlife in syndication. A decade after its ABC premiere, the show continued to do well in primetime on cable, Nick at Nite and a Spanish-language version on MTV’s Tr3s, and in the afternoon in broadcast syndication.

After the end of George Lopez, the veteran comedian headlined two other comedy series, Saint George, which aired on FX, and Lopez, which ran on TV Land. He also hosted a late-night talk show for TBS.

STXtv Developing Chicano-Themed Series “Once Upon a Time in Aztlan” to Star George Lopez

George Lopez has a little Timeon his hands for an ode to California’s Chicano culture…

STXtv is developing Once Upon a Time in Aztlan, a new television series anchored by the 59-year-old Mexican American actor/stand up comedian.

George Lopez

The project includes the participation of  famed photographer Estevan Oriol and iconic Los Angeles-based artist Mister Cartoon aka Mark Machado.

Michael Connolly, under his Mad Hatter Entertainment banner, brought the elements together. 

Lopez is in final talks to star and executive produce the project through his Travieso Productions, with Javier Rodriguez writing the pilot. Oriol and Cartoon will executive-produce.

“I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Cartoon, Estevan, Jada and Michael for this series and developing a show with STXtv,” Lopez said. “Cartoon and Estevan are the DaVincis of our community; they have been the street chroniclers of our uniquely Chicano story … our American story. I’m looking forward to working with them and the rest of the team to expand their canvas to capture the diverse stories and people that make our culture and community so amazing, colorful and vibrant.”

This authentic L.A.-based series examines a family coming to terms with the falsehoods of the American Dream and their ability to defy expectations.

“I want to create a vision of Los Angeles inspired by my tattoos and murals that enriches and showcases the culture, opening it up to new audiences,” Cartoon said. “Putting together the dream team of Latino street culture and a collection of creative minds headed up by George Lopez, who is born and raised in L.A. and is an icon of our community. George’s experience and sense of humor acts as a foundation for this team.”

The pilot will be directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, who helmed Eva Longoria and Demián Bichir in the Blumhouse/Imagine East L.A.-set drama, Lowriders.During that production, he worked closely with Oriol and Cartoon, who were also involved in the production. 

Oriol and Cartoon’s longtime collaborators Mark Suroff and Marco Valadez, who produced LA Originals, also will serve as executive producers with Connolly.

“I’m looking forward to developing this with Cartoon, George, Jada and Michael,” said Oriol. “STXtv truly gets what it takes to develop a real show that can only be made in LA. This is the dream team. Period. It doesn’t get more authentic than this and I’m proud and privileged to be invited on this ride.”

Lopez recently released his first Netflix comedy special

He previously starred in Lopez for TV Land and Saint George for FX. And he had a talk show that ran from 2009-11. While his hit comedy George Lopez, whichended in 2007, ran on ABC, STXtv will zero in on buyers in the cable and streaming markets.

Cartoon is L.A.’s legendary tattoo artist, designer and cultural icon whose stylish and influential global work has been featured on countless celebrities including Kobe BryantEminemDr. Dre50 CentBeyoncéLewis HamiltonSnoop Dogg and many others. Cartoon also designed the logos for Cypress Hill and Eminem’s Shady Records, and his résumé includes cutting-edge designs for Nike, the LA Clippers and T-Mobile and others.

Oriol is an internationally celebrated photographer, director and urban lifestyle entrepreneur. Beginning as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and House of Pain, he developed a passion for photography as he documented life on the road to become hip-hop’s best-known chronicler; his work has been showcased in bestselling books, select galleries, and institutions, including the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives,Mesa Contemporary Art CenterPetersen Automotive Museum, and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles’ and New York’s Art in the Streets exhibit. He has photographed Eminem, Kim Kardashian, Cypress Hill, Dennis HopperBlink-182Forest Whitaker, Robert De NiroAl PacinoKendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Danny Trejo, among many others. He most recently executive produced the film Lowridersand directed the hit Netflix documentary L.A. Originals.

L.A. Originalswas critically acclaimed and extremely successful, introducing new fans to the world to Oriol and Cartoon.

Danny Trejo to Star in the ABC Comedy Project “Food & Familia,” Inspired By His Life

Danny Trejo is bringing his life to the small screen, so to speak…

The 74-year-old Mexican American actor is  attached to star in an ABC comedy project that boasts Will Smith among its executive producers.

Danny Trejo

Trejo will star in and executive produce Food & Familia, which is currently in development at the network. The multi-camera comedy, is inspired by Trejo’s life. When the matriarch of the family passes away, she leaves her restaurant to her son, Danny (Trejo) – who’s about to get out of prison — and her granddaughter, Michelle, who hates her father for abandoning her. This gift from beyond the grave might heal the father and daughter and get them back together but, it’s gonna be rocky as the two of them work their differences out while trying to operate a restaurant, live together, and become a real family again.

Peter Murrietta will write and executive produce the project. Trejo and Smith will executive produce along with Caleeb Pinkett and James Lassiter of Smith’s Overbrook EntertainmentABC Studios will produce.

Should the project move forward, it would only be Trejo’s second series regular role, with the other being the short-lived George Lopez FX sitcom Saint George. Trejo is also known for his role in the Machete films as well as several other Robert Rodriguez films. His other TV roles include appearances on Sons of Anarchy, Rick & Morty, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, and From Dusk til Dawn: The Series. Trejo also opened his first restaurant, Trejo’s Tacos, in 2016 with multiple locations now open throughout Los Angeles. He also operates Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts and Trejo’s Cantina.

Murrietta most recently worked on the CBS comedy Superior Donuts. His other recent credits include One Day at a TimeLopez, and Cristela. Murrietta also won two Emmy awards for his time on the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place.

Lopez to Star in the Holiday-Themed Film “Aloha Santa”

George Lopez is preparing for a Hawaiian holiday…

The 54-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor will star in Aloha Santa, a holiday-themed film set to begin production in Maui in December.

George Lopez

Lopez will portray Chris Cringle, the lazy, immature adopted son of Santa who inherits the Santa Claus role when his father dies. Lacking confidence in his role, he ends up crash-landing in Hawaii when he takes the sleigh out for a test drive days before Christmas. Now he must find a way home in time to make the annual gift deliveries.

Billed as Hawaii’s first Christmas movie, it’s directed by Jonathan Yudis, who co-wrote the film with Adam “Tex” Davis and Mike Davis.

Lopez most recently appeared in the film Spare Parts and voiced the character of Rafael in Rio 2. His other credits include The Smurfs 2, Escape from Planet Earth and the television series Saint George.

Zayas Lands Mobtastic Role in Fox’s Batman Prequel Series “Gotham”

David Zayas is heading to Gotham City…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actor and Dexter alum has joined the cast of Fox’s Batman prequel drama series Gotham.

David Zayas

Zayas will portray DC Comics character Mob Boss Salvatore Maroni in a recurring role. He’s considered one of the city’s most dangerous gangsters.

In the Batman mythology, Maroni is a street operator who clawed his way into controlling the city’s drug trade and unions. He is second only to Carmine Falcone in power and reach, and second to none in his appetite for violence.

In time, Maroni will develop into one of Batman’s first enemies and become infamous as the man responsible for disfiguring district attorney Harvey Dent, leading to his transformation into Two-Face.

But for now, as he strives to increase his territory in Gotham, he’ll find himself on a crash course with his rival Falcone (portrayed by John Doman) for control of the city.

In the feature film The Dark Knight, the role of Maroni was played by Eric Roberts.

Zayas, a former New York police officer, segued to a career in acting in 1992, originally focusing on theater before expanding to film and television projects. While co-starring on the short-lived UPN cop drama The Beat, Zayas met the show’s executive producer Tom Fontana who went on to create the Enrique Morales character on his HBO series Oz for him. He’s best known though for his role as Angel Batista on Showtime’s Dexter.

He recently recurred on the FX comedy series Saint George. He also appeared in the features The Expendables, Skyline and Michael Clayton and will next be seen in the indie Ride and the Annieremake.

Lopez’s FX Comedy Series “Saint George” to Premiere in March

George Lopez’s return to television is scheduled for March…

The 52-year-old Mexican American comedian’s FX comedy series Saint George will premiere at 9:00 pm on Thursday, March 6.

George Lopez

Saint George, the second of three 10/90 comedy shows set for FX, is part of Debmar-Mercury and Lionsgate Television’s syndication model.

The half-hour, multi-camera ensemble series centers on George Lopez (Lopez), a recently divorced working class guy turned successful entrepreneur caught between two cultures.

If the series hits certain ratings thresholds in its first 10 episodes, it will trigger an additional 90-episode order.

It joins FX’s Charlie Sheen comedy Anger Management, which followed the same model and is now set to enter off-net syndication in September.

Matt Williams and his Wind Dancer Films partner David McFadzean co-created the series with Lopez.

Lopez last appeared on television as the host of the late-night talk show Lopez Tonight from 2009-2011.

His last starring role in a sitcom was as the lead on ABC’s George Lopez.

Merediz to Star as George Lopez’s Mom in the FX Series “Saint George”

Olga Merediz is reuniting with her one-time co-star George Lopez

The 57-year-old Cuba-born Broadway, television and film actress, who appeared on ABC’s The George Lopez Show, has been cast in a series regular role on Lopez’s FX series Saint George, the 10-90 family sitcom from Lionsgate Television.

Olga Merediz

Merediz will play Lopez’s mother Alma, a feisty, combative and domineering woman with an acerbic wit.

Merediz, who originated the role of Abuela Claudia in the Broadway musical In the Heights and earned a Tony nomination for her inspired performance, recently appeared opposite Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling in the feature Place Beyond The Pines.

Merediz’s other film credits include Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Evita, Marvin’s Room and Music of the Heart, while her television credits include Netflix‘s big hit Orange is the New Black, Royal Pains, Blue Bloods, Pan Am and Law & Order SVU.

Zayas Starring in George Lopez’s New FX Series “Saint George”

David Zayas is one of the saints

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actor, best known for playing Homicide Lieutenant Angel Batista on Showtime‘s serial killer drama Dexter, has joined the cast of FX‘s George Lopez comedy Saint George, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

David Zayas

The comedy centers on the chaotic life of a recently divorced working-class Mexican-American man who becomes a successful entrepreneur.

Lopez is set to portray the man who struggles to balance his demanding ex-wife, his 11-year-old son, his overbearing mother who just moved in and his uncle as well as his new role as a philanthropist “giving back” by teaching history once a week at night school.

Zayas will appear in the recurring role of Junior, Tio’s (Danny Trejo) son and George’s cousin. Junior, like Tio, is a bit quirky and off-center. Both admire the other and take advantage of George’s success and are always brainstorming ways to make money — sometimes legally.

Saint George was co-created by Lopez, Matt Williams and David McFadzean, with the trio set to co-write the first episode of the project, which begins production this month.

Lionsgate Television is set to produce the series.

In addition to Dexter, which wraps its run on Sunday, Zayas most recently guest starred on Fox‘s The Following. His credits include Grimm and Person of Interest.

Barraza Joining George Lopez in FX’s Sitcom “Saint George”

Adriana Barraza has landed a saintly project…

The 57-year-old Mexican actress, who earned an Oscar nomination for her heart-wrenching role as Mexican nanny Amelia in the Brad Pitt-starrer Babel, will co-star opposite George Lopez in Saint George, FX’s upcoming 10-90 sitcom from Lionsgate TV and Debmar-Mercury.

Adriana Barraza

Created and co-written by Matt Williams, David McFadzean and Lopez, Saint George revolves around the chaotic life of a recently divorced working class Mexican-American turned successful entrepreneur (portrayed Lopez), who struggles to balance his demanding ex-wife, his 11-year-old son, his overbearing mother (Barraza) who just moved in, and his uncle. If that isn’t enough, he also has to deal with his new role teaching history once a week at a night school.

Barraza, also recently booked a recurring arc on Guillermo Del Toro’s FX drama The Strain, starring Mia Maestro.

In her native Mexico, Barraza is best known for her role in Amores Perros. Her other credits include Henry Poole Is Here, Drag Me to Hell, Spanglish, From Prada to Nada and Thor.