Pedro Pascal to Star as Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards in Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four” Reboot

Pedro Pascal is preparing for a fantastic project…

Marvel Studios has revealed the cast of its new film The Fantastic Four, with the 48-year-old Chilean actor among those set to star in the reboot.

Pedro PascalPascal will play Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic).

His cast mates will include Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach is Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). The news was made official on Instagram.

WandaVision helmer Matt Shakman is directing Fantastic Four off a script by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer.

Disney is swapping Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts release dates in 2025: The latter will now kick off summer on May 2, while Fantastic Four will open July 25.

Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in 1961, The Fantastic Four is a family of astronauts who after being exposed to cosmic rays during a space mission gain superhero powers. Thing (Ben Grimm) is actually a former college football star, Reed’s college roommate and a skilled pilot.

The film is a major reboot by the Kevin Feige-led Marvel after Disney absorbed the 20th Century Fox Marvel assets, one of those IPs being Fantastic Four. 

That studio made two films in 2005 and 2007, Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of Silver Surferwhich combined grossed more than $635 million at the global box office.

A 2015 reboot by Josh Trank crashed, making just $167.8M worldwide.

Rodriguez’s New Film “CBGB” to Premiere at NYC’s CBGB Musical Festival

Freddy Rodríguez’s latest film will be taking a bite out of the Big Apple this fall…

XLrator Media has acquired U.S. rights to distribute CBGB, which stars the 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor.

Freddy Rodriguez

The film centers on the iconic New York City club that gave rise to the punk movement in America.

It will be released during the CBGB Musical Festival, which runs from October 9-13 in Manhattan.

In addition to Rodríguez, the Randall Miller-directed film stars Alan Rickman as CBGB founder Hilly Kristal and Ashley Greene as his daughter, Lisa.

In addition, it features Malin Ackerman as Debby Harry; Rupert Grint as Cheeta Chrome; and Joel David Moore as Joey Ramone, among others.

“CBGB is one of the most iconic and authentic names in music history, and Randy’s extraordinary film is a raucously entertaining celebration of the music and artists that have defined the culture for decades,” said Barry Gordon, XLrator Media CEO, in a statement Thursday. “CBGB is the rare film that will resonate with teens, millennials and legacy fans alike. The whole family can jump in the mosh pit together for this one!”

Earlier this month, The Exchange acquired the international rights to the film.

The Exchange Acquires International Rights to Rodriguez’s “CBGB”

Freddy Rodríguez’s latest film will be getting international exposure…

The Exchange has acquired the international distribution rights to CBGB, which stars the 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor and former Six Feet Under star.

Freddy Rodriguez

Rodríguez portrays Idaho in the film about the infamous New York City underground music club.

Directed by Randall Miller, the film also stars Alan Rickman as Hilly Kristal, CBGB’s founder who took chances on bands like Blondie, Television, the Ramones, the Talking Heads, Dead Boys and The Police.

CBGB Poster

Malin Akerman, Rupert Grint, Johnny Galecki, Ashley Greene, Justin Bartha, Joel David Moore and Donal Logue also form part of the large ensemble cast.

The Exchange will offer the film to overseas buyers at the Cannes Film Festival; Paradigm has the domestic distribution rights.

Rodriguez to Star in the Punk-Rock Indie Film “CBGB”

Freddy Rodriguez will soon be helping shine a spotlight on New York City’s punk-rock scene.

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican actor has joined the growing cast of CBGB, a film that will take a look at the Big Apple’s venerable nightclub of the same name.

Freddy Rodriguez

The former Six Feet Under and Ugly Betty star will appear as Idaho, an addict who hung around Hily Kristal’s infamous New York City club in the 1970s.

Rodriguez—who will be starring in the upcoming John Stockwell-directed drama Code Name Geronimo, which centers on the hunt for Osama bin Laden—is scheduled to start work on CBGB next week.

Randall Miller is writing and directing the indie film about the club that saw the birth of American punk rock with bands like The Ramones, Blondie, Television and the Dead Boys on its tiny stage.

Sons of Anarchy’s Ryan Hurst has also joined the cast as a biker named Mad Mountain who is a regular at the club and provides Hily Kristal with some much need help when the CBGB owner. Alan Rickman will play CBGB proprietor Kristal.

Malin Akerman is set to play Blondie’s lead singer Debbie Harry. Twilight Saga’s Ashley Greene will play Kristal’s daughter. The Hangover’s Justin Bartha will play Stiv Bators, lead singer of the Dead Boys. The Big Bang Theory’s Johnny Galecki is playing band manager Terry Ork. Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins is playing Iggy Pop. And Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint will play Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome.

The film is shooting in Savannah, Ga., before moving to NYC.

Ricky Martin Speaks!

Ricky Martin is getting the VH1 treatment! The Puerto Rican singing sensation is the subject of the music channel’s latest installment of “Behind the Music.”

In the episode, which airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT, the 39-year-old Grammy award winner discusses his music career, including his early days as a member of the Latin pop group, Menudo.

“Menudo was the only possible way for me to make it to the spotlight,” says Martin. “So I auditioned like crazy to become a part of the band… I think I went into a state of shock when I finally got the news. And, next morning, at eight o’clock in the morning, I was up on a plane.”

But that’s not all… Martin opens up about growing up in Puerto Rico; his long-term relationship with TV host Rebecca De Alba; his decision to come out of the closet; and finally, life with his partner Carlos Gonzalez, which has helped give him the strength to lead the fight for equality.

“My partner, my boyfriend is very sexy, very smart, very compassionate, but the most important thing [is] he loves my children. It’s very beautiful. Super cool. I am very happy.”

Click here  for a sneak peek at the must-watch special.

Modern Bratt

If you”ve been hoping to see Benjamin Bratt back on ABC’s hit comedy “Modern Family,”  you’re in luck! Bratt’s expected to make an appearance in an episode airing this fall, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Bratt’s character Javier — the ex-husband of Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and absentee father of Manny (Rico Rodriguez) — will spend a day at the races with the Pritchett-Delgado clan.

In the episode, “Jay (Ed O’Neill) feels possessive of Manny for the first time and wonders what he’s allowed to do and what he isn’t as his step-dad,” hints exec producer Christopher Lloyd. “The [racetrack] backdrop becomes kind of a competition between Jay and Javier for Manny.”

Season 3 of Emmy-award winning sitcom is  scheduled to begin on September 21.

Bratt, who’s most famous for his role as Rey Curtis on the “Law & Order,” will also be a series regular on ABC’s “Private Practicethis season.

So it looks like you’ll have plenty of chances to see the 47-year-old half-Peruvian heartthrob in the coming months!

J.Lo Returns…

It’s official! Latin superstar Jennifer Lopez will be headed back to the judge’s table on “American Idol” next season, according to Nigel Lythgoe, the show’s producer.


“I am delighted to say that all three judges, along with the brilliant host of ‘American Idol’ is back for the next season,” Lythgoe announced Wednesday on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show.

The 42-year-old Lopez, who’d been reportedly close to signing the deal for several weeks, will reunite with last year’s team: original judge Randy Jackson and Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler.

All three judges will hit the road in the coming weeks for the show’s audition rounds, which will take place in Denver, Houston, St. Louis, Portland, San Diego, Pittsburgh and Charleston, North Carolina.

Lopez will reportedly earn more than $20 million to participate in the next season, a hefty pay increase over the $12 million she received last year.

The 11th season of “American Idol” is set to hit the air on FOX in January.

[Image Courtesy of Tony Duran / FOX]