NCIS Star Wilmer Valderrama to Appear on NCIS: Hawaii as Part of Special Crossover Event

Wilmer Valderrama is Hawaii bound…

The 41-year-old Colombian/Venezuelan American actor and his NCIS co-star Katrina Law will be visiting Vanessa Lachey and the rest of the NCIS: Hawai’i cast as part of a crossover special event airing via CBS on March 28.

Wilmer Valderrama“I am headed off to Hawaii to shoot a crossover event,” Valderrama says in an Instagram video released on Monday. Added Law, “I’ve also got something to tell you: I’m coming to Hawaii, too.”

Details regarding what fans can expect from the special that’ll see agents Nicholas Torres (Valderrama) and Jessica Knight (Law) come face to face with Lachey’s Jane Tennant are being kept under wraps by CBS. Whatever the plans, viewers can certainly expect an action-packed episode, according to Law.

“It’s going to be good being back on the island solving crimes,” she said mischievously.

The actress formerly starred in the CBS drama Hawaii Five-O as Quinn Liu during the show’s 10th season.

Both NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i return with new episodes tonight, at 9:00 pm and 10 pm, respectively.

Wilmer Valderrama to Headline & Executive Produce Disney’s “Zorro” TV Series

Wilmer Valderrama is zee man…

The 41-year-old Colombian/Venezuelan American actor is developing a television series based on the Disney western Zorro for Disney Branded Television.

Wilmer ValderramaValderrama will executive produce and star as Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego, the titular masked horseman.

The project is executive produced by former Disney Branded Entertainment president and Chief Creative Officer Gary Marsh under the multiyear production deal for his banner at Disney General Entertainment, and John Gertz of Zorro Productions, Inc.

“We’re reimagining this Disney classic as a compelling period piece, set in Pueblo de Los Angeles, but told in a very modern telenovela style — with richly drawn contemporary characters and relationships set against the action, drama, suspense, and humor of the original, iconic Zorro,” said Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television. “Wilmer shares our commitment to reflect the interesting and rich diversity of the human experience and we look forward to delivering a culturally relevant and entertaining story with definitional characters that will connect with our viewers for generations to come.”

Valderrama said he is excited to add to the legacy of the masked avenger while representing the Latino community, especially the younger generation that will grow up feeling represented as he did.

“Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero. As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility for the stories that I help bring to life,” he said. “To partner with Gary and Disney to bring Zorro back into the family after 60 years and be a part of the legacy for other children to know they too can be the heroes of their own stories is a dream come true.”

Most recently, Valderrama voiced the character, Agustin, in Disney’s Encanto, and continues to portray NCIS Special Agent Nicholas Torres in CBS’ NCIS.

Wilmer Valderrama Teams Up with Rafael Agustín & Marvin Lemus to Develop Drama/Satire Series “Hipster Death Rattle”

Wilmer Valderrama is rattle to roll…

The 41-year-old Colombian/Venezuelan American actor and NCIS co-star is teaming up with Rafael Agustín and Marvin Lemus to develop Hipster Death Rattle, a drama/satire with comedic elements for The CW.

Wilmer ValderramaThe one-hour series from CBS Studios—based on the novel of the same name by Richie Narvaez—is set in a historically Latino neighborhood that’s falling victim to aggressive gentrification.

According to the show’s logline, “Someone is killing the ‘woke’ yet pretentious new hipsters. But who? And worse – do the locals even care? The victims were just hiking up rent anyway!’”Hipster Death RattleBoth Agustín and Lemus will executive produce alongside Valderrama and Kaitlin Saltzman for WV Entertainment, and Corinne Brinkerhoff and Tiffany Grant for Green Ribbon. Agustín will also write, and Lemus is set to direct.

Agustín serves as CEO of the Latino Film Institute, overseeing the Youth Cinema Project, their project-based learning educational film program, and the annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival.

He was a writer on the CW’s Jane the Virgin and a Sundance fellow for his TV family comedy, Illegal, based on his life as a formerly undocumented American.

Agustín is currently writing his comedic undocumented memoir, Illegally Yours, for Grand Central Publishing.

Lemus is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer. He co-created and directed Netflix’s Gentefied, which released its second season in November. He also served as co-showrunner on Season 2.

Erick Galindo Developing “Mexican Beverly Hills” for CBS

Erick Galindo is punching a ticket to California’s Mexican Beverly Hills…

The Latino award-winning writer, producer and journalist is developing the family comedy Mexican Beverly Hills for CBS alongside Aaron Izek and Wilmer Valderrama.

Erick Galindo

The single-camera project is inspired by Galindo’s New York Times essay of the same name.

Mexican Beverly Hills tells the story of a working-class Mexican-American family that moves to the wealthy, heavily Latinx city of Downey—also known as the Mexican Beverly Hills—where they both fit in and stand out in ways they never have before.

Galindo and Izek will write and executive produce; Valderrama and Kaitlin Saltzman will also executive produce under Valderrama’s WV Entertainment banner.

Galindo is a five-time Telly Award-winning writer, director, and producer known for his personal essays. He regularly writes about culture for LAist, NPR station KPCC, and The New York Times, and was the first managing editor of L.A. Taco, where his work won a James Beard Foundation award.

His co-written pilot Hot in Carson was a finalist for the Black List’s inaugural Latinx TV List, and his dark comedy script Legends was selected for the 2020 NHMC Latinx Screenwriters Showcase. He just launched Sin Miedo Productions with Patty Rodriguez.

Maluma Joins Voice Cast of Disney’s Animated Film “Encanto”

Maluma is getting animated

The 27-year-old Colombian superstar has joined the voice cast of Disney‘s upcoming film Encanto.

Maluma x Quay

Maluma will voice the character of town heartthrob Mariano.

Encanto is such a magical movie,” Maluma said in a statement. “I’m from Colombia and the story is about a Colombian family. I’m proud to be part of this beautiful story. It means so much to me as I’m very passionate about sharing my country’s cultural values and story globally.”

 

Other cast members in Encanto include John Leguizamo, Wilmer Valderrama and Diane Guererro.

Walt Disney Releases First Trailer for “Encanto,” with Stephanie Beatriz Leading the Voice Cast

Stephanie Beatriz is enchanted with her latest project…

Walt Disney Animation Studios has released the first trailer, poster and images from its forthcoming film Encanto, featuring the 40-year-old Colombian- and Bolivian-Argentine actress as part of the voice cast.

Stephanie Beatriz

The film will be out in theaters November 24, 2021. It features new music from Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Encanto is the story of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.

The film features the voice of Beatriz as Mirabel, an ordinary 15-year-old who’s struggling to find her place in her family.

“Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more,” says Beatriz. “She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.

“I’m Colombian on my father’s side, and playing this role fills me with immense pride,” Beatriz adds. “As a Disney kid, I’d burn through my VHS tapes and adored every single magical story that the world of Disney introduced me to. I learned in those that stories that anything is possible, especially if you believe in magic and the goodness rooted deep inside us all.”

In the film, the magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift, from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.

The voice cast also includes María Cecilia Botero, Wilmer Valderrama, Adassa, Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, Angie Cepeda, Jessica Darrow, Rhenzy Feliz and Carolina Gaitan.

The new trailer includes an original song from the film, Colombia, Mi Encanto, performed by 17-time Grammy and Latin Grammy winner Carlos Vives, a native of Santa Marta, Colombia.

 

The film features all-new songs by Miranda and is directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, co-directed by Charise Castro Smith and produced by Clark Spencer and Yvett Merino.

Bush and Castro Smith are screenwriters on the film.

John Leguizamo to Take Part in Upcoming CBS Special “Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event”

John Leguizamo is helping to honor this year’s coronavirus pandemic warriors…

The 56-year-old Colombian actor and stand-up comedian will take part in CBS’ upcoming special Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event. 

John Leguizamo

Leguizamo is among a roster of new additions to the special that includes José Andrés, Arturo Castro, John Leguizamo, George Lopez, Isabela Merced, Rita Moreno, Ana Navarro, Freddy Rodriguez and Wilmer Valderrama.

 

The event will be produced and hosted by Eva Longoria. Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan are also set to co-host.

 

The star-studded lineup will join the show, created by Henry R. Muñoz III and directed by Ron de Moraes, to celebrate Latinx culture while also shedding light on those in the community that have been heavily impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic and those who play an essential role in fighting COVID-19.

Apart from the array of Latinx voices speaking at the event, the event will also feature musical performances, comedy pieces and docu-shorts aimed to spread awareness on the Latinx experience.

 

The special follows Longoria’s recent launch of a lifestyle site for the Latina community, She Se Puede, that covers fashion, health, culture and voting.

 

Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event will broadcast Monday, October 26 from 9:00-10:00pm, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. Audiences can also stream the event live and on demand on CBS All Access.

Wilmer Valderrama Renews First-Look Deal with CBS Television Studios

Wilmer Valderrama still has the (first) look…

The 40-year-old Colombian/Venezuelan American actor and NCIS co-star has renewed his first-look deal with CBS Television Studios, the studio behind the popular CBS drama series.

Wilmer Valderrama 

Valderrama stars as Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, which was just renewed for an 18th season. He has been on the show since Season 14, with the first-look producing pact running parallel to his acting deal for the show.

Under the first-look agreement, Valderrama has developed several series projects for CBS Television Studios through his WV Entertainment banner, including Hipster Death Rattle, a dark comedy based on the book by Richie Narvaez, with writer Rafael Agustin and Corinne Brinkerhoff; as well as the previously announced, The Turners, a half-hour single-camera autobiographical family doctors comedy from writer Naomi Ekperigin at ABC with Two Shakes Entertainment co-producing; and Patriots From the Barrio, a WWII drama about a Mexican-American unit, based on the book by Dave Gutierrez, from writer John Covarrubias.

Valderrama previously created and produced the MTV series Yo Momma, also serving as the host for all three seasons, in addition to producing other MTV series like Punk’dBlowin’ Up and Trippin’.

On the film side, Valderrama most recently was featured in Blast Beat, a coming of age drama that premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. He voiced the first Latino Prince Charming in the 2018 animated feature film Charming. Valderrama also voiced the main character of Disney’s popular animated children’s show Handy Manny, which introduced preschoolers to Spanish. 

Netflix to Release JJ Soria’s Latinx Dramedy “Gentefied” in February

JJ Soriais getting gentefied next month…

Netflix has scheduled the launch of Gentefied, its 10-episode Latinx dramedy starring the 33-year-old Mexican American actor, for February 21.

JJ Soria

The project hails from Marvin Lemusand Linda Yvette Chávez— the duo behind Gente-fied: The Digital Series, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festivalin 2017 — and Macro.

Described as a badass Spanglish series about family, community, brown love and the displacement that disrupts it all, Gentefied follows three Mexican-American cousins and their struggle to chase the American Dream, even while that same dream threatens the things they hold most dear: their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather and the family taco shop. Set in a rapidly changing Los Angeles, the series will navigate important themes such as identity, class and balancing insta-fame with translating memes for their parents. And it will settle once and for all how to pronounce Latinx, Netflix notes.

In addition to Soria, the series also stars Joaquín CosíoKarrie Martin and Carlos Santos

Executive Producer America Ferrera and Wilmer Valderrama are confirmed to guest star. Ferrera directed two episodes along with co-creator Lemus, Marta CunninghamAurora Guerrero and Andrew Ahn.

America Ferrera Joins 200+ in Penning Letter in Solidarity with the U.S. Latino Community in the Trump Era

America Ferrerais speaking up…

The 35-year-old Honduran American actress and former Ugly Betty star is among the A-list celebrities who’ve signed a letter to support the Latino community in light of recent deadly attacks and political targeting.

America Ferrea

Ferrera is among 200 actors, musicians, artists, activists, and labor and civil rights leaders that have signed the letter, which has been published in newspapers including The New York TimesEl Nuevo HeraldLa Opinión and El Diario.

Other top names include Eva LongoriaDiane Guerrero, Alex Martinez Kondracke, Mónica Ramírez and Olga Segura, along with Jennifer LopezGina RodriguezLin-Manuel MirandaCarmen PerezAnthony D. RomeroWilmer ValderramaZoe SaldanaSalma Hayek PinaultRicky MartinRosario DawsonDiego Luna, Dolores Huertaand Sandra Cisneros.

This comes amid a raft of incidents including the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas that left 22 individuals dead and injured 24 others, the sweeping ICE raids that took 680 individuals into custody in Mississippi, the continued separation of families, and the inhumane living conditions of those detained.



“As a Latina, my heart breaks with every attack on our dignity, humanity and lives. And as an American, I fear for the future of my country when our culture and policies lack a basic decency and respect for human life,” said Ferrera. “We all have a responsibility to show up in this moment and demand decency for one another and for our country.”

“We’re facing a moral crisis in our country, and we chose to use this moment to raise our voices, and speak up,” said Longoria. “Integrity starts with looking in the mirror and this letter calls on everyone, not just our community, to choose humanity and decency over hate and violence.”

“This piece is to remind us of our shared humanity,” added Orange Is The New Black star Guerrero. 

“We don’t have to look far to see what family separation and hateful rhetoric is doing to the people in our country. If we do not act, we will be complicit in one of history’s greatest tragedies.”