Selena Gomez Partnering with Univision to Produce Her First Spanish-Language Documentary Series, “Mi Vecino, El Cartel”

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is producing her first-ever Spanish-language documentary series.

The 29-year-old Mexican American actress/singer, who recently earned her first-ever Grammy nomination, has teamed up with Univision to produce her a documentary series for the network’s forthcoming subscription streaming service.

Titled Mi Vecino, El Cartel, the project hails from Gomez’s July Moon Productions company and Blackfin, owned by Hasbro’s eOne.

The three-part docuseries “follows the cold-blooded homicide of a former cartel lawyer and high-level cooperator for the U.S. government, Juan Guerrero Chapa, and the subsequent investigation and trial.”

“As a true crime fan, I was immediately captivated when I heard the story surrounding the homicide of Juan Guerrero Chapa. Not only did it take place close to my hometown in Texas, but it was also a story unlike anything I’ve ever heard,” Gomez said in a statement. “I am excited to partner with Univision and really pull back the layers of his double life.”

News of the deal between Gomez and Univision follow the recent announcement of a partnership between the Spanish network and Mexican actor/comedian Eugenio Derbez, who will also produce original Spanish-language content for the streaming service.

“As we build the largest Spanish-language streaming platform in the world and an indispensable service to this audience, one of our top priorities is bringing diverse voices and stories and investing in Latin storytellers,” said Rodrigo Mazon, executive vice president, general manager of SVOD at Univision. “We are proud to welcome Selena Gomez to our roster of globally acclaimed creators that will help create the best in-language, in-culture original content.”

According to Univision, in 2022, it will launch its “global streaming service, including a new premium subscription (SVOD) and an expanded free advertising-supported (AVOD) tier, to become the home to the most extensive offering of originally produced Spanish-language content in the world.”

Most recently, Gomez — who produced the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why — starred in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building co-created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman.

The show’s cast also includes Martin and Martin Short. The show, which has been renewed for a second season, is about three neighbors (Gomez, Short and Martin) who come together to solve a murder when someone who lives in their building winds up dead.

Christian Navarro to Star in Melissa Miller Costanzo’s Indie “The List”

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Christian Navarro has made The List…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actor and 13 Reasons Why star has been cast in Melissa Miller Costanzo’s indie The List, starring Halston Sage.

The comedy penned by Rob Lederer and Steve Vitolo centers on Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married, for whom everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake (Navarro), a sweet and charming waiter at a neighborhood cafe, who gives her a fresh perspective.

Navarro is best known for his turn as Tony Padilla in 13 Reasons Why, the YA series which ran on Netflix for four seasons.

The actor recently wrapped production on The Devil’s Light, a Lionsgate horror thriller, which will premiere in 2022.

He’s also appeared in films including Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Bushwick, along with series including Vinyl, The Tick, Rosewood and The Affair.

Rosanny Zayas to Star in Netflix’s Psychological Thriller Limited Series “Echoes”

Posted on August 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Rosanny Zayas is making (sound) waves…

The Afro-Latina actress will star as a series regular in Echoes, Netflix’s psychological thriller limited series from 13 Reasons Why showrunner Brian Yorkey.

Zayas joins a cast that includes Tony Award winner Ali Stroker, Karen Robinson, Michelle Monaghan, Matt Bomer and Daniel Sunjata.

Created and written by Vanessa Gazy, Echoes is a mystery thriller about identical twins Leni and Gina, both portrayed by Monaghan, who share a dangerous secret. Since they were children, Leni and Gina secretly have swapped lives, culminating in a double life as adults: They share two homes, two husbands and a child, but everything in their perfectly choreographed world is thrown into disarray when one of the sisters goes missing.

Zayas is Deputy Paula Martinez. She has enjoyed her first year working in the sleepy town of Mt. Echo where the crimes are as mild as the weather. But when her new friend Leni disappears, the true character of Mt. Echo reveals itself—and she finds herself caught in the middle.

Zayas currently stars on Season 2 of Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q. She will next be seen in Sam Esmail’s limited series Angelyne for Peacock and UCP. She previously recurred on Orange Is The New Black, Modern Persuasion, The Code and Instinct.

Epix Renews Jan Luis Castellanos’ Dramedy “Bridge and Tunnel” for Second Season

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more tunnel vision for Jan Luis Castellanos…

Epix has ordered a second season of the half-hour dramedy series Bridge and Tunnel, starring the 25-year-old Dominican actor.

Written, directed and produced by Edward Burns, who also stars, the six-episode series, set in the early 1980’s, revolves around a group of recent college grads setting out to pursue their dreams in Manhattan while still clinging to the familiarity of their working-class Long Island home town.

Production will begin this fall in New York, with an eye towards a 2022 premiere.

In addition to Castellanos and Burns, the series’ ensemble cast includes Sam Vartholomeos, Caitlin Stasey, Gigi Zumbado, Brian Muller and Isabella Farrell.

Bridge and Tunnel is produced by EPIX Studios and is internationally distributed by MGM.

Castellanos’ previous credits include 13 Reasons Why, Get Lost and Don’t Look Deeper.

Kyle Patrick Alvarez to Direct Disney+’s Sci-Fi Adventure “Crater”

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

There’s crate(r) expectations for Kyle Patrick Alvarez…

The Latino film director and screenwriter will direct Disney Plus’ sci-fi adventure film Crater.

The film will star Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Billy Barratt, Orson Hong, Thomas Boyce and Mckenna Grace.

The film will be overseen by Disney’s live-action team with hopes to shoot in the spring. Shawn Levy and Dan Levine will produce through their 21 Laps Entertainment banner.

Crater is described as a coming-of-age story in the vein of Stand By Me, set on a moon colony. After the death of his father, a boy (Russell-Bailey) growing up on a lunar mining colony takes a trip to explore a mysterious crater, along with his four best friends, prior to being permanently relocated to another planet. Barratt, Hong and Boyce will join Grace as the boy’s best friends.

John Griffin penned the script. The film was originally set up at 20th Century Fox with Levy circling the directing chair, but after it moved to Disney Levy chose to focus on producing duties as the film gained momentum.

Alvarez’s previous directing credits include Homecoming, Tales of the City, Counterpart and 13 Reasons Why.

Inde Navarrette Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Inde Navarrette has new representation…

The Latina actress, best known for her role as Estela de la Cruz in the fourth and final season of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for representation in all areas.

She has also portrayed Veronica in the Snapchat original series Denton’s Death Date, and as Sarah Cushing in The CW’s series Superman & Lois.

In film, she was most recently seen opposite Sienna Miller and Diego Luna in Wander Darkly, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. She has also appeared in the short films Cranberry Nights and Cross Words Together.

In 2019, she participated in the Sundance Directors Lab, which included Robert Redford, Christine Lahti, and Ed Harris as mentors.

Gigi Zumbado to Star in Edward Burns’ Epix 1980s-Themed Dramedy “Bridge and Tunnel”

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gigi Zumbado has (bridge and) tunnel vision…

The Latin actress will star in Epix’s half-hour dramedy Bridge and Tunnel.

The network has given a six-episode series order to the series, which is written, directed and produced by Edward Burns. It’s slated for a January 24, 2021 premiere.

The project, previously titled Gibson Station, was part of Epix’s 2020 development slate unveiled in January.

Set in 1980, Bridge and Tunnel revolves around a group of recent college grads setting out to pursue their dreams in Manhattan while still clinging to the familiarity of their working-class Long Island home town. Production is currently underway in New York.

In addition to Zumbado, the series’ ensemble cast includes Sam Vartholomeos, Caitlin Stasey, JanLuis Castellanos, Brian Muller and Isabella Farrell.

In addition to Burns, the series is also executive produced by his producing partner Aaron Lubin and Lori Keith Douglas. This is the second series from Epix Productions. Bridge and Tunnel will be internationally distributed by MGM.

Zumbado will portray Tammy. A sweet, studious, shy former high school Valedictorian, and recently admitted to Columbia Business School, Tammy is biding her time in the summer working as a waitress in the town diner, but finally telling the man she’s always loved her true feelings.

Castellanos is Mikey. Charming and frequently the object of desire, Mikey received his college degree in accounting to appease his family and fit in. With the help of Tammy, he begins to rediscover his passion as an artist, and confronts the idea of abandoning a safer path to consider a future in the arts.

Zumbado’s previous credits include Graceland, Scream: The TV Series, Criminal Minds and 9-1-1.

Castellanos’ previous credits include 13 Reasons Why, Runaways and Don’t Look Deeper.

Selena Gomez to Produce & Possibly Star in STXfilms’ Psychological Thriller “Dollhouse”

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is entering the dollhouse…

The 28-year-old Mexican American singer/actress has boarded STXfilms’ psychological thriller Dollhouse as a producer with an eye to also star.

The project is billed as being in the vein of Black Swan.

Gomez will produce through her July Moon Productions along with 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. A search is underway for a director for the script penned by Michael Paisley set in the upper echelon of New York City’s fashion scene.

“Selena’s involvement is an exciting direction for this project. She is supremely talented as both a star and a producer,” sayid STX films Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson. “Teaming Selena with Shawn and Dan’s expertise in the horror-thriller genre will elevate Dollhouse and we couldn’t be more thrilled by the way this is being developed.”

Gomez recently served as executive producer on Tri-Star’s romantic comedy Broken Hearts Gallery. She signed on to reprise her lead female role in Sony’s Hotel Transylvania 4 and will also executive produce. She can currently be seen on her HBO Max cooking series Selena+Chef, which she executive produces. Gomez will produce and star opposite Steve Martin and Martin Short in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Her feature acting credits include The Dead Don’t Die, The Big Short, and the Netflix original Fundamentals of Caring.

Gomez also executive produced Living Undocumented and the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.

CBS All Access Releases Teaser Trailer for Henry Zaga’s New Stephen King Series “The Stand”

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Henry Zaga is taking a Stand…

CBS All Access has released the first trailer for its limited series The Stand, starring the 27-year-old Brazilian actor.

The series is the latest adaptation of a beloved Stephen King novel.

The star-studded television take on King’s 1978 book centers on the author’s apocalyptic vision for a world ruined by a super plague and caught in the middle of the fight between good and evil.

The 30-second teaser trailer offers a taste of the adaptation with Whoopi Goldberg as Abigail Freemantle, followed by flashes the characters’ haunting journey.

In addition to Goldberg and Zaga, who portrays Nick Andros, the series also stars James Marsen, Jovan Adepo, Amber Heard and Daniel Sunjata.

The Stand is written by Josh Boone and Ben Cavell. It’s produced by CBS Television Studios and will premiere on CBS All Access on December 17.

Zaga’s previous television credits include 13 Reasons Why, Trinkets, Teen Wolf, and Looking for Alaska.

Selena Gomez to Star Opposite Steve Martin & Martin Short in Hulu’s Comedy Series “Only Murders in the Building”

Posted on August 8, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is teaming up with two comedy legends…

The 28-year-old Mexican American singer/actress, who rose to acclaim as the star of the Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place, will star alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short in Hulu‘s straight-to-series comedy Only Murders in the Building.

Ordered to series in January, the comedy created and written by Martin and John Hoffman revolves around three strangers who share an obsession with true crime who suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.

Gomez will play the third stranger alongside Short and Martin.

In addition to her co-starring role, Gomez will also executive produce the series alongside Martin, Hoffman, Short, This Is Uscreator Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal. It marks Gomez’s latest executive-producing gig following Netflix‘s 13 Reasons Why and the documentary Living Undocumented.

Only Murders in the Building is Gomez’s latest acting role following her roles in Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York and The Dead Don’t Die. Her other film credits include Spring Breakers, The Big Short, Monte Carlo and Fundamentals of Caring.

Gomez will next appear on HBO Max in her new cooking-while-quarantined series Selena + Chef, which will begin streaming later this month.

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