Barbara De Regil to Star in the Action-Thriller “Blackout”

Barbara De Regil is blacking out

The 33-year-old Mexican actress has been cast in the action-thriller Blackout, starring Josh DuhamelAbbie CornishNick Nolte and Omar Chaparro.

Barbara De Regil

Also joining are Jose Sefami and Hernan Del Riego. Shooting on the film is underway in Mexico City.

Blackout will follow Cain (Duhamel), who wakes up in a Mexican hospital with no memory. After meeting Anna (Cornish), he discovers who he is but soon finds himself fighting for his life as several warring cartel factions attack him, each looking for something he has stolen. Cain looks towards co-worker and mentor, DEA Agent McCoy (Nolte), for answers.

The Patriot Pictures (Synchronic) feature is being directed by Sam Macaroni, director of the VR fight sequences on John Wick: Chapter 3 – ParabellumThe script comes from Van B. Nguyen. XYZ will launch world sales at the upcoming American Film Market.

De Regil is best known for her starring role in the La Femme Nikita-inspired action-crime-thriller TV series Rosario Tijeras from Sony Pictures Television and TV Azteca.

She has also starred in lead roles in films like the comedy feature Loca Por El Trabajo, opposite Adriana Barraza, and, most recently, Netflix’s Spanish-language comedy feature, Mutiny of the Worker Bees, opposite Gustavo Egelhaaf and Mexican star Alejandro Suárez.

 

Robert Rodriguez to Direct Ben Affleck in the Action Thriller “Hypnotic”

Robert Rodriguez is ready to thrill…

The 51-year-old Mexican American filmmaker is set to direct Ben Affleck in the action thriller Hypnotic.

Robert Rodriguez

The film centers on a detective who, while investigating a string of impossible high-end heists, becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program.

The big budget film, which is reportedly set at $60m-$80m, comes from Studio 8 and Solstice Studios. And it’s the first project greenlit under a partnership between the two companies. 

Production is slated for April.

Rodriguez, Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinovand his colleagues Guy Danellaand John Grahamwill produce the film with Solstice, which will handle US distribution and launch international sales beginning at American Film Market.

“Working with Ben on his award-winning projects, including Argoand The Town, I have seen how his versatility and creativity has made him one of the most talented filmmakers both in front of and behind the camera,” said Robinov. “It’s very meaningful to be collaborating with Ben again on this uniquely riveting suspense thriller, and I know he and Robert will make a terrific film together.”

Rodriguez’s previous credits include El MariachiMachete, theSpy Kidsfranchise, Sin Cityand Sin City: A Dame to Kill Forand Alita: Battle Angel. 

Anabelle Acosta to Star in Millennium Media & CineTel Films’ “Kill Chain”

Anabelle Acosta is linked to a new project…

The 31-year-old Cuban actress will star opposite Ryan Kwanten in Kill Chain, the thriller from Millennium Media and CineTel Films toplined by Nicolas Cage.

Anabelle Acosta

Ken Sanzel wrote and directed the film, which has just wrapped production in Colombia and will be on offer later this month at the American Film Market.

The film opens with a hotel room shootout between two assassins, kicking off a long night where bodies fall like dominoes as we follow a chain of crooked cops, gangsters, hitmen, a femme fatale and an ex-mercenary through a relay of murder, betrayal, and revenge.

Enrico Colantoni and Alimi Ballard co-star.

Acosta’s previous credits include HBO’s comedy series Ballers and ABC’s thriller series Quantico.

XLrator Media Acquires U.S. Rights to Vargas’ “Crossing Point”

Jacob Vargas’ latest project is crossing into the United States…

XLrator Media has acquired the U.S. rights to Crossing Point, the film starring the 44-year-old Mexican actor.

Jacob Vargas

Along with Vargas, the action-thriller stars Rudy Youngblood (Apocalypto), Luke Goss (the Death Race series, Blade II), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan), Paulina Gaitan (Sin Nombre, Netflix’s Narcos), María Gabriela de Faría (Nickelodeon’s Isa TKM) and newcomer Shawn Lock.

It’s directed by Daniel Zirilli from a script by Paul Dominic and Lock.

Compound B, the genre division of Bleiberg Entertainment, is representing the sales rights to the film and will be introducing Crossing Point to international buyers at the American Film Market 2015.

XLrator Media will release the film in 2016 through its Turbo action label.

Rodriguez to Star in the Gender-Reassignment Thriller “Tomboy, A Revenger’s Tale”

Michelle Rodriguez has a new (re)assignment

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican-American actress will star in Tomboy, A Revenger’s Tale.

Michelle Rodriguez

Rodriguez, one of the stars of The Fast and the Furious films,will star in the title role in the crime noir thriller feature film opposite Sigourney Weaver.

Directed by Walter Hill from a screenplay he wrote based on a story by Denis Hamill, the film centers on an ace assassin (Rodriguez) who is double crossed by gangsters and a rogue plastic surgeon (Weaver). Rodriguez’s character is turned into a woman by Weaver.

The story becomes a trail of self-discovery and redemption against a criminal mastermind opponent.

Producers are eyeing a November 9 production start in Vancouver.

The Solution Entertainment Group will introduce it to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market

Rodriguez, who earned acclaim in her film debut Girlfight, most recently starred in Furious 7. She also voiced a character in the 2013 animated film Turbo.

Aguire’s “Boulevard” with Robin Williams Picked Up for International Distribution

Roberto Aguire’s latest project is destined to hit theaters internationally.

The Mexican American actor stars opposite Robin Williams in the domestic drama Boulevard, in which Williams portrays as a lonely married man who begins to confront the emptiness that permeates his life.

Roberto Aguire

Aguire plays a troubled young street hustler named Leo in the film that would become Williams’ final feature following his untimely death earlier this year.

Boulevard, from Dito Montiel, has been picked up for international distribution by Inception Film Partners and will be sold during the American Film Market next month in Santa Monica.

Along with Williams and Aguire, the film also stars Kathy Baker and Bob Odenkirk. Douglas Soesbe penned the script.

“Robin Williams’ performance as a man in a heartbreaking struggle to find his place in the world is both heroic and poignant and Boulevard is an extraordinary coda to an indelible performer’s life,” said Inception partner Andy Reimer.

Aguire’s first major film role was in the 2012 film Struck by Lightning.

Sanchez’s Latest Horror Film “Exists” Gets International Distribution

Eduardo Sanchez’s latest project will be spooking people throughout the world…

Entertainment One has picked up multiple territories for the 46-year-old Cuban American director’s found-footage horror film Exists, taking the title in Germany, France, Benelux, Scandinavia and South Africa.

Eduardo Sanchez

The company previously bought the U.K. rights for the Bigfoot-themed chiller from world sales agent International Film Trust (IFT) at the American Film Market in November.

The multiterritory deal was negotiated by IFT president Christian de Gallegos. IFT also sold Exists to Japan (AT Entertainment), the Middle East (Shooting Stars), Taiwan (Well Go) and CIS (Luxor) among many other territories.

Written by Jamie Nash (V/H/S 2), Exists follows five friends who head into the woods of Texas for an epic party weekend. Once there, they are confronted by the vicious reality behind the Bigfoot myth.

Exists has managed to scare people in the perfect way, and we are delighted at the enthusiastic response from buyers,” said de Gallegos.

Sanchez is credited with helping to invent the genre of found-footage horror films when he co-directed the psychological horror film The Blair Witch Project with Daniel Myrick in 1999. It earned the pair the inaugural Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award from Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers.

His other credits include Altered, Seventh Moon and Lovely Molly.

Saldaña to Star in Miles Davis Biopic from Don Cheadle

There’s no doubt Zoë Saldaña is pretty jazzed about her next project…

The 35-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress has joined the cast of Kill the Trumpet Player, Don Cheadle‘s project about legendary jazz pioneer Miles Davis.

Zoe Saldana

Cheadle will play the late musician and work behind the lens in his directorial debut. The long-delayed biopic will follow “the virtuoso, fighter and genius as he bursts out of his silent period and conspires with a Rolling Stone writer to steal his music back.” 

Saldaña will portray Frances Davis, the former wife of the trumpet player in the film, which has received financing from BiFrost Pictures.

Meanwhile, Ewan McGregor will play a Rolling Stone reporter in the film.

Cheadle also co-wrote the script with Steven Baigelman to explore the story of a few dangerous days in Davis’ life. The late star’s collaborator Herbie Hancock is confirmed to be involved in the project as well.

Cheadle said at the American Film Market that the movie wouldn’t be a traditional biopic.

“Let’s kill that term, OK? I hope with this film we can kill the biopic. This film won’t try to give a broad overview of Davis’ life and give short shrift to this man’s story,” he said. “For us as creative people, the time of his life that was most interesting was the five years when he wasn’t playing, when he was silent. What was going on in his mind? And how did he come out of it and return to music?”

Production is expected to begin next summer.

No release date has been set in stone.

It’s the latest movie-themed project for Saldaña…

Last year, the Star Trek Into Darkness was cast to portray songstress Nina Simone in a biopic about the legendary singer.