Bleecker Street Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Ariana DeBose’s Sci-Fi Thriller “I.S.S.”

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is heading out of this world… and into U.S. theaters.

After its critically acclaimed world premiere at the this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, LD Entertainment’s sci-fi thriller I.S.S. starring the 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress and singer, has been picked up for U.S. release by Bleecker Street.

The film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite from Nick Shafir’s script will hit theaters nationwide at a date that has not been disclosed.

I.S.S. marks Bleecker’s second collaboration with Cowperthwaite following 2017’s Megan Leavey, and its fourth with LD, which in addition to that true-life military drama, produced their films Anthropoid and Teen Spirit from Sean Ellis and Max Minghella, respectively.

The film follows two crews of scientists — one group American, the other Russian — aboard the International Space Station, as they conduct research towards the betterment of humanity. Soon, however, international tensions on Earth escalate in unpredictable ways and the teams are commanded to take control of the station at any cost.

The cast also includes Chris Messina, Pilou Asbæk, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin and Masha Mashkova.

DeBose won an Academy Award for her performance in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story retelling.

Redband Trailer Released for Sony/Marvel’s “Kraven the Hunter,” Featuring Ariana DeBose

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is kraven box office attention…

The first redband trailer for Kraven the Hunter, featuring the 32-year-old Afro-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress, has been released.

The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the story of an epic journey that leads Sergei Kravinoff to become one of Marvel’s most iconic villains.

DeBose stars are Calypso, a voodoo priestess and Kraven’s love interest.

In the comics, Kraven has encountered Venom, Black Panther and many others as well as served as one of Spider-Man’s best-known and most-formidable enemies.

Weakness is not tolerated, as the future Kraven is told repeatedly. Suffice it to say that eventually is not a problem.

In addition to Taylor-Johnson and DeBose, the film also stars Russell Crowe, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola and Christopher Abbott.

Sony Pictures’ first R-rated pic from its litany of Marvel characters is directed by J.C. Chandor from a screenplay by Art Marcum & Matt Holloway and Richard Wenk.

The studio opens the film wide in theaters on October 6, after originally being slated for January 13 this year.

Disney Animation Releases First Trailer for Ariana DeBose’s “Wish”

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is looking to the stars…

Disney has dropped the first trailer for Wish, the Disney Animation film, featuring the 32-year-old Afro-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress voicing the lead role.

“Imagine a place where wishes come true,” starts the trailer, which introduces 17-year-old Asha, played by DeBose, the powerful King Magnifico (Chris Pine), Asha’s pet goat Valentino (Alan Tudyk), and Star, a celestial ball of boundless energy that Asha’s wish calls down from the sky.

It also features DeBose’s princess belting out a powerful anthem, “So I Made This Wish” as she swirls around underneath a starry sky. It’s one of several new songs written by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice for the film.

The film is set in Rosas, a fantastical land located off the Iberian Peninsula. “Our heroine, Asha, lives in Rosas, known as the kingdom of wishes,” said director Chris Buck, who helms the film with Fawn Veerasunthorn. “People come from everywhere to give their wishes to a magical king who promises to grant their deepest desires—someday. Only he can decide which wishes will come true and when.”

Added Veerasunthorn, “We have been inspired by so many iconic films over Disney Animation’s 100 years, especially stories where we explore the power of someone with a wish, combined with the conviction to make that wish come true. Being able to honor that legacy with this incredible story and these amazing characters has been a joy for our entire team.”

In Wish, Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

The film is produced by Peter Del Vecho and co-produced by Juan Pablo Reyes. Jennifer Lee executive produces and serves as writer with Allison Moore. The score is composed by Dave Metzger.

Wish debuts in theaters on November 22.

Ariana DeBose to Return as Host of This Year’s Tony Awards Ceremony

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose will be heading back to the Tony Awards…

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress/singer will return as host of this year’s Tony Awards ceremony.

DeBose, who earned a Tony nomination for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, hosted last year’s broadcast to general acclaim.

This year’s event, the 76th Annual Tony Awards, will air live from United Palace in New York City’s Washington Heights on Sunday, June 11, on CBS.

“I was honored to serve as host last year and even more so to be asked back,” DeBose said in a statement. “So looking forward to celebrating this incredible season and the people who make the work happen. Here’s to adding some uptown flavor to the magic of the Tony Awards.”

Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League said in a joint statement that DeBose is a “force both on and off the stage,” and that the event presenters and producers are “thrilled to welcome back one of Broadway’s brightest lights to dazzle, inspire and illuminate this year’s Tony Awards.”

“Ariana will host and dance and sing, we’re so thrilled she’s back to do the thing,” said Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, Executive Producers, White Cherry Entertainment.

DeBose won an Oscar last year for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and was Tony-nominated in 2018 for her role as “Disco Donna” in Broadway’s Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Other stage credits include Hamilton, A Bronx Tale, Pippin and Motown the Musical, among others.

Notable television and film credits include the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! and the Netflix adaptation of the Broadway musical The Prom. She’ll next be seen in the feature films Kraven the Hunter, Wish, House of Spoils, Argylle and I.S.S.

The 76th Tonys celebration will recognize Broadway productions of the 2022-2023 season. The Tony Awards eligibility cut-off date for the season is Thursday, April 27; nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 2.

The 76th Annual Tony Awards will air live Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm PT on CBS, and stream live and in-demand on Paramount+.

Pedro Pascal to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Show

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Pedro Pascal is headed to the Oscars…

The 47-year-old Chilean actor appears on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ final list of names chosen as presenters for the 95th annual Academy Awards.

In addition to Pascal, the latest round of stars set to present includes Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Paul Dano, Cara Delevingne, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Olsen and John Travolta, executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner and executive producer Molly McNearney have announced.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, at Ovation’s Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Previously announced Oscars presenters include Riz Ahmed, Halle Bailey, Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Florence Pugh, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Donnie Yen.

Antonio Banderas to Serve as Presenter During Academy Awards Show

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Antonio Banderas is headed to the Oscars…

The 62-year-old Spanish actor and director has been added to the presenter ranks for this weekend’s Academy Awards show by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS).

Banderas is among a list of recently added presenters that includes Halle Bailey, Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman, Florence Pugh and Sigourney Weaver.

They join the previously announced Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña and Donnie Yen.

More presenters will be revealed during the week.

The latest adds to Hollywood’s Big Night come just as Oscar voting is set to end, with ballots due at 5 p.m. PT tonight.

The months-long awards season culminates with the 95th annual Academy Awards, which will be handed out Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

ABC will air the ceremony live coast-to-coast starting at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET, along with more than 200 countries around the world.

Sony Lands Global Rights to Ariana DeBose’s Upcoming Film “My Ex-Friend’s Wedding”

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a moment of wedding bliss for Ariana DeBose.

Sony has landed global rights to the Sister comedy My Ex-Friend’s Wedding, starring the 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress/singer.

To be directed by Kay Cannon, the film is penned by New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid and Ashley Rodger, with revisions by Cannon.

In addition to DeBose, the cast includes Chloe Fineman, Megan Stalter and Amanda Seyfried.

In the film heading into production this summer, four childhood best friends get a drunken voicemail from their former best friend on the eve of her wedding day — confessing that she thinks she’s making a mistake — then setting out to stop her wedding and rekindle the friendship they once shared.

Sister acquired the My Ex-Friend’s Wedding spec script in a competitive situation after it was developed by production and management company, Circle of Confusion.

Ariana DeBose to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Show

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is returning to the Oscars stage…

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer, who made Oscar history with her Best Supporting Actress win last year, will be a presenter at this year’s Academy Awards show.

No doubt DeBose will present the award for Best Supporting Actor per long standing Academy tradition.

The announcement comes on the heels of DeBose’s much talked about rap tribute to BAFTA’s actress nominees at the BAFTA awards ceremony.

CODA Best Supporting Actor winner Troy Kotsur will also return to the Dolby Theatre, this time as a presenter.

Last year’s Live Action Short Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, eight-time nominee Glenn Close, Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly, past Honorary Oscar recipient Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Creed III’s Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Oscar winner Questlove, Zoe Saldaña and Donnie Yen will all be onstage at the Oscars.

Final Oscar balloting is underway. The 9,579 eligible Academy voters are now going to make their choices, and they have only until March 7 at 5:00 pm PT to do so.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on March 12 at 8:00 pm ET/5 pm PT from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

The producers will continue to announce talent joining the show leading up to the ceremony. They already have been rolling out talent taking part in performances of songs up in the Original Song category.

Jenna Ortega to Serve as Presenter at This Weekend’s SAG Awards Ceremony

Posted on February 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Win or lose, Jenna Ortega will take the SAG Awards stage…

The Screen Actors Guild has announced the latest group of presenters for Sunday’s SAG Awards ceremony, with the 20-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress set to participate.

Ortega is nominated in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series category for her starring role in Netflix’s acclaimed series Wednesday, which has been renewed for a second season.

In addition to Ortega, the list of recently added presenters includes Jason Bateman, Jeff Bridges, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Zendaya, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, Matt Bomer, Ariana DeBose, Eugene Levy and Amy Poehler.

Previously announced presenters for the 29th annual ceremony include Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jovan Adepo, Diego Calva and Li Jun Li.

The SAG Awards are set for Sunday, February 28, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The ceremony, featuring the winners in the guild’s 15 acting categories, will stream live on Netflix’s YouTube channel.

Ariana DeBose to Appear on Season Two of AppleTV’s “Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock”

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is heading back to the rock…

Apple TV+ has renewed its Emmy-winning series Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock for a second season, with the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer added as a guest star.

DeBose will be joined by Daveed Diggs, who appeared in the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Night of the Lights holiday special, as well as Brett Goldstein and Catherine O’Hara in guest-starring roles.

Production on Season 2 of the reboot of Jim Henson’s beloved classic Fraggle Rock is underway in Calgary, Canada.

In Season 2, big changes affecting the Rock, the Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs will force them to confront their past and celebrate their interdependence, as they move through challenges together with hope, silliness, and brand new songs, all while dancing their cares away…down at Fraggle Rock.

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock was recently recognized by the Sentinel Awards for outstanding Children’s Programming and is coming off four nominations by the inaugural Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series, and winning for Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design.

The complete first season of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Night of the Lights holiday special are now streaming on Apple TV+.

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