Bautista to Star in Netflix’s Sci-Fi Drama “Sense8”

Ness Bautista is preparing for a sense8-ational role.

The Latino actor has landed a recurring role on Sense8, Netflix‘s 10-episode sci-fi drama series from Lana and Andy Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski, which has been called as “a gripping global tale of minds linked and souls hunted” that incorporates the Wachowskis’ storytelling style.

Ness BautistaNess Bautista

“The series follows eight characters around the world who, in the aftermath of a tragic death, find themselves linked to each other mentally and emotionally,” Straczynski told Deadline.com last month. “They can not only see and talk to each other as though they were in the same place, they have access to each other’s deepest secrets. Not only must they figure out what happened and why and what it means for the future of humanity, they must do so while being hunted by an organization out to capture, kill or vivisect them.”

There’s no word on Bautista’s character in the series, which also stars Alfonso Herrera, Tuppence Middleton, Aml Ameen, Freema Agyeman, Tena Desae, Doona Bae, Max Riemelt,  Erendira Ibarra, Jamie Clayton and Miguel Silvestre.

He currently recurs on TNT’s The Last Ship and previously starred on The Shield, Beauty and the Beast and Prime Suspect.

Ortega to Direct the Disney Channel’s Live-Action Original Movie “Descendants”

Kenny Ortega will be bringing some evil descendants to life…

The 63-year-old Latino producer, director and choreographer, best known for directing the High School Musical trilogy, will be returning to the Disney Channel to helm the network’s Descendants.

Kenny Ortega

The network’s first live-action original movie tapping into Disney’s vault of classic fairytale characters, the contemporary adventure-comedy centers on the offspring of some of Disney’s most evil villains, introducing a modern generation of teenagers who question the evil that’s always been in their hearts.

“We mined Disney’s treasure trove of stories and developed a new, comedic approach to the fabled characters everyone knows and loves,” said Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Channels Worldwide. “The result is a modern and unexpected re-interpretation of classic heritage characters utilizing contemporary, relatable settings and themes.”

Descendants

Written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott, Descendants is set in a present-dayidyllic kingdom, where the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) is poised to take the throne. His first proclamation: offer a chance at redemption to the trouble-making offspring of Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar who have been imprisoned on a forbidden island with all the other villains, sidekicks, evil step-mothers and step-sisters. These villainous descendants (Carlos, Mal, Evvie and Jay, respectively) are allowed into the kingdom to attend prep school alongside the offspring of iconic Disney heroes including Fairy Godmother, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Mulan. However, the evil teens face a dilemma: Should they follow in their nefarious parents’ footsteps and help all the villains regain power or embrace their innate goodness and save the kingdom?

Casting is currently underway, overseen by High School Musical casting directors Natalie Hart and Jason La Padura, with production slated to begin in the spring for a 2015 premiere on Disney Channel.

del Toro to Direct a New Beauty and the Beast Project…

He’s helped bring a demonic beast to life on the big screen… And, now Guillermo del Toro is preparing to take on a beast and a beauty.

The 47-year-old Mexican filmmaker, who helmed Hellboy and Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, will reportedly direct Harry Potter star Emma Watson in Beauty.

Guillermo del Toro

An adaptation of the novel Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of the Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley, the film is being hailed as a new take on the Beauty and the Beast tale.

The deal with del Toro, who is currently shooting Pacific Rim in Toronto, has been in the works since last spring.

In addition to Beauty, the Pan’s Labyrinth director is helming Trollhunters and developing a Haunted Mansion movie, as well as reportedly attached to direct both a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and a Frankenstein project.