Luis Guzmán Launching Own Production Company ‘Mascot Camp Productions’

Luis Guzmán is expanding his resume…

The 66-year-old Puerto Rican actor is launching his own production company, Mascot Camp Productions.

Luis GuzmanMascot Camp has already formed a partnership with Rescue Dog Productions, Matthew Dwyer and Michael Hollingsworth, to finance the first two years of productions, consisting of plans to make six feature films and four television series.

The company plans to get the ball rolling with the release of two feature films: Enough, a feature film about a trans man and his family; and 6 Rounds, which tells the story of how a gun and the six bullets inside it changed a town forever.

Guzmán, John LaBrucherie, Dwyer and Hollingsworth will all be executive producers.

“I’m excited to take this journey with an amazing group of talented individuals,” said Guzmán. “Born out of friendship and family this team is ready to create visual stories that will uplift and inspire. Our partnership with Rescue Dog Productions gives us the opportunity to tell the stories we want to tell in the way it should be told.”

Guzmán and LaBrucherie aim to establish a production company that will create uplifting stories that impact not only the industry but larger communities and cultures. The team includes his co-founder, Manny Padilla, Christopher Cope of Orbital Studios and Raleigh Studios, Michele LaBrucherie, Cemi Guzmán, founder of Dark Rabbit Productions, and Hector Kron.

“The aggressive production plan in place is meant to immediately impact the current viewing environment. Ten original stories that matter. This rollout is designed to maintain our presence on the air year round. Our strength is in our numbers and our diversity. Through inclusion and outreach we have already began the development beyond this two year plan. The mascots are coming and we are here to stay,“ John LaBrucherie said.

Guzmán has had a prolific career for the past few decades, making him one of the most recognizable character actors of modern times.

In addition to his appearance in the hit Netflix series Wednesday, he has logged credits in countless TV series like Code Black, Hightown, Shameless and Perpetual Grace, LTD.

He has also starred in films like Boogie Nights, Traffic, Punch-Drunk Love and Carlito’s Way.

Ortiz Cast in Disney’s “The Finest Hours”

John Ortiz’s finest hour has arrived…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican actor, director and producer has joined the cast of Disney’s The Finest Hours, which chronicles the massive rescue mission that’s launched when a pair of oil tankers split in two off the coast of Cape Cod in 1952.

John Ortiz

Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film stars Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, as well as Keiynan Lonsdale, Michael Raymond James and Rachel Brosnahan

Seen recently in Fox Searchlight’s The DropOrtiz will play A.B. Seaman Wallace Quirey.

His recent credits also include Michael Mann’s upcoming feature Blackhat as well as a recurring role on HBO’s Togetherness.

His other film credits include Carlito’s Way, Miami Vice and American Gangster.

Leguizamo’s Film “Fugly!” to Be Released This Summer

Things are about to get Fugly! for John Leguizamo at the box office…

The 48-year-old Colombia-born comedian/actor’s autobiographical film Fugly! will be released in the United States this summer through 108 Media, according to IndieWire.com.

John Leguizamo

The film is an adaptation of the two-time Tony nominee’s one-man Broadway show Ghetto Klown, which traces Leguizamo’s journey from a young aspiring actor in New York City to his extensive Hollywood career in films like Carlito’s Way, Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge! and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.

Fugly! co-stars Rosie Perez, Radha Mitchell, Griffin Dunne, Yul Vasquez, Tomas Milian and Ally Sheedy.

John Leguizamo III
Ghetto Klown, which opened on Broadway in March 2011, closed in July 10 after 95 performances. The production earned Leguizamo a Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. The show then moved in to play in Los Angeles in September 2011, before moving to London’s Charing Cross Theatre the following month.

The news of Fugly!’s release comes on the heels of the announcement that ABC has placed a pilot order for a television sitcom based on Leguizamo’s life.

Guzman Journeys Into His First 3D Film

He’s one of Hollywood’s most beloved Latino character actors… But, Luis Guzman has never appeared in a 3D film… until now!

The 55-year-old Puerto Rican actor is starring in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.

Luis Guzman

“It’s my first 3D film and, truthfully, it looks stupendously good. Just like my role!” says Guzman with a chuckle to EFE. “I think that 3D is important today and it will be part of the future of movies, but I also think that they’re never going to replace us actors.”

Starring Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson and Vanessa Hudgens, the family adventure film centers on Sean Anderson (Hutchgerson), who partners with his mom’s boyfriend (Johnson) a mission to find his grandfather, thought to be missing on a mythical island.

journey-2-the-mysterious-island-poster

It’s been almost two decades since moviegiers first saw Guzman’s shady-looking face in Carlito’s Way (1993), the film in which he played Al Pacino’s bodyguard. Since then actor has become an ongoing presence in Hollywood with his scene-stealing roles.

“I think that part of my secret is that I do good work, I have a good heart and I’m a good person,” Guzman told Efe. “I get along well with people and I have great respect for directors, producers and actors. Hollywood has given me so much love.”

Guzman’s film credits include Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, Out of Sight and Traffic. He most recently starred in the two seasons of HBO’s How to Make It in America.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, the sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth, open this Friday in theaters nationwide.