Ramirez to Star Opposite Matthew McConaughey in the Mining Drama “Gold”

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez is ready to mine his own business…

The 37-year-old Venezuelan actor, who starred in Zero Dark Thirty, will star opposite Matthew McConaughey in Black Bear Pictures’ upcoming mining drama Gold.

In the Stephen Gaghan-helmed project, Ramirez will portray geologist Michael Acosta opposite the Oscar winner’s role of prospector Walsh.

Written by Patrick Massett and John Zinman and based on the true story about the 1993 Bre-X Mineral Corporation mining scandal, the film revolves around the unlikely pair traveling to the Indonesian jungle in search of the highly valued soft metal of the title.

Production begins in June with filming in New York, New Mexico and Thailand.

Best known for playing 1970s terrorist Ilich Ramírez Sánchez in the 2010 miniseries Carlos, a role that earned him the César Award for Most Promising Actor, Ramirez’s more recent credits include David O. Russell’s Joy opposite Jennifer Lawrence and the Alcon reboot of Point Break, both of which are set for Christmas Day releases this year. Additionally, the actor stars as boxer Roberto Duran in the biopic Hands of Stone opposite Robert DeNiro. Hands of Stone is scheduled to hit the big screen in October.

Arvelo’s “The Liberator,” Starring Edgar Ramirez, Selected as Venezuela’s Oscar Submission for Foreign Language Film

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Alberto Arvelo is one step closer to a possible Oscar nomination…

The Venezuelan filmmaker’s latest project The Liberator has been selected to be the country’s submission to the Foreign Language Film category for the next Academy Awards, according to the Venezuelan paper Ultimas Noticias.

The paper reports that a selection of Venezuelan film industry professionals voted on Arvelo’s film earlier this week.

The voting was reportedly divided between The Liberator and Mariana Rondon’s indie drama Bad Hair, winner of the Golden Shell at the San Sebastian Film Festival last year.

An absolute rarity for local standards in terms of production value, The Liberator is a $50 million co-production between Spain and Venezuela about military and political leader Simon Bolivar, who commanded an army that freed a great part of the region from Spanish colonialism back in the 19th century, and is regarded as a forefather of South America, together with Argentine Jose de San Martin.

The epic period piece stars Venezuela’s most high profile international actor Edgar Ramírez (Carlos, Zero Dark Thirty) as Bolivar, with a score by the L. A. Philharmonic’s music director Gustavo Dudamel, and a script by Timothy J. Sexton, who co-wrote Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men.

The film’s unusually international crew also features Spanish cinematographer Xavi Gimenez (The Machinist, Agora), production designer Paul D. Austerberry (Twilight Saga: Eclipse), costume designer Sonia Grande (Midnight in Paris) and editor Tariq Anwar (American Beauty, The King’s Speech).

The Liberator opened in Venezuela on July 24, selling more than 500,000 tickets to date.

The film is scheduled for US release on October 3.

First Look: Ramírez as Simón Bolívar

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Édgar Ramírez’s transformation into one of the one of the most influential politicians in Latin American history is complete…

The the 35-year-old Venezuelan actor has completed his work as the star of the sweeping historical epic Libertador, which tells the story of Venezuelan military and political leader Simón Bolívar.

Directed by Alberto Arvelo, Libertador follows the life of Bolivar, who was instrumental in Latin America’s struggle for independence from the Spanish empire.

Along with portraying Bolívar, Ramírez will serve as an executive producer on the project, which is considered the largest independent South American production to date.

Libertador, now in post-production.

Meanwhile, L.A. Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel—who helped kick off the London 2012 Festival with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra—is scoring the Spanish, French and English-language pic in his feature film debut.

Ramirez, who earned critical acclaim for his performance in Carlos, will next appear on the big screen in U.S. theaters in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty, which opens in December.

In France, he’s currently in theaters in An Open Heart, starring opposite Juliette Binoche

Naranjo to Direct “A Man Must Die”

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Gerardo Naranjo’s stock in Hollywood continues to rise…

The 40-year-old Mexican filmmaker has just inked a deal with Focus Features to direct A Man Must Die.

Naranjo—who helmed Miss Bala, Mexico’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submission—wrote the script for the project. The film is described as a political thriller comparable to the critically acclaimed Carlos.

The news comes as 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment continue to develop the film adaptation of Charles Martin’s novel The Mountain Between Us for Naranjo to direct, with Michael Fassbender attached to star.

Ramirez to Portray El Libertador Simon Bolivar

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Édgar Ramírez is preparing to take on another real-life role…

Following his award-winning performance as Carlos the Jackal in 2010 biopic Carlos, the 35-year-old Venezuelan actor will portray Simón Bolívar in Libertador.

Bolívar was instrumental in Latin America’s struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire. Told from his point of view, the film will trace his expeditions, epic military campaigns and vision to unify South America. The Venezuelan military and political leader is considered one of the most influential politicians in American history.

Ramírez, who most recently starred in Wrath of the Titans, will also serve as an executive producer on the film project.

Along with Ramírez in the title role, the cast includes Danny Huston, María Valverde, Imanol Arias and Billy Elliot’s Gary Lewis.

Venezuelan filmmaker Alberto Arvelo, who directed Ramírez in his last feature, Cyrano Fernandez, is set to helm the project.

Meanwhile, L.A. Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel—who will be helping kick off the London 2012 Festival with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra—is scoring the Spanish, French and English-language pic.

Higareda Signs Talent Deal with Fox

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s known as “the Mexican Sandra Bullock”… But, Martha Higareda may soon be giving the real Sandra Bullock a run for her money.

The 28-year-old Mexican actress has signed a talent holding deal with Fox as part of the network’s initiative to find untapped Latin American talent, according to Deadline.com.

Higareda has had some presence in the United States. She’s appeared in Smokin’ Aces 2 and Street Kings, the CBS pilot Skip Tracer and most recently guest-starred on CSI: Miami. Additionally, Higareda appeared in the miniseries Carlos and Lifetime’s Lies In Plain Sight.

But the actress—the daughter of actress Martha Cervantes and artist Jose Luis Higareda—is best known in her native Mexico for her standout work opposite big name stars like Jaime Camil and Ximena Sariñana. Higareda even received a Mexican Academy Award nomination for her role in Fuega Del Cielo.

As part of her talent deal with Fox, Higareda will be exposed to producers and directors of the network’s current collection of pilots.

But Higareda isn’t the only Mexican actor to sign a talent deal with Fox…

Adan Canto, a rising star in Mexico but virtual Hollywood newbie is also on reserve for pilot season at Fox.

The 30-year-old Mexican actor/singer only has a handful of projects under his belt, but has apparently demonstrated a lot of potential.

No word on what projects Canto or Higareda may be under consideration for, but Fox currently has a Latino-themed project in the works: Silvio Horta’s Latino family dramedy centered on three sisters, which is being executive produced by Fox’s biggest Latina star, American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez.

Ramirez May Star in Bin Laden Movie…

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez may soon become a Navy SEAL in Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow’s movie about Osama Bin Laden.

The 34-year-old Venezuelan actor, who has starred in Carlos and The Bourne Ultimatum, is reportedly being considered for a role in the film, along with actress Jessica Chastain and actor Mark Strong, according to Deadline.com.

Directed by Bigelow, who became the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director for The Hurt Locker, the drama will reportedly tell the story of Navy SEAL Team 6′s
extensive hunt for the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Osama Bin Laden, who was finally killed in a covert mission last year.

The project isn’t without controversy. The Pentagon will reportedly investigate charges made by Rep. Peter King (R-NY) that Bigelow and her team somehow received inside information about the mission from the Obama Administration in preparing the script.

Despite the drama surrounding the drama, the script has been completed and Bigelow is expected to move forward with filming.

Sony Pictures has scheduled the film for release on December 19, to avoid this year’s presidential election.

Meanwhile, Ramirez will next star in Wrath of the Titans, a sequel to the recent Clash of the Titans reboot.

Star Trek 2: del Toro Out, Ramirez In?

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Edgar Ramirez received critical acclaim for his playing the infamous terrorist and murderer Carlos the Jackal in the TV miniseries Carlos… And, now he could be playing an out of this world baddie.

With Benicio del Toro no longer interested in starring as the villain in the sequel to the Star Trek reboot and production set to begin soon, J.J. Abrams is working ‘round the clock to cast the important role. And, he’s reportedly set his sights on Ramirez.

The 34-year-old Venezuelan actor is reportedly in talks to play the villain in Star Trek 2. Although Abrams hasn’t confirmed the role, several sources report the villain character in the film will be Khan. Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban played Khan in the classic Star Trek: Wrath of Khan.

Ramirez reportedly tested for the role via Skype this week.

But he isn’t the only Latino that Abrams is considering.

Jordi Mollà is reportedly in the running as well. The 43-year-old Spanish actor has starred in Colombiana, Knight and Day and Bad Boys 2.

Production on the new Star Trek movie is expected to begin on January 15, with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho and Anton Yelchin expected to return to the cast.

The movie is scheduled to hit theaters nationwide on May 17, 2013.

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