LD Entertainment & Variance Films to Release Rene Rosado-Starrer “National Anthem” In Theaters This Summer

Rene Rosado’s latest project is heading to a theater near you.

LD Entertainment will partner with Variance Films on the theatrical release of National Anthem, the queer ranching drama starring the 41-year-old Puerto Rican actor.

Rene RosadoThe feature directorial debut of Luke Gilford, which debuted at last year’s SXSW, also stars Charlie Plummer, Eve Lindley, Mason Alexander Park and Robyn Lively.

National Anthem will be released in the U.S. on July 12.

Immersed in the world of a rural queer ranching community, and set against the exuberant, real-life International Gay Rodeo AssociationNational Anthem is billed as a celebration of first love and chosen family. The protagonist of the film is Dylan (Plummer), a 21-year-old working in construction in New Mexico who joins a community of queer rodeo performers in search of their own version of the American dream.

Said Variance’s Dylan Marchetti and Kristen Osborne: “Variance’s mission is to help people find joy at the movie theater, and Luke’s incredible vision is a perfect fit. National Anthem is a celebration of so many things that TRULY make America great- love, our beautiful open spaces (shot in glorious 35mm, no less), and finding your family no matter where you may live- because no matter where you live, your family is out there waiting for you. We can’t wait for audiences to glam up and find theirs at theaters everywhere this summer!”

Added LD’s Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon: “We have been impressed with Variance’s commitment to providing a re-imagined look at independent film releases. It is within the theater that audiences come together as a community to have fun and take home a message that resonates. Luke’s film embodies this same spirit, one that is a ballad to young love and finding yourself. We are beyond thrilled to invite audiences, cowboys, and drag queens alike to the rodeo.”

Andy Garcia to Star in the Courtroom Drama “Miranda’s Victim”

Andy Garcia is heading to court…

The 66-year-old Cuban actor will star in the courtroom drama Miranda’s Victim from director Michelle Danner, with production on the project underway in New Jersey.

Andy GarciaGarcia will star opposite Abigail BreslinLuke Wilson and Donald Sutherland  in the film, which is written by J. Craig Stiles and George Kolber.

The film will tell the true story of Trish Weir (Breslin), who in 1963 was kidnapped and brutally raped by Ernesto Miranda. Committed to putting her assailant in prison, Trish’s life is destroyed by America’s legal system as she triggers a law that transforms the nation.

Wilson will play Lawrence Turoff, the country prosecutor that convinces Trish to testify and helps her bring her aggressor to justice, with Garcia as public defender Alvin Moore, who takes on Miranda’s case, and Sutherland as Judge Wren, who convicts Miranda for the rape of Weir.

Danner and Kolber are producing alongside Valerie Debler, Brian Drillinger and Alexandra Guarnieri.

The production company involved is Navesink River Productions.

“The first time I read George Kolber’s riveting script and learned about Trish’s experience, it moved and inspired me,” said Danner. “”Miranda’s Victim” puts us at the intersection between a brutal rape case and and a national movement for civil liberties.”

Garcia is an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee whose recent film credits include Guy Ritchie’s Jason Statham actioner Wrath of Man; the comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, with Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo and Jamie Dornan; the romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls, with Charlie Plummer and Taylor Russell; Clint Eastwood’s crime drama, The Mule; Sacha Gervasi’s Emmy-nominated TV movie My Dinner with Hervé for HBO; Ol Parker’Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again; and the comedy Book Club, with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen.

The actor’s credits on the television side include RebelFlipped and Ballers.

He’ll next be seen in Warner Bros. and HBO Max’s Father of the Bride; the romantic drama What About Love, with Sharon Stone; and Lionsgate’s The Expendables 4.

Victor Rasuk to Star in the Coming-of-Age Dark Comedy “Wildflower”

Victor Rasuk’s career is in full bloom…

The 37-year-old Dominican American actor has been cast in Limelight and eOne’s Wildflower

Victor RasukRasuk is among a roster of new cast additions that includes two-time Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kannon Omachi, Brad Garrett, Reid Scott, Erika Alexander and Chris Mulkey

They join Jean SmartKiernan ShipkaAlexandra DaddarioDash MihokCharlie Plummer and Samantha Hyde.

Matt Smukler is directing; Jana Savage is writing.

Based on Smukler’s family, Wildflower is a coming-of-age dark comedy that follows Bea Johnson from birth to graduation as she navigates life with a parent with an intellectual disability and an extended family that can’t quite agree on the best way to help.

Rasuk’s previous credits include ABC’s short-lived series The Baker and the Beauty, Jack Ryan and Colony.

Bacardi Family’s Trials & Tribulations in 1950s Cuba Getting the Television Treatment

The life story of Facundo Bacardí Massó and his family is heading to the small screen…

MiLu Entertainment and Ian Reichbach are developing a television series based on the Bacardi family’s experiences in 1950s Cuba.

Bacardi Family in Cuba

Reichbach is adapting NPR correspondent Tom Gjelten’s well-received book Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba, which fuses the story of the Bacardi family’s famous rum business with Cuba’s tumultuous experience over the last 150 years, including Cuba’s fight for freedom, its tortured relationship with America, and the rise of Fidel Castro.

Andre L III of MiLu Entertainment is producing the bilingual English-Spanish series with 6GEN Films, which consists of Bacardi family members Mari Aixalá, Pepin R. Argamasilla and Juan Bergaz Pessino of Bergaz Productions.

“It’s time to tell the untold story of the Bacardi family,” said Andre L III of MiLu. “Authenticity and passion are the key to great storytelling and it has been a privilege to collaborate with the foremost authorities on the history of the most iconic Cuban family.”

Reichbach is a regular collaborator with Aaron Sorkin, having served as a writer and executive story editor on The Newsroom, and a researcher on movies including Charlie Wilson’s WarMoneyballThe Social Network and The Trial Of The Chicago 7.

MiLu Entertainment’s slate includes features The Thicket, which has Noomi Rapace, Peter Dinklage, Sophia Lillis and Charlie Plummer attached.

Michael Peña to Star in Roland Emmerich’s Sci-Fi Epic “Moonfall”

Michael Peña is out of this world

The 45-year-old Mexican American actor has been cast in the Roland Emmerich-helmed sci-fi epic Moonfall.

Michael Peña

Peña joins an A-list ensemble cast that includes Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Eme Ikwuakor, Charlie Plummer and Donald Sutherland.

The space drama takes off with a mysterious force that knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. With mere weeks before impact, and against all odds, a ragtag team launches an impossible last-ditch mission into space, leaving behind everyone they love and risking everything to land on the lunar surface and save our planet from annihilation.

Peña is taking over the role previously held by Stanley Tucci, who had to exit the project due to government-imposed travel restrictions banning UK flights into Canada.

Peña will play Tom Lopez, a wealthy car dealer who is married to Brian Harper’s (Wilson) ex-wife, the loving and fierce Brenda, played by Carolina Bartczak.

Emmerich, Harald Kloser, and Spenser Cohen penned the screenplay.

Centropolis is overseeing all aspects of production, financing, delivery, and distribution and marketing in collaboration with Lionsgate, AGC Studios, and other distribution partners. Lionsgate is distributing the film in North America.

Moonfall is set to hit theaters in 2022.

Peña will soon be seen starring in the Warner Bros. live-action/animation hybrid Tom & Jerry, slated to debut on HBO Max and in theaters on February 26.

Noomi Rapace to Star in the Thriller “The Thicket”

Noomi Rapaceis in the thick(et)of it…

The 40-year-old half-Spanish actress will star in the thriller The Thicket.

Noomi Rapace

Rapace will star opposite Peter Dinklage,Sophia Lillis andCharlie Plummer in the film, which iscurrently in pre-production.

The Thicketis based on the novel by author Joe R. Lansdale, with a script by Chris Kelley, and will be directed by Elliott Lester.

The story follows an innocent young man named Jack (Plummer) who goes on an epic quest to rescue his sister (Lillis) after she is kidnapped by violent killer “Cut Throat Bill” (Rapace) and her gang. Jack enlists the help of a crafty bounty hunter named Reginald Jones (Dinklage), a grave-digging alcoholic son of an ex-slave, and a street-smart prostitute. The three track the girl into the deadly no-man’s land known as The Big Thicket — a place where blood and chaos reign.

Galo Olivares will serve as director of photography.

Rapace rose to acclaim in the Swedish film adaptations of the Millennium series: The Girl with the Dragon TattooThe Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest. Her other credits include Sherlock Holmes: A Game of ShadowsPrometheus and Child 44.

Henry Zaga to Star in Hulu’s Limited Series “Looking for Alaska”

Henry Zaga is ready for a little northern exposure…

The 26-year-old Brazilian actor has landed a recurring role opposite Charlie Plummer and Kristine Froseth in Looking for Alaska, Hulu’s eight-episode limited series based on John Green’s novel.

Henry Zaga

Looking for Alaska is told through the eyes of teenager Miles “Pudge” Halter (Plummer), as he enrolls in boarding school to try to gain a deeper perspective on life. He falls in love with Alaska Young (Froseth), and finds a group of loyal friends. But after an unexpected tragedy, Miles and his close friends must attempt to uncover the truth and make sense of what they’ve been through.

The series hails from Paramount Television and Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s Fake Empire.

Zaga will portray Jake, Alaska’s impossibly handsome, floppy-haired, college-aged boyfriend, funny and adorable.

Schwartz wrote the pilot and will serve as executive producer and showrunner. 

Zaga can next be seen in the upcoming Fox film The New Mutants, which will be released August 2. He previously starred in the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.

Andy Garcia to Star in “Words On Bathroom Walls”

Andy Garcia is taking a bathroom break…

The 62-year-old Cuban actor has been cast in LD Entertainment’s Words On Bathroom Walls from director Thor Freudenthal.

Andy Garcia

Garcia joins a cast that includes Charlie Plummer, Taylor Russell, AnnaSophia Robb, Walton Goggins and Molly Parker.

Based on Julia Walton’s debut novel, the story follows the character of Adam (Plummer) as he tries to navigate high school life while living with paranoid schizophrenia and battling wild hallucinations. Luckily, an experimental drug trial promises to help hide his illness from his peers and most importantly from Maya, the girl of his dreams.

Garcia will portray Father Patrick, the kind and unexpectedly witty priest at the private high school Adam attends.

Nick Naveda wrote the screenplay.

Garcia will next appear in the films Book Club and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.