Olga Merediz to Star in A24’s Rom-Com “Eternity”

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Olga Merediz isn’t waiting an eternity to lock in her next project.

The 68-year-old Cuban actress and singer has joined the cast alongside John Early of A24’s Eternity.

The romantic comedy, in which people must decide who they want to spend eternity with, also stars Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

David Freyne is directing the movie; Pat Cunnane wrote the script, which appeared on the 2022 Black List.

A24 is financing and distributing the rom-com, as well as producing with Star Thrower Entertainment and its founders Trevor White and Tim White. The film is currently in production.

Merediz is best known for originating the role of Abuela Claudia in the Broadway musical In the Heights. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance, and she reprised the role in Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation.

Merediz also voiced a role in Disney’s animated musical hit Encanto, and her television credits include Orange Is the New Black and Shades of Blue.

Hulu Releases First-Look Trailer for Season 4 of Selena Gomez’s “Only Murders in the Building”

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is leaving the building and headed to Hollywood…

Hulu has released a teaser trailer for the fourth season of its acclaimed comedy series Only Murders in the Building, starring the 31-year-old Mexican American actress/singer.

Declared as the show’s “starriest season yet,” the new season will premiere on August 27.

In the new season, Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Gomez) leave their beloved Arconia and the New York area.

The first trailer explains why the trio will be making the cross-country trip to Hollywood and showcases Charles’ negotiation skills (or lack thereof).

It also reveals Melissa McCarthy among new cast additions, joining returning Only Murders in the Building players Meryl Streep, Jane Lynch, Michael Cyril Creighton and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as well as fellow newcomers Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Zach Galifianakis, Molly Shannon, Kumail Nanjiani and Richard Kind.

In conjunction with the trailer release, Hulu has revealed the most detailed Season 4 description to date.

Charles (Martin), Oliver (Short) & Mabel (Gomez) wrestle with the shocking events at the end of season three surrounding Charles’ stunt double & friend Sazz Pataki (Lynch). Questioning whether Sazz or Charles was the intended victim, our trio’s investigation leads them all the way to Los Angeles where a Hollywood studio is readying a film about the Only Murders podcast. As our amateur sleuths race back to New York, they embark on an even more epic journey — traversing their building’s courtyard to delve into the twisted lives of the Arconia’s West Tower residents.

Only Murders in the Building hails from co-creators and writers Martin and John Hoffman. Martin and Hoffman executive produce along with Short, Gomez, Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal.

The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.

Gigi Zumbado to Star in Simon West’s “Bride Hard”

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Gigi Zumbado is going hard…

The Cuban American actress has been added to the cast of Simon West’s Bride Hard, starring Rebel Wilson.

Zumbado is among a list of cast newcomers that includes Anna Camp, Justin Hartley, Anna Chlumsky, Stephen Dorff and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

In addition, the film also features Sam Huntington, Sherry Cola and Michael O’Neill.

Bride Hard stars Wilson as a badass secret agent who is a force to be reckoned with as a mercenary group takes hostage her best friend’s lavish wedding. The indie feature was cleared for a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement.

The film was written by Shaina Steinberg from a story by Steinberg and CeCe Pleasants.

Bride Hard just wrapped production in Savannah, GA.

WME Independent is handling worldwide sales; production financing is provided by East West Bank.

Zumbado’s previous credits include Pitch Perfect 2 and The Rookie.

Colman Domingo to Receive TIFF Tribute Performer Award at Toronto International Film Festival

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is getting a special tribute…

The 53-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist will be honored with the Toronto International Film Festival‘s TIFF Tribute Performer Award, an accolade that has gone to many eventual Academy Award winners in the recent past.

Though the honor is billed as one for his overall career and for his performance in TIFF’s presentation of the new film Sing Sing, Domingo’s name has been heavily touted as one to watch in the upcoming race for the Best Actor Oscar, particularly for his work in director George C. Wolfe‘s Bayard Rustin biopic Rustin, which will also premiere at TIFF this year.

TIFF’s Tribute Awards have gone to significant contenders in past Oscar races, including Joker‘s Joaquin Phoenix, The Father star Anthony Hopkins, Nomadland director Chloé Zhao, The Eyes of Tammy Faye performer Jessica Chastain, and The Whale‘s Brendan Fraser — all of whom went on to win Oscars for their respective projects.

In Rustin, Domingo plays the titular queer activist as he plans the 1963 March on Washington, with Chris Rock, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald co-starring.

“Colman Domingo’s performances are a masterclass in the art of storytelling,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey in a press statement. “Domingo’s presence, on stage and on screen, is a gift to audiences, and his work continues to resonate, leaving an indelible impact. He is a true visionary in the world of performance, and we’re excited to honor him this year.”

The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 7-17, with the TIFF Tribute Awards ceremony occurring on Sunday, September 10.

Rustin debuts in select theaters on November 3, 2023 and hits Netflix on November 17.

Salma Hayek to Reprise Kitty Softpaws Role in “Puss in Boots” Sequel “The Last Wish”

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek Pinault is pawing her way back to the big screen…

The 55-year-old Mexican actress will reprise the role of Kitty Softpaws in the long-awaited Puss in Boots movie sequel The Last Wish.

Hayek will re-team with Antonio Banderas, who voices the titular feline character, on the animated film.

Hayek and Banderas will contend with a third amigo this time around as Harvey Guillén (makes his franchise debut in the role of Perro, Kitty and Puss’ canine associate.

Also part of the A-list ensemble is Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Wagner Moura, Ray Winstone, John Mulaney, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Anthony Mendez and Samson Kayo.

The Last Wish follows the daring outlaw Puss in Boots as he discovers that his passion for peril and disregard for safety have taken their toll.

The original film, released in 2011, was a Shrek spinoff following Puss’ adventures prior to his debut appearance in Shrek 2. Puss in Boots made more than $149 million at the domestic box office, and close to $555 million worldwide.

Talks of a follow-up go as far back as 2014. Puss in Boots 2: Nine Lives & 40 Thieves was announced in June of that year with DreamWorks Animation setting a November release date. It was delayed by a month before it was removed from the schedule due to restructuring at DreamWorks.

After many more internal changes, The Last Wish finally received a September 23, 2022, release date with Banderas’ return confirmed.

Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado serve as director and co-director of The Last Wish, respectively; Mark Swift will produce.

The film is executive produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. Universal is set to handle distribution.

The first trailer for the project will debut March 15.

Anthony Ramos to Star in “Trolls” Half-Hour Animated Musical Special “Trolls Holiday in Harmony”

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Anthony Ramos is about to let it troll….

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican actor/singer has joined the voice cast of Trolls Holiday in Harmony, starring Trolls alums Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Kenan Thompson and Rachel Bloom.

The new half-hour animated musical special hails from the DreamWorks Animation franchise set on NBC.

Other Trolls alums joining the cast include Ron Funches, Kunal Nayyar, Anderson .Paak, Ester Dean, Walt Dohrn, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Karan Soni.

The special will air on Friday, November 26 at 9:00 pm on NBC.

In the special, as the holidays near, Queen Poppy (Kendrick) plans the first annual Trolls Kingdom Secret Holiday Gift Swap. Things take an unexpected turn, however, when she and Branch (Timberlake) draw each other’s name. Meanwhile, Tiny Diamond (Thompson) comes down with a bad case of writers’ block trying to think of a special holiday rap for his dad.

The special, which includes four original songs, is written and directed by Sean Charmatz and Tim Heitz with Gina Shay and Walt Dohrn serving as the executive producers.

The Trolls DreamWorks Animation franchise includes the 2016 film Trolls and 2020’s Trolls World Tour starring Kendrick, Timberlake, among others, as well as two original TV series, digital content, videos games and more.

Following its premiere on NBC, Trolls Holiday in Harmony, will be available for purchase on digital and DVD November 30 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. A digital soundtrack for the special will be released by RCA Records on November 26 to coincide with the special airing on NBC.

Nunez to Star in TBS’ Ensemble Alien Abduction Comedy Pilot “The Group”

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Nunez is a Father figure…

The 56-year-old Cuban actor and former The Office star will star in TBS’ ensemble alien abduction comedy pilot The Group (working title) from The Office creator Greg Daniels.

Former Daily Show correspondent and writer Wyatt Cenac will play Wyatt Jones, a serious journalist in the town of Beacon who is pulled into covering the alien abductions that have been occurring.

Nunez will play hip priest Father Doug, who manages the community room rentals at Our Lady of Sorrows in Beacon.

Former Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer is playing Gina Morrison, a disgraced, though, competent therapist who runs a support group for alien abductees while working part time at a home furnishing chain store.

Alice Wetterlund will portray Kelly Grady, a goofy attractive girl who works as a temp and perpetually dates jerks.

As Gerry Johnson, Luka Jones is a social dropout and tollbooth worker who knows a lot about aliens.

Tracee Chimo is set to portray Chelsea Healey, a high-strung soul in the body of a housewife who is masking something much darker.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Yvonne Watson is the best door-to-door cosmetic salesperson on the Eastern seaboard in The Group.

Marylouise Burke portrays Margaret Flood, the sex-crazed retiree in Beacon’s retirement community.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Da’Vine Joy Randolph