Gravitas Ventures Acquires North American Rights to Boneta’s Film “City of Dead Men”

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is a Dead Man coming to America…

Gravitas Ventures has acquired all North American rights to the psychological horror film City of Dead Men, starring the 25-year-old Mexican actor/singer.

Starring Boneta, Jackson Rathbone and newcomer Maria Mesa, City of Dead Men follows Michael (Boneta), an American tourist named recently arrived in Medellin, Colombia, where he discovers he’s run completely out of money. Desperate for a quick fix to the problem, he meets a young Colombian girl (Mesa), who introduces him to a group of misfits and their mysterious leader (Rathbone), who live in an abandoned psychiatric hospital. At first accepting their friendship and shelter, it soon becomes clear something terrible happened in the hospital. The group living there now only feel immortal, pulling Michael into a dangerous dynamic that might kill him.

Along with the acquisition, a new trailer for the film has been released exclusively to Deadline.

“I grew up with death and violence all around me — Medellín was tough back then,” said producer Alejo Arango. “This is where the dead men come from; growing up thinking that you are already dead, believe me, living life like that is intense.”

“We are delighted to be partnered with Latam Pictures, Blue Fox Entertainment and the talented City of Dead Men filmmaking team on this gripping thriller,” says Dan Fisher, senior director of acquisitions for Gravitas Ventures.

Gravitas plans to release the film in select theaters and on-demand set on December 16. Directed by Kirk Sullivan and written by Andrew Poston, the film already is available for presale on iTunes.

Boneta to Star in the Mystery Thriller “A Bend in the Road”

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is hittin’ the Road…

The 25-year-old Mexican actor/singer has signed on to star in director/writer David Frigerio’s A Bend in the Road, which is set to go before the cameras next year.

The mystery thriller centers around step-sisters who are at odds with each other after the sudden, tragic death of their respective parents. With a $100M in inheritance at stake, one of the young heiresses hires a drifter to kill her stepsister.

Pitch Perfect actress Alexis Knapp is currently in talks to join.

Frigerio, who wrote the Aaron Paul horror thriller Wreckage and the sci-fi thriller The Signal, will direct A Bend in the Road from his own script written with Suzanne Fitzpatrick from a story he co-penned with Darby Parker.

Boneta’s film credits include a starring role in movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages, as well as Eden and Before I Fall.

His television credits include appearances on Pretty Little Liars, 90210, Jane the Virgin and Scream Queens.

Vergara Among 49 Celebrities Appearing in Orlando Massacre Tribute Video

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara is urging people to stop the hate…

The 43-year-old Colombian actress and Modern Family star is among the 49 celebrities honoring the 49 victims of the Orlando shooting massacre in a Ryan Murphy-Produced tribute video.

The 18-minute tribute, directed by Murphy and Ned Martel, was released this week by the Human Rights Campaign.

“On June 12, forty-nine innocent people — most of them Latino — were killed at Pulse nightclub in Orlando simply because of who they were,” reads the description of the video on YouTube. “It’s on all of us to keep their memories alive, and to ensure part of their legacy becomes meaningful action to end hate violence.”

The video features a photo of each victim, accompanied by a celebrity recounting that person’s individual story. It was filmed over three days, at Fox Studios in Los Angeles.

“The hate that stole these 49 individuals from all those who loved them has been allowed to flourish in our country for too long,” said Murphy in a statement. “No person is born hating another, and we have an obligation as Americans to stand up against prejudice and bigotry that would incite violence against someone simply for who they are. I am proud to have joined with Ned Martel, my talented colleagues, and the Human Rights Campaign to honor these 49 heroes and stop the hate.”

In addition to Vergara, other Latino celebrities who participated in the video include Lea Michele, Edgar Ramirez, George Lopez, Diego Boneta, Demi Lovato, Kid Cudi, Jordana Brewster and Guillermo Díaz.

Learn more at: http://www.hrc.org/StopTheHate.

Angélica María Receives Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

She’s a Latin American icon… And, now Angélica María is a star in Hollywood…

On Wednesday, the 71-year-old American-born Mexican actress and Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter unveiled her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Angélica María, known as “La novia de México,” arrived in a vintage white convertible to a cheerful crowd ready to celebrate a long overdue recognition to one of Latin America’s most talented and loved artists.

To kick off the ceremony, actor and singer Diego Boneta dedicated a few words to the woman he calls his mentor and inspiration.

“Angélica María, as much as I’d love to say that I am the only actor you have inspired, that’s not the case. You have inspired all of us, the new wave of Mexican and Latin actors who are here today working hard. You’ve been a great example of that. Thank you for motivating me.”

Following Boneta’s remarks, her daughter, Angélica Vale, also a well-known actress and television personality, went up to the podium with her two kids to read a tearful letter to her mother. Vale also had three messages sent from Latin superstars Emilio and Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin congratulating Angélica María on her special day.

“I’m there in heart with you today on this glorious day honoring an incredible woman. Thank you for all your talent and art that we have enjoyed for so many years and for being my theater godmother when I began my career in Mexico,” read Martin’s message.

“I’m so thrilled and grateful,” said a tearful Angélica María. “This star means so much to me. I never thought I would have a star, but this is a dream come true. This star is dedicated to my mother, to my family, to Latin America, to the press who have always supported me and to my Mexico. Viva México!”

Born in New Orleans, Angélica María moved to Mexico at the young age of 4 where she began her acting career and, at 8 years old won her first Mexican Film Academy Award for the film Mi esposa y la otra. But that was just the first of many awards and achievements to come. She’s starred in many other films, musicals, telenovelas and theatrical productions.

She has recorded 63 albums and pioneered the genre balada-ranchera (ranchera ballad).

For her work on stage, screen, television and as a singer, Angélica María has been inducted into the Paseo de las Luminarias at Mexico City’s Plaza de las Estrellas.

Martinez Joins Live Reading of Black List Script “El Fuego Caliente”

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Martinez’s career is heating up…

The 31-year-old Cuban American actress has joined the cast of the upcoming live reading of the 2011 Black list script El Fuego Caliente.

Melanie Lynskey and Don Cheadle have also come on board, joining previously announced cast members Roselyn Sanchez, Jaime Camil, Judy Reyes, Stephanie Beatriz, Diego Boneta, Ben Schwartz, and narrator Anthony Mendez.

Written by Schwartz, who is also directing the live read, the story is a remake of Soapdish that follows telenovela icon Penelope, who desperately dreams of escaping to Hollywood stardom. After a jealous costar and conniving producer resurrect her character’s previously-killed off ex-lover, Penelope’s life becomes crazier than the show on which she stars.

The live read of El Fuego Caliente happens at the Montalban Theater in Hollywood, Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 8:00 PM.

Tickets are now available.

Boneta to Serve as a Presenter at the Latin Grammys

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is heading to the Latin Grammys…

The 24-year-old Mexican singer/actor will join Zoe Saldaña, Rita Moreno, Miguel Bose, Yandel, Julieta Venegas, Leslie Grace, Victor Manuelle, current nominees including René Camacho, Pedro Capó and Aída Cuevas and over a dozen other Latin personalities in presenting awards at the Latin Grammys on Thursday night.

A total of 22 well-known presenters will cross the stage at the 16th annual Latin Grammy Awards, joining 32 performers, including Fifth Harmony, Latin chart-topping artists Nicky Jam and J Balvin, OMI of “Cheerleader” fame, Ricky Martin, regional Mexican star Espinoza Paz, urban sensation Maluma and six-time Grammy winners Banda el Recodo. Will Smith is set to appear with Colombian duo Bomba Estereo, and Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Roberto Carlos will also perform.

The show will be broadcast live on the Univision Network Thursday night (Nov. 19) at 8 p.m. ET/PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Actress Roselyn Sanchez and model and Univison presenter Jacqueline Bracamontes will host the awards.

Valderrama’s “Minority Report” Receives “Most Exciting New Series” Honor

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Wilmer Valderrama is one of the minorities to watch next season…

The Broadcast Television Journalists Association has named eight honorees for its Most Exciting New Series category, including Fox’s drama pilot Minority Report, starring the 35-year-old Colombian and Venezuelan American actor.

In addition to Valderrama’s Minority Report, which also stars Meagan Good, the honorees include American Crime Story (FX), Aquarius (NBC), Blindspot (NBC), The Muppets (ABC), Scream Queens (Fox), Supergirl (CBS), and UnREAL (Lifetime).

All are dramas except for comedy The Muppets and horror comedy Scream Queens, which stars Lea Michele and Diego Boneta.

The honorees were chosen by BTJA members from pilots, early episodes and trailers from series premiering after May 1.

The fifth annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards will air live May 31 on A&E from the Beverly Hilton. Cat Deeley is hosting.

Boneta to Star in Fox’s Comedy-Horror Series “Scream Queens”

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is a scream king…

The Mexican actor-singer has been cast as one of the male leads in Scream Queens, Fox’s comedy-horror series created by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan.

The project revolves around a college campus that’s rocked by a series of murders.

Boneta is reportedly set to portray a bookish but handsome guy in the first installment of the anthology series slated for fall.

Boneta, who starred in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, joins an ensemble cast that includes Lea Michele, Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Skyler Samuels, Nick Jonas, Keke Palmer, Joe Manganiello, Ariana Grande and Abigail Breslin.

Boneta will next be seen in CBS miniseries The Dovekeepers, produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, and the Imagine feature Pelé.

Boneta Lands Recording Contract with Sony Music U.S. Latin

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is ready to make sweet music in America…

The 23-year-old Mexican actor and singer, who has made a name for himself in television and film, has landed a recording deal Sony Music U.S. Latin.

Boneta, best known for portraying Rocco on the Mexican telenovela Rebelde, is a rising star in Hollywood who has become a fixture on U.S. television with roles on MTV’s Underemployed, CW‘s 90210 and ABC Family‘s Pretty Little Liars. He’s also starred in several films, most notably the film adaptation of the Broadway hit musical Rock of Ages, where he starred as Drew Boley and performed nine tracks on the film’s acclaimed soundtrack.

Now, Boneta is hoping to advance his musical career further with his newly inked record deal with Sony Music U.S. Latin. The label plans to release material in both English and Spanish, beginning with an EP that could come out in early 2015.

“Diego is a brand and music is an integral part of his artistic identity,” says Sony Music U.S. Latin president Nir Seroussi, who plans to find Boneta opportunities in multiple media, including opportunities for Boneta’s music in the many films he acts in.

His upcoming projects include the horror flick Summer Camp and Pelé, the biopic about the legendary Brazilian soccer player, in which Boneta plays archrival Pedro alongside Vincent D’onofrio and Rodrigo Santoro.

“The idea is not to simply release an album but create a strategy that’s congruent with my career,” Boneta said in an exclusive interview with Billboard. However, Boneta points out, “Diego the actor and Diego the singer are managed completely separate from one another.”

Boneta actually started out as a singer, taking voice lessons when he was only 8 years old and becoming a finalist on music reality show Codigo F.A.M.A. when he was 12. At 15, Boneta landed his star-making role on the popular soap opera Rebelde and went on to release two successful solo albums with EMI.

By 2010, at 20 years old, Boneta was already making a mark in Hollywood with his roles in Pretty Little Liars and 90210, plus a role in Mean Girls 2. He was signed briefly to Adam Levine‘s label but finally went to Sony, where he’ll work in both languages and across many mediums.

Now, Boneta is writing new tracks even as he prepares to begin shooting the miniseries The Dovekeepers, from Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (The Bible).

The trick to the balancing act, he says, is “finding the time. I’d like to be doing what Justin Timberlake does.”

Delayed “Pelé” Biopic Headed to Theaters After the World Cup

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

He’s considered one of the best soccer players of all time… And, now Pelé’s life story is heading to the big screen.

Pelé, the biopic about the legendary 73-year-old Brazilian soccer star, is scheduled to hit theaters sometime in 2014.

But sadly, it doesn’t look like the film will be ready for delivery before this summer’s soccer World Cup, as previously planned, due to a lengthy spell in post-production and reshoots for the project.

Written and directed by Michael Zimbalist and Jeff Zimbalist, the film stars newcomers Leonardo Lima Carvalho and Kevin de Paula, who will both portray the soccer star at different stages in his young life.

The film is described as an origins story, chronicling Pele’s rise from the slums of Sao Paulo to become the people’s hero when, as a 17-year-old, he led Brazil to its first World Cup victory, in 1958.

Carvalho will play Pelé between ages 10 through 13 and De Paula will play him between the ages of 13 and 17.

Vincent D’Onofrio, Rodrigo Santoro, Diego Boneta, Colm Meaney and Seu Jorge also star.

Also in the cast are Brazilian actors Marianna Nunes, Milton Goncales, Rafael Henrique, Marcus Vinicius, Julio Levy, Thelmo Fernandes, Felipe Simas, Charles Myara, Jerome Franz and Roger Haag.

Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Seine Pictures‘ Ivan Orlic are producing Pele with Kim Roth and Colin Wilson executive producing.

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