Alejandro Edda to Star in Kevin Costner’s Epic Western Film Saga “Horizon”

Alejandro Edda is just beyond the horizon

The 38-year-old Mexican–American actor has joined the ensemble cast of Kevin Costner’s epic Western film saga Horizon at Warner Bros/New Line.

Alejandro EddaEdda is among a list of new cast additions that includes Jena Malone, Tatanka Means and Michael Rooker.

The foursome join an expanding roster that includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jamie Campbell Bower, Luke Wilson and Thomas Haden Church.

Costner will produce through his Territory Pictures, and direct and star in the period film, which he co-wrote with Jon Baird.

Horizon chronicles a multi-faceted 15-year span of pre- and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West. Experienced through the eyes of many, the epic journey is fraught with peril and intrigue from the constant onslaught of natural elements, to the interactions with the indigenous peoples who lived on the land, and the determination and at many times ruthlessness of those who sought to settle it.

Costner returns to directing for the first time since his 2003 box office hit Open Range. With Horizon, Costner revisits Civil War-era America, the setting for his 1990 blockbuster and multi-Oscar winner Dances with Wolves, which he also directed, produced and starred in. That film won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Costner.

Edda was last seen on the FX series Snowfall and is returning to Season 6 as a regular. He stars as El Chapo in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico and starred opposite Tom Cruise in American Made and in Universal/Blumhouse’s The Forever Purge.

Paramount+ Gives Green Light to John Leguizamo’s Series “Sinaloa’s First Lady” About El Chapo’s ‘Beauty Queen Bride’

John Leguizamo’s latest project is getting the green light…

Paramount+ has given the go ahead to the 61-year-old Colombian actor’s series Sinaloa’s First Lady, which will chronicle the life of El Chapo’s infamous Beauty Queen Bride, Emma Coronel.

John LeguizamoStarring and produced by Leguizamo with Frida Torresblanco also producing, the narrative series will chronicle the fascinating yet volatile life of Emma Coronel — an innocent farm girl turned fierce icon who rises to become Mexico’s most formidable crime wife.

It’s described as a story of love, sex, drugs, and danger.

Produced by VIS in association with Braven Films, the series has been greenlit for development to debut exclusively on Paramount+ in Latin America and all international markets.

In all, Paramount Global plans to commission 150 international originals for Paramount+ within three years.

Karla Sofia Gascón to Star in Jacques Audiard’s Comedy “Emilia Perez”

Karla Sofia Gascón has landed an aunt-tastic role…

The 50-year-old Spanish transgender actress will star in director Jacques Audiard comedy Emilia Perez, with talks underway with Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana.

Karla Sofia GascónThe project, which is creating buzz in the Cannes market, is a musical comedy about an El Chapo-type fugitive who can’t get away from the law, so has a sex change.

Ten years later she misses her children immensely and returns as their aunt.

Library Pictures International is financing the film, and The Veterans will be selling international rights to the film along with CAA Media Finance, which is also selling North American territories.

Gascón is an up and coming Spanish trans actress who has emerged as one to watch and should stand out in this musical comedy along the lines of Mrs. Doubtfire.

Telemundo Renews Kate del Castillo’s “La Reina del Sur” for Third Season

Kate del Castillo’s reign will continue…

Telemundo has renewed La Reina del Sur for a third season with the 47-year-old Mexican actress set to reprise her iconic role as Teresa Mendoza.

Kate del Castillo

“I love playing Teresa Mendoza and am proud of the success of La Reina del Sur, the series that unleashed a new genre in Spanish language television,” del Castillo said. “Each season, Teresa Mendoza’s character evolves and gets more interesting. She is a very human character with her own flaws and imperfections. Over the years, I’ve had a lot of fun playing her, and I’m curious to see what will happen in this new season. She’s a woman I learn from in every season and every episode, who continues to surprise me.”

The first season of the series, based on Arturo Perez-Reverte’s novel, launched in 2011 and returned for a second season in 2019. 

The second season picked up eight years after the events of the season one finale with Mendoza pregnant and unsure of her future. When La Reina returns, it emerged that she’s disappeared into the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program and is currently living in Italy under the name of Maria Dantes with her daughter Sofia.

Last year, del Castillo said she “hated” the fact that she had to have a double for Mexico-set scenes of the  narco drama after she became a major player in the El Chapo saga, helping to set up a meeting between Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán and Sean Penn in 2015.

But she’ll now be able to return to Mexico if the series films there. 

La Reina del Suris a high-level production that has taken us to shoot all over the world season after season. But yes, if the story takes us to Mexico next season, I will be there. I’m so excited,” she added.

Showrunner Marco Santana, who’s also president of Telemundo Global Studios, said that the company was currently in the script and overall development phase of the new season. 

“We are working with an incredible group of writers to bring to life the continuation of a thrilling and involved story that we are all very excited for,” he told Deadline. “We have filmed La Reina del Suraround the world. It’s a story that travels through different locations, and season three won’t be an exception. We are planning for, and are hopeful that, by the time we begin production in 2021, restrictions due to the coronavirus will have eased.”

The third season will start production early next year, as long as production can resume as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The third season will be a co-production between Telemundo Global Studios and Netflix; Telemundo holds rights in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, while the streamer airs the series globally.

La Reina del Suris Telemundo’s most successful ‘Super Series’, used to differentiate it from its traditional long-running telenovelas.

“It is the show that propelled the network to the top of the charts and kicked off Telemundo’s Super Series franchise as the most successful Super Series in the network’s history,” said Ronald Day, EVP, Entertainment, Telemundo Networks. “It was the show that redefined Hispanic media and set a new standard in our content offering. There is a tremendous fan base for the first two seasons and for Teresa Mendoza, the iconic character played by Kate del Castillo, so we knew we had to bring her back.  This is a series that resonates with the new Latino of today who craves for contemporary cutting-edge narratives coupled with strong characters in a premium-level production. The first two seasons were wildly successful on linear and across all platforms, so as we continue to look at all new IP through an omnichannel lens, it made a lot of sense to bring La Reina back.”

“The return of La Reina del Surcomes at a great time when we continue to shape a new era in Hispanic media with content exclusively made for Latinos living in the US looking for culture-centric stories that are both American and Latino,” Day added.

Sebastian Hofmann Signs First Look Deal with Exile Content Studios & Endeavor Content

Sebastian Hofmannhas a new deal…

The 40-year-old Mexican filmmaker and visual artist has closed an exclusive first-look deal with Exile Content Studios and Endeavor Content.

Sebastian Hofmann

Hofmann directed Tiempo Compartido, the R.J Mitte-starring feature film that won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Screenwriting at the Sundance Film Festivalin 2018 and airs on Netflix.

Hoffman’s first project under the deal is elevated horror series Jabalí, which chronicles the disappearance of a local activist in a forgotten village in rural Mexico in the midst of the traditional feast of the boar.

Exile is focused on developing and producing long-form content for global audiences in English and Spanish. In addition to Netflix’s El Chapo,it was behind Emmy Award-winning documentary Science Fair, which won the Sundance Audience Award in 2018, and Netflix’s Who Killed Malcolm X

The company recently struck a partnership with Endeavor Content to finance, develop, and produce Spanish language scripted television projects, as well as to create a fund to acquire IP and pursue development deals with high-profile and emerging talent across Latin America and Spain.

“To be given the opportunity to develop an auteur-driven series is a dream come true for any filmmaker. Exile and Endeavor Content are creating a strong new platform for contemporary Latin American voices. I am proud and grateful to be a part of it,” said Hofmann.

“Sebastian is truly masterful at creating some of the most sophisticated horror films in Latin America, and we want to invest in introducing his voice to the global scripted series market,” said Exile’s Head of Development Alonso Aguilar.

“Sebastian’s ear for gripping horror stories, his eye for compelling visuals, and his unique storytelling style all make him a world-class showrunner, writer, and director, and we’re looking forward to seeing all that he will create through this partnership,” said Endeavor Content’s VP, International Strategy Kelly Miller.

El Chapo’s Wife Emma Coronel Aispuro to Appear on VH1’s Docuseries “Cartel Crew”

Emma Coronel Aispuro is opening up about cartel life… 

The 30-year-old Mexican American former teen beauty queen, the wife of convicted drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, will make the first of several appearances on VH1’s docuseries Cartel Crew on November 18, according to the network.

Emma Coronel Aispuro

The series, now in its second season, goes inside the lives of descendants of the cartel life as they navigate adulthood and the effects the legacy has had on their upbringing. Michael Blanco, youngest son of “Cocaine Godmother” Griselda Blanco, stars on the show.

VH1 says Aispuro “opens up about her life after El Chapo and her upcoming business venture” — likely an El Chapo-inspired clothing line she announced earlier this year. Her first appearance on Cartel Crew was teased in a clip released today.

El Chapo, the leader of the murderous (and still active) Sinaloa cartel, is serving a life sentence after his conviction in July on charges of drug trafficking, firearms and money laundering. He had twice escaped from prisons in Mexico before being extradited to the U.S.

New York police and others were on high alert outside and around the Brooklyn courthouse when El Chapo was convicted; authorities held an active-shooter drill the previous day to prepare for the verdict.

Last month, Mexican government forces captured El Chapo’s son Ovidio Guzmán López, resulting in cartel forces pouring into and laying siege to the capital of Sinaloa state, Culiacán, where Guzmán López was apprehended. Eventually, the government was forced to release him fearing for the safety of the city’s residents.

Kate del Castillo to Star in the Off Broadway Production of Isaac Gomez’s “the way she spoke”

Kate del Castillois ready to take the stage…

The 46-year-old Mexican actress, who starred in Telemundo’s wildly popular La Reina del Sur series, will return to the New York stage this summer in the Off Broadway production of Isaac Gomez’s the way she spoke, directed by Jo Bonney as the next Audible Theater production at the Minetta Lane Theatre.

Kate del Castillo

Previews begin on Monday, July 8, with opening night set for Thursday, July 18. The Minetta Lane, in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, is home base for Audible’s live performances, with productions recorded and released by Audible as audio plays.

the way she spoke follows an actress who enters a theater, picks up a script, and begins to read a story that reveals “disturbing and haunting accounts of the murder of thousands of women in Juarez, Mexico and one playwright’s journey of discovery and responsibility.” 

According to Audible’s description, “As lines blur between theatricality and reality, intense and provocative questions are raised and demand deeper examination. Based on a series of intimate interviews, this one-woman play demonstrates the power of speaking truth, even as it considers the implications of doing so.”

Kate Navin, Audible Artistic Producer, called Gomez’s play “deeply moving,” and that del Castillo’s “raw and inspiring performance is sure to captivate our live audiences in New York City and resonate with Audible members everywhere.”

The creative team includes Riccardo Hernandez (scenic design), Emilio Sosa (costume design), Lap Chi Chu(lighting design), Elisheba Ittoop(sound design), and Aaron Rhyne(projection design).

del Castillo, set to co-star with Will Smithand Martin Lawrencein 2020’s Bad Boys For Life, has been a popular star of Mexican television since her teens, but her performance on La Reina del Sur in 2011 became a cultural phenomenon. A second season launched last month. The series, produced by Telemundo and Spain’s Antena 3, is a primetime serial that chronicles del Castillo’s Teresa character, a Mexican woman who rises to great power through international drug trafficking (Alice Bragaplays the character in USA Networks’ American version Queen of the South).

del Castillo’s other credits include Jane The VirginUnder the Same MoonThe 33All About Nina, and the upcoming Bad Boys For Life.

Off-screen, del Castillo made international news when, after controversially tweeting about El Chapoin 2012, the actress was contacted by a lawyer for the Mexican drug lord to discuss a biopic about him (El Chapo, it turned out, was a del Castillo superfan, with a stockpile of La Reina del Sur DVDs found at the safe house raided by Mexican intelligence agencyCISEN.) Later, del Castillo helped arrange the meeting between El Chapo and actor Sean Penn.

Univision Releases Trailer for Season 2 of Marco de la O’s TV Series “El Chapo”

Marco de la O is ready to break free…

Univision is offering a first look at Season 2 of the 38-year-old Mexican actor’s El Chapoincluding a sneak peek at his character Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán’s escape from prison and plan for revenge.

Marco de la O as El Chapo

The release of the clip comes ahead of its September return on Univision.

Season two of El Chapo, a co-production between Univision’s Story House Entertainment and Netflix, continues to explore the life story of one of the world’s most notorious criminals – from his rise to power and his ultimate downfall.

Along with Marco de la O as Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, the series also stars Humberto Busto,  Juan Carlos Olivas, Alejandro Aguilar, Tete Espinoza, Rodrigo Abed, Luis Rábago, Cristina Michaus, Valentina Acosta and Juliette Pardau.

El Chapo is created by Silvana Aguirre Zegarra and Carlos Contreras and produced by Daniel Posada.

Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, who has been accused by law enforcement of running the “largest drug trafficking organization in the world,” long evaded authorities. After being captured by Mexican authorities in February 2014, Guzman escaped from a maximum security Mexican prison in July 2015 by crawling through an opening in the shower of his cell block that led to a mile-long tunnel to freedom. He was recaptured nearly six months later, extradited to the U.S. earlier this year and his next trial date is set for April 2018.

de la O to Portray Drug Kingpin Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán in Univision’s Drama Series “El Chapo”

Marco de la O is a smooth criminal…

The Colombian stage and screen actor will portray drug kingpin Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán on El Chapothe original drama series now set to premiere on Sunday, April 23 on Univision.

Marco de la O

The series, which marks the first co-production between Univision’s Story House Entertainment and Netflix, is currently in production and will air in three separate cycles. It explores the life story of El Chapo, one of the world’s most notorious criminals, over a span of three decades – from 1985 when he was a low-level member of the Guadalajara Cartel, his rise to power, and his ultimate downfall.

de la O previously starred in the Spanish-language television programs Tanto Amor and Salome.

Rounding out the cast are Humberto Busto (Amores Perros) as Attorney Conrado Sol, aka “Don Sol” (an important political party figure); Juan Carlos Olivas (180°) as El Güero (Joaquín’s main partner); Alejandro Aguilar (Rosario Tijeras) as Toño (Joaquín’s main assassin); Tete Espinoza (Wenses y Lala) as Chío (Joaquín’s lover); Rodrigo Abed (Revolución) as Amado (Mexican capo); Luis Rábago (Principio y Fin) as General Blanco (National Security Advisor); Cristina Michaus (El Tigre de Santa Julia) as Doña Esperanza (Joaquín’s mother); Valentina Acosta (Señora Acero) as Alejandra (Joaquín’s first wife); and Juliette Pardau (De Todas Maneras Rosa) as Graciela (Joaquín’s second wife).

El Chapo is created by Silvana Aguirre Zegarra and produced by Daniel Posada; the first season is directed by Jose Manuel Cravioto and Ernesto Contreras.

Guzmán, who has been accused by law enforcement of running the “largest drug trafficking organization in the world,” has long evaded authorities. After being captured by Mexican authorities in February 2014, he escaped from a maximum security Mexican prison in July 2015 by crawling through an opening in the shower of his cell block that led to a mile-long tunnel to freedom. He was recaptured nearly six months later and extradited to the U.S. earlier this year. His next scheduled court appearance is on May 5, 2017.

“We are thrilled to have Marco take on the role of ‘El Chapo’ as we begin to unfold the story of the most notorious drug lord of our times, revealing the man behind the myth,” said Christian Gabela, GM of Story House Entertainment. “We think viewers will be truly captivated by both Marco’s performance and this story of power, ambition, corruption, secrecy and deception.”

“The truly inspired casting of Marco de la O puts the last piece into place for bringing this innovative production to life,” said Lourdes Diaz, president of Entertainment, UCI. “By combining the world-class reporting and insights from Univision News’ investigative team with an outstanding team of talented storytellers and producers, Marco will dramatically help us pull back the curtain on the life of one of the most well-known criminals in modern history.”

Netflix to Premiere del Castillo’s “Ingobernable” in March

Kate del Castillo is ungovernable

Netflix will premiere the first season of its Mexican original series Ingobernable, starring the 44-year-old Mexican actress, on March 24.

Kate del Castillo

del Castillo and Erik Hayser star as the First Lady and President of Mexico in the 15-episode fictional series set in the present-day.

del Castillo, a key player in the real-life saga of Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, portrays First Lady Emilia Urquiza, a woman who has big plans to improve conditions for the country through her commitment to fighting for peace. She’s a woman with a strong personality, conviction and clear ideas that make her capable of doing anything. As Emilia starts to lose faith in her husband, President Diego Nava, she finds herself at a crossroads where she’ll need to find a way to deal with a great challenge and uncover the truth.

The presidential couple will be joined by their two children Maria Nava Urquiza (Alicia Jaziz) and Emiliano Nava Urquiza (Alessio Valentini).

Other cast members include Erendira Ibarra (Las Aparicio, Sense8, La Vida Inmoral de la Pareja Ideal), Luis Roberto Guzmán (El Pantera, Ladies Night), Fernando Luján (Mirada de Mujer, Todo por Amor), Marina de Tavira (El Señor de los Cielos, Capadocia), Marco Antonio Treviño (The 33, Las Aparicio), María del Carmen Farías (Hostile Border, Las Aparicio), Aida López (Frida, Capadocia), Alberto Guerra Ramos (Hasta que te Conocí, Siempre Tuya Acapulco), Harold Torres (Crónica de Castas, Sin Nombre), Maxi Iglesias (Dueños del paraíso, Velvet), Alvaro Guerrero (Amores Perros, The Mission), Diego Cadavid (The Snitch Cartel, Blind Alley), Tamara Mazarrasa Lopez (Camelia la Texana, Everybody’s Got Somebody…Not Me), Marianna Burelli (Paramédicos, El Torito), Hernan del Riego (Cantinflas, Fantasma), Jeirmarie Osorio Rivera (Celia, Fast Five), Mitzi Mabel Cadena (Capadocia, El Señor de los Cielos), and Pablo Astiazarán (La Última Mirada, Goes And Runs).

The series was originally set to shoot in Mexico, but plans changed and production was moved to the U.S. del Castillo had told ABC News last year she was afraid to go to Mexico for fear of being arrested and prosecuted after she had come under scrutiny from the Mexican government over her connection to the notorious Mexican drug lord Guzman, which led to her and actor Sean Penn’s infamous secret meeting with El Chapo while he was on the run following his escape from a Mexican prison. El Chapo was eventually re-captured and extradited to the U.S. last month to face charges connected to leading one of the world’s largest narcotics organizations.