Eugenio Derbez to Guest Star on Disney’s “Elena of Avalor”

Posted on June 30, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Eugenio Derbez is getting animated…

The 56-year-old Mexican actor, comedian and filmmaker has signed on for a guest starring role on the Disney animated series Elena of Avalor, according to Variety.

The series follows Elena, Disney’s first princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore. Derbez will voice Guillermo, a restless spirit with a passion for music, in a special Día de los Muertos-themed episode for the series’ third season, which is set to debut next year.

Derbez was most recently seen in the remake of Overboard starring opposite Anna Farris. He’s also set to appear in the live-action Dora the Explorer movie, which is slated for a 2019 debut.

He’s known for his roles in films like Instructions Not Included, which he also directed and co-wrote, and How to Be a Latin Lover.

Derbez and his 3Pas Studios recently signed an overall deal with Lionsgate Television and previously signed a first-look feature-film deal with Lionsgate’s Pantelion Films.

Hector Elizondo to Star in NBC’s Comedy Pilot “Guess Who Died”

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Hector Elizondo is preparing for Senior living…

The 81-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast as one of the leads in NBC’s single-camera comedy pilot Guess Who Died.

Elizondo will star opposite Holland Taylor in the project, which hails from Norman Lear and Peter Tolan.

NBC has given the project has a pilot production commitment.

From Sony Pictures Television, Guess Who Died is based on Lear’s personal experiences. It’s described as a humorous and inspiring look at the shared joys and challenges we all experience at any stage of life.

The comedy is set in the Las Esperanzado Senior Community in Palm Springs. It centers on Murray (Elizondo), a retired music executive who is positive and upbeat with sparkling eyes and a keen, sharp and wonderful sense of humor. After the death of his beloved wife, he realizes he’s fallen in love with his sister-in-law, Patricia, a former American Airlines flight attendant, who can be a little too proper at times, but she’s sharp as a tack with a great sense of humor.

Elizondo, the voice of Fiero on Disney’s Elena of Avalor, most recently starred on ABC’s popular comedy series Last Man Standing, which had a successful six-season run on the network. His other credits include Grey’s Anatomy, Cane and Chicago Hope.

Gustavo Dudamel Promotes Musical Dreams in Hispanic Heritage Month Video

Posted on September 23, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Gustavo Dudamel is inspiring children to embrace the music in their hearts…

The 36-year-old celebrated Venezuelan conductor and violinist joined the animated characters of Disney Jr.’s Latina princess series Elena of Avalor for a new Hispanic Heritage Month spot aimed at encouraging children’s musical dreams.

“Music is my life,” the L.A. Philharmonic music director tells kids in the promo, which started airing on Friday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. “The most important thing is that I have a chance to share with people.”

When asked by a young musician how he became a conductor, the orchestra leader said he would play pretend that he was a conductor when he was growing up, arranging his toy soldiers like orchestra musicians. “I was 11 years old and the conductor was late, and I went to the podium and I started to conduct,” Dudamel recalled, making it sound easy — yet, hopefully inspiring other aspiring conductors to take the podium themselves.

Posey to Appear in Recurring Role on the CW’s “Jane the Virgin”

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Tyler Posey is entering Virgin territory…

The 25-year-old half-Mexican American actor, who recently wrapped production on his MTV supernatural series Teen Wolf, has landed a recurring role on the CW’s dramedy Jane the Virgin.

The announcement comes as the title character, portrayed by MTV Movie & TV Award nominee Gina Rodriguez, is getting ready to date again.

Not many details have been released on Posey’s character, but he’ll reportedly play someone from Jane’s past. His first appearance will be in the Season 3 finale.

Following the shocking Season 3 plot twist with Michael’s death, Jane the Virgin jumped three years into the future, with Jane still coming to terms with her loss while raising her son Mateo.

Posey stars as Scott McCall on MTV’s Teen Wolf and also recently made his directorial debut in an episode, which will air this summer. Posey also can be heard as the voice of Prince Alonso on Disney Channel’s Elena of Avalor, and he recently appeared in feature Yoga Hosers.

Disney Channel Renews Carrero’s “Elena of Avalor” for a Third Season

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Aimee Carrero’s reign continues…

Disney Channel has ordered a third season of its hit animated series Elena of Avalor, featuring the 28-year-old Dominican actress as the voice of the title character.

The announcement comes months ahead of its Season 2 premiere.

Created and executive-produced by Emmy winner Craig Gerber, the series centers on a brave and adventurous teenager who rules her kingdom as crown princess, Elena of Avalor. It stars Carrero as the voice of Elena; Jenna Ortega as Princess Isabel; Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown and Carlos Alazraqui as the jaquins Migs, Luna and Skylar, respectively; Emiliano Díez as Francisco; Julia Vera as Luisa; Christian Lanz as Chancellor Esteban; Jillian Rose Reed as Naomi; Joseph Haro as Mateo; Jorge Diaz as Gabe; Keith Ferguson as Zuzo; and Joe Nunez as Armando. The recurring guest voice cast includes: Constance Marie, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rich Sommer, Justina Machado and Jaime Camil.

When it premiered in July 2016, Elena of Avalor quickly became television’s No.1 series for Girls age 2-11 in the U.S. It also ranks No. 1 in its timeslot among kids in the UK, Spain and Portugal.

Season 2 is scheduled to premiere this fall on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

Elena of Avalor has spawned a franchise aside from the television series, including a line of dolls from Disney Store and Hasbro which recently reached the mark of one million dolls sold. The Elena character also is featured at Disney Parks & Resorts where she greets well-wishers with stories and songs from her native land during special character appearances. The series also has spawned print and e-book titles from Disney Publishing; an “Elena of Avalor” original soundtrack album from Walt Disney Records; and multiple DVD releases from Walt Disney Studios, including the recently released Elena and the Secret of Avalor.

Carrero to Star in Freeform’s “Young & Hungry” Spinoff Series Starring Ashley Tisdale

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Aimee Carrero is going for a spin(off)…

The 27-year-old Dominican-American actress will star opposite Ashley Tisdale in the Young & Hungry spinoff series, which is in development at Freeform.

Carrero will reprise her role in the original series, Sofia Rodriguez, an ambitious banking intern and Gabi (Emily Osment)’s best friend and roommate.

The proposed Young & Hungry spinoff will reportedly follow Sofia (Carrero) as she lands a job working for an overbearing boss. Tisdale is playing lesbian magazine editor Logan Rawlings, a role she originated in two guest-starring appearances on Young & Hungry, which she executive produces, along with the spinoff.

Young and Hungry just had its third season finale this week and returns with new episodes June 1.

Along with role role on Young & Hungry, Carrero voices the title character in the upcoming Disney Junior animated princess series Elena of Avalor. She also has appeared on FX’s The Americans and currently on NBC’s Blindspot.

Carrero’s feature credits include The Last Witch Hunter and The Devil’s Due.

Carrero to Voice Lead Princess on Disney Junior’s “Elena of Avalor”

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a royal opportunity for Aimee Carrero…

Disney Junior has announced plans to launch an animated spinoff from Sofia The First, with the 26-year-old Dominican actress voicing the lead character.

Entitled Elena of Avalor, it centers on Princess Elena of Avalor, a confident and compassionate teenager in an enchanted fairytale kingdom inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore.

The title character will be introduced in a special episode of its mothership series Sofia The First, in a story arc that will usher in the 2016 launch.

Carrero’s journey as Princess Elena began long ago when her parents and kingdom were taken from her by the evil sorceress, Shuriki. She bravely faced the sorceress to protect her little sister, Princess Isabel, and grandparents but in the process, her magical amulet pulled her inside its enchanted jewel, saving her life but imprisoning her at the same time. Decades later, Princess Sofia of Enchancia discovers the truth about the amulet she has worn since joining her royal family and sets out to restore Elena to her human form and help her return to the kingdom of Avalor.

The series will be presented in 25 languages on Disney Junior channels and daily programming blocks for kids age 2-7 on Disney Channels, among other platforms, in 154 countries around the world.

Disney Television Animation is producing Elena Of Avalor and Sofia The First‘s Craig Gerber is executive producing. Silvia Cardenas Olivas (Moesha, The Brothers Garcia), is the story editor, and Elliot M. Bour (The Little Engine That Could) is the supervising director.

Carrero’s credits include television appearances on The Americans, The Mentalist, Lincoln Heights, Young & Hungry, Hannah Montana, Men of a Certain Age, The Middle, Greek, Zeke and Luther and Baby Daddy.

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