Issa Lopez to Write & Direct Blumhouse’s “Our Lady of Tears,” Based on Epic article “The Haunting of Girlstown”

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There are tears in Issa López’s future…

The 48-year-old Mexican writer and director will adapt and direct Our Lady of Tears for Blumhouse based on the Daniel Hernandez’s Epic magazine article “The Haunting of Girlstown,” which was published on Vox.

The article focuses on a mass hysteria epidemic with supernatural roots, that in 2007 spread through Villa de las Niñas, an all girls, Catholic boarding school in the outskirts of Mexico City. The school recruited and isolated socially neglected girls coming from families living in extreme poverty and in remote areas of Mexico.

The project is in the same supernatural spirit of López’s previous feature, Tigers Are Not Afraid, which followed children fighting for survival in a harsh real-life environment.

“The moment I read the Epic article, I knew I wanted to tell this story. I myself attended a Catholic school in Mexico City. I grew up on a steady diet of supernatural visitations and miracles, and of the real life horrors that young girls who grow up in poverty face every day in Mexico, and around the world. Having the chance to tell that story with Jason [Blum] and his team, producers of such socially incisive genre classics like Get Out, and of so many true horror gems, is a huge privilege. I couldn’t be more excited about this movie,” said López in a statement.

“The Blumhouse team was enthralled by the original article and Daniel’s deep reporting around such a terrifying and heartbreaking story. Ever since I first watched Tiger’s Are Not Afraid, I have wanted to find a project to collaborate on with Issa and I knew this was a perfect fit. I can’t wait for audiences to see her take on this material,” said Blumhouse co-founder and CEO,Jason Blum.

“Epic spent years tracking down former students, government officials and teachers to try to understand what happened at Girlstown. We learned that isolation can protect us from physical threats but our internal demons follow us wherever we go,” said Joshua Davis, co-founder, Epic.

Our Lady of Tears will be produced by Blumhouse in association with Epic Media.

Falcão Among the Industry Professionals Speaking at This Year’s RioMarket

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Renato Falcão is ready to talk shop…

The Brazilian filmmaker, a noted cinematographer, producer and director, is among the industry professionals set to speak at RioMarket, the biggest event of the Latin American audiovisual industry hosted by the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival.

Falcão, best known as the cinematographer on the blockbuster hit animated films Rio, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Epic and Rio 2, has been invited to discuss the current state of the business at the event, which kicked off on Wednesday.

With a renewed format — dividing its TV and film focuses in separate stints — the RioMarket program includes over 40 discussion panels and seven workshops, gathering more than 200 experts in production, costume design, sound, animation, marketing and other areas.

Other international guests and lecturers this year will be costume designer Janie Bryant (Mad Men), screenwriter Marc Halsey (The Carrie Diaries) and producer Andrew Meyer, among many others in a heavy contingent of Hollywood producers and sales agents looking for the latest Latin American productions.

Brazil’s growing television industry is demanding more local content, as networks need to meet the percentages of locally produced shows that became mandatory by law two years ago. Also, President Dilma Rousseff announced earlier this year a funding package of $540 million to be poured into production, distribution and exhibition. Most of these film projects and formats will be offered to co-producers, sales agents and distributors through RioMarket sections Rio Screenings, One-to-One meetings and FilmShow.

Salazar to Star Opposite Shailene Woodley and Theo James in the “Divergent” Sequel “Insurgent”

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Rosa Salazar has ties to insurgent groups…

The Canadian-born Latina actress, best known for her role on NBC’s drama series Parenthood, has joined the science fictionaction film Insurgent, based on the novel of the same name by Veronica Roth.

Salazar will portray Lynn in the sequel to the Divergent and the second installment in the Divergent film series.

Summit’s follow-up to the blockbuster hitsees the return of Shailene Woodley and Theo James as citizens in a world where people are divided into factions based on certain values.

Robert Schwentke is directing the sequel — currently shooting in Atlanta — from a script by Brian Duffield and Akiva Goldsman.

The sequel, set for release March 20, 2015, sees most of the cast returning, including Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, Jai Courtney and Zoe Kravitz. Among new additions are Octavia Spencer, who will play Johanna, Suki Waterhouse, Naomi Watts, Daniel Dae Kim and Jonny Weston.

The story follows Tris (Woodley) and Four (James), now fugitives on the run, who must find out what Tris’ family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them.

Lynn is one of the Dauntless-born initiates, and, in Veronica Roth‘s books, she’s described as beautiful and sporting a shaved head. She’s good friends with Uriah and Marlene (Waterhouse) in the books.

The first film based on Roth’s popular YA series, Divergent, opened in March, going on to earn $267 million worldwide.

In addition to Parenthood, Salazar also appeared on the first season of American Horror Story.

Her film credits include voicing a character in Epic and appearing in the 2014 film Jamesy Boy. She’ll next be seen in the upcoming films Search Party, Night Owls, Submerged and May the Best Man Win.

Rodriguez Wins Cine Latino Pride in Hollywood Award at Premios Tu Mundo

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez is the pride of Latino Hollywood…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress earned the Fandango Cine Latino Pride in Hollywood award this week at the Premios Tu Mundo, held at Miami’s American Airlines Arena.

Rodriguez, who won the award for her role in Fast & Furious 6, beat out Filly Brown’s Jenni Rivera, Epic’s Pitbull and Star Trek Into Darkness’ Zoe Saldaña.

Meanwhile, La Patrona was named Novela of the Year, while acting awards were given to cast members Aracely Arambula, Christian Bach, Gonzalo Garcia Vivanco and Jorge Luis Pila. The telenovela even won the award for Best Bad Luck Moment.

Other novela winners included one award each for El Rostro de la Venganza, Pasion Prohibida and El Señor de los Cielos.

In music, Prince Royce’s “Incondicional” won “Most Popular Song of the Year,” and Invencible by Alerta Zero received the mun2 presents Best Music Video prize.

TV personalities Maria Celeste Arraras and Ana Maria Polo were also honored, for Best Social Fan Club and Best Reality Moment for Caso Cerrado respectively. Gaby Espino just host the event; she also earned the I’m Sexy and I Know It award.

Best Athlete of the Year went to Argentine soccer star Leo Messi.

Special awards were given to Eva Longoria, who took homed the ALMA de Tu Mundo Awards, while Musical Powerhouse honors went to Daddy Yankee, who also performed.

Winners were chosen through fan voting on web, mobile and social media platforms; Telemundo viewers chose winners from 20 competing categories.

Click here for the full list of winners.

The Latest Trailer for “Epic,” Featuring Pitbull, Released

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s already considered a lively performer… But now Pitbull is getting really animated!

The 31-year-old Cuban American rap superstar, as previously reported, is lending his voice to the animated 3D film Epic. And, now 20thCentury Fox has released the second trailer for the film, directed by Ice Age’s Chris Wedge.

Pitbull voices the character of Bufo in the film, which centers on a girl who finds herself magically transported into a secret universe deep in the forest where there’s a major battle brewing between the forces of good and evil. She bands together with a rag-tag group of characters in order to save their world – and ours.

Along with Pitbull, the voice cast includes Amanda Seyfried, Beyonce, Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson, Jason Sudeikis and Steven Tyler.

Epic will be released on May 24, 2013.

Pitbull to Lend His Voice to the Animated Film “Epic”

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s already conquered the music world… And, now Pitbull is preparing to take on Hollywood.

The 31-year-old Cuban American singer—who sings the theme song to Men In Black III, entitled “Back in Time”—has been cast in Epic, a new 3D CG-animated film by the makers of Ice Age and Rio.

Pitbull is set to lend his voice to one of the animated film’s characters, Bufo.

The film, which had been developed under the title Leafmen, will star Beyonce Knowles as Queen Tara, Colin Farrell as Ronin, The Hunger Games’ Josh Hutcherson as Nod, Amanda Seyfried as Mary Katherine, Johnny Knoxville as Mandrake and Aziz Ansari as Mub.

Epic is described as a battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and evil. When a teenaged girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters to save that world, which in turn saves the real world.

Epic is slated for release on May 24, 2013.

Shakira Signs with Jay Z’s Roc Nation

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is switching teams… Management teams, that is.

The 35-year-old Colombian superstar is reportedly no longer under the management of Epic, according to XXL magazine.

Shakira has allegedly signed a management contract with Roc Nation, joining the likes of such artists as Rihanna, Melanie Fiona, J.Cole and Willow Smith.

The move presents Shakira with a great opportunity to expand her musical horizons and gives her a great pick of collaborators for her next music project.

Roc Nation—which was founded by Kanye West and Jay Z, the husband of Shakira’s “Beautiful Liar” collaboration partner Beyonce—also represents Santigold, Alexis Jordan and Jay Electronica.

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