Colman Domingo Appointed to The Gotham Film & Media Institute Board of Directors

Colman Domingo is Gotham bound…

The 54-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor, who recently earned his first-ever Oscar nod, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Gotham Film & Media Institute.

Colman DomingoAs the newest member, he’ll work with The Gotham on their mission to celebrate and nurture independent film and media creators by providing career-building resources, access to industry influencers, and pathways to wider recognition.

Domingo joins a board that includes Focus Features Vice Chairman Jason Cassidy and multi-hyphenate Riley Keough, whose additions were announced in November.

Other members include Nancy Abraham, Anthony Bregman, Jeb Brody, Gerry Byrne, Alina Cho, Dan Crown, Mark D’Arcy (Director Emeritus), Amy Emmerich, Philipp Engelhorn, Kai Falkenberg, James Janowitz, Franklin Leonard, Stephanie March, Soledad O’Brien, Dee Poku, Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar, John Schmidt, Lisa Taback, Teddy Schwarzman, Drew Wilson, and Celia Winchester.

“As long-time admirers of Colman’s brilliant acting and dedication to giving back to our community through mentorship and education, we are thrilled to welcome him to The Gotham’s extraordinary Board of Directors,” said Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of The Gotham. “We know that his experience, vision, and undeniable dedication to the craft of filmmaking will help us nurture independent creators and propel the industry to new heights.”

Stated Domingo: “With its rich history of elevating original voices and supporting independent film, I couldn’t be more excited to dive into my work with The Gotham. I look forward to working alongside some of the most influential and passionate people in film as we champion independent creatives and the stories they strive to share with the world.”

In George C. Wolfe’s Rustin, from Netflix and the Obamas’ Higher Ground, Domingo portrays Bayard Rustin, the activist who helped change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington, confronting racism and homophobia all along the way. This awards season, he also can be seen portraying the menacing Mister in Blitz Bazawule’s new take on The Color Purple for Warner Bros & Amblin.

One of the most celebrated actors of his generation, Domingo is best known for his Emmy-winning performance as recovering drug addict Ali on HBO’s Euphoria, as well as for starring on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead. In addition to Ethan Coen’s comedic caper Drive-Away Dolls, out February 23 via Focus Features, he’ll next be seen in A24’s drama Sing Sing and Netflix limited series The Madness.

Also active as a director and producer, Domingo was in Sundance this past week in support of It’s What’s Inside, the Greg Jardin horror film snapped up by Netflix in a massive $17M deal, on which he’s an EP.

Colman Domingo to Star as Joe Jackson in the Michael Jackson Biopic “Michael”

Colman Domingo has landed a father of a role…

The 54-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor, who recently earned his first-ever Oscars nomination, has landed the role of Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson in Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International’s Michael Jackson biopic Michael.

Colman DomingoJoe Jackson was known for his hard-driving management and often controversial parenting of the Jackson 5. Domingo joins Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, who is playing his King of Pop uncle in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film from Oscar-winning producer Graham King and his GK Films. Three-time Oscar nominee John Logan wrote the screenplay.

“Few actors present themselves with Colman’s screen presence and force of will,” said King. “We’re so fortunate to have an actor with his undeniable talent portraying Joe Jackson on screen. We couldn’t be more excited to have him join us on this journey.”

Fuqua added, “Colman has such incredible range – he puts in the work to deeply inhabit his characters and understand their true essence and motivation. I’m grateful to be working with an actor with his passion and ability to portray the many sides of Joe Jackson: a husband, a father and a manager.”

Domingo said, “I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon. Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex and flawed character to portray in Joe Jackson, but I also have a front row seat for Jaafar’s incredible transformation. After seeing him in rehearsal, my mind was blown. There is something divine about the way that Jaafar is channeling his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of Michael’s essence is simply on another level.”

Domingo’s turn in Rustin also earned him BAFTA, SAG Award and Golden Globes nominations. He’s also an Emmy winner for his guest role on HBO’s Euphoria and his recent work includes in Ma Rainey’s Black BottomZola, the newly conceived musical film version The Color Purple, as well as his just-completed starring role on Fear the Walking Dead.

Upcoming for the actor is Ethan Coen’s movie Drive-Away Dolls opposite Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp and Matt Damon, which arrives on February 23.

Later this year, he will be seen starring in the feature film Sing, Sing and in The Madness, a new Netflix limited series.

Michael will be produced by King and the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain. It is getting an overseas release from Universal Pictures International (sans Japan, which Lionsgate is handling). The film bows day-and-date around the world on April 18, 2025.

Pedro Pascal in Final Negotiations to Star in Paramount’s Untitled “Gladiator” Sequel

Pedro Pascal is ready to Rome

The 48-year-old Chilean actor is thisclose to joining the cast of the untitled Gladiator sequel for Paramount.

Pascal would join Paul Mescal, who will star as Lucius, as well as Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.

Ridley Scott is returning to direct.

Pascal’s role is unknown.

The new film follows the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, which earned more than $460 million in worldwide box office and was nominated for 12 Oscars, winning five including Best Picture.

The role of Maximus, the Roman general-turned-gladiator, was a career-changer for Russell Crowe, not only delivering him the Best Actor Oscar but also launching him to the top of every leading-man list. Once it was made clear last year that the sequel would be Scott’s next movie, every male actor in town that fit the profile began chasing the part.

David Scarpa penned the script.

Also returning from the original film are John Mathieson (director of photography), Arthur Max (production designer) and Janty Yates (costume designer).

Paramount Pictures has dated the film for November 22, 2024.

The first film was co-production between Universal and DreamWorks, and while DreamWorks will not be involved in the sequel, Universal has the right to partner again when the project is packaged.

Pascal has been a major player following his scene-stealing role in his one season on Game of Thronesbut his star has blasted off following The Last of Uswhich has become one of the most popular shows in HBO’s history. While HBO is looking to get the show up and going next year, Pascal had been weighing a number of options to shoot before jumping back in to that and the opportunity on this film was too hard to pass up.

Besides The Last of Us, which will certainly have him in award season chatter this Emmy season, he also reprised his role on the Disney+ series The Mandalorianwhich just had its Season 3 finale last week.

Pascal can next be seen starring alongside Ethan Hawke in Pedro Almodovar’s short film Strange Way of Life, which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and will be distributed by Sony Pictures Classics this fall.

Additionally, Pascal is in Ethan Coen’s film Drive-Away Dolls, distributed by Focus Features and releasing in September. Pascal also stars in Anna Boden’s Freaky Tales, which is likely to come out later this year.

He also hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this year, earning rave reviews, and is also in contention for some Emmy love this awards season.

Annie Gonzalez to Star as the Late Jenni Rivera in Family-Authorized Biopic “Jenni”

Annie Gonzalez will be portraying a late banda legend…

The Latina actress will star in an authorized biopic about the life of Jenni Rivera has been greenlit at ViX.

Annie GonzalezIn addition to starring, Gonzalez will also executive produce the film.

Filming of Jenni (wt) is underway in Bogota, Colombia, and will be completed in Los Angeles.

The project is set to premiere exclusively via ViX and in select movie theaters in the United States and Mexico later this year.

Jenni (wt) will follow Rivera’s journey from her humble beginnings in Long Beach, California, to her meteoric rise to the top of the charts, and her final days before her tragic and unexpected death. The film will also share a look at the struggles she endured in her personal life and how she became the artist fans all know and love today, and how she persevered and found strength from within.

The streamer notes, Jenni is a story of resilience and bravery that shows the building blocks of what made Jenni Rivera—also known affectionately as “La Diva De La Banda”— who she was and the remarkable legacy she left behind.

“My siblings and I are very excited about this biopic and we know our mother’s story will impact generations to come,” Jacqie Rivera, daughter of Jenni Rivera and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises said in a statement. “It has been an uphill battle, but we are happy to see one of our mom’s dreams come to fruition. Although we still haven’t gotten used to seeing someone portray our mother, we have faith Annie will do a great job.”

As a multiple award-winning artist—including multiple Billboard Music Awards, 22 Billboard Latin Music Awards, 18 Lo Nuestro Awards, and four Latin Grammy nominations— Rivera is not only known as one of the best-selling Regional Mexican artists of all time but also for her role in disrupting cultural precedent by crossing into banda, a male-dominated music genre and eventually into pop music, where her presence posthumously continues to shine. Rivera died in a plane crash in 2012.

“I am beyond honored to portray the essence of this phenomenal survivor that is Jenni Rivera who despite adversity at every turn was never a victim and showed her daughters, her family, and her audience what grace, forgiveness, and true authenticity is— liberating us all,” Gonzalez shared. “Jenni’s messages of feminism, civil rights, and nonconformity within her music were well before her time and made space for all of us to feel empowered. With the support of the Rivera family, I cannot wait to help tell the beautiful story and the impactful legacy of what Jenni means to me personally and what it will mean to women and Latinas everywhere.”

Manuel Uriza will star opposite Gonzalez in the role of Pedro Rivera, Jenni’s father, and Regional Mexican entrepreneur. The cast also includes Cinthya Carmona (East Los High) as Jenni Rivera’s eldest daughter, Chiquis Rivera, Jero Medina (Narcos: Mexico) and Miguel Angel Garcia (The Long Game) who will dually portray Trino Marín, Rivera’s first husband and father of her three eldest children at later and earlier stages in his life, respectively.

Additionally, Gabriela Reynoso (Si Nos Dejan) will be portraying Jenni’s mother Rosa Saavedra, J.R. Villarreal (Ultra Violet) will play Juan “Cinco” Lopez, Jenni’s late second husband, and newcomer Tatiana Juarez will portray Rivera during her early years.

“ViX is thrilled to be the official home and distributor of this powerful story about Jenni Rivera. Our commitment to this project is paramount and, along with a fantastic production team and director, we know we will have a film that will captivate our audiences,” stated Augusto Rovegno, Senior Vice President of Content ViX at TelevisaUnivision.

Gigi Saul Guerrero (Culture Shock) directs from a screenplay by Shane McKenzie (Bingo Hell).

Gonzalez is gearing up to promote Flamin’ Hot, the Eva Longoria-directed Searchlight Pictures film about how Frito Lay janitor Ricardo Montañez climbs the ranks at work and creates the spicy Cheeto snack. Flamin’ Hot premieres at SXSW on March 11 followed by a wide release via Hulu in June. The Chicana actress portrays the character of Judy, Montañez’s wife, opposite Jesse Garcia.

She also recently starred in Illegally Brown alongside Jessica Marie Garcia from filmmaker, Gabby Revilla Lugo, which is currently playing on the film festival circuit. Additionally, Gonzalez can next be seen in the upcoming independent thriller Body Language and an untitled Ethan Coen project.

Gonzalez is best known for her portrayal of Lidia Solis in the Netflix comedy series Gentefied and her guest roles in Apple’s Mr. Corman, Starz’s Vida, NBC’s Good Girls, Showtime’s Shameless, and FX’s American Horror Story, among other credits.

Nick Gomez to Star on Season 5 of FX’s “Fargo”

Nick Gomez is headed to Fargo

The Latino actor has joined the cast of FX’s Fargo for the series’ fifth season.

Nick GomezGomez is among a list of new cast additions that includes David Rysdahl, Sam Spruell and Jessica Pohly.

They join the previously announced Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris and Richa Moorjani.

The latest installment is set in 2019, and asks the question: when is a kidnapping not a kidnapping, and what if your wife isn’t yours?

Gomez will play Agent Joaquin.

Noah Hawley (creator/writer/director), and his production company 26 Keys, lead the creative team behind the latest installment. Warren Littlefield via his production company The Littlefield Company, also serves as Executive Producer along with Joel & Ethan Coen and others.

Fargo is produced by MGM Television and FX Productions, with MGM Television serving as the lead studio and MGM distributing the series internationally.

Gomez most recently starred in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. His other credits include Criminal Minds, SEAL Team, General Hospital and Bosch.

Isaac Named Best Actor by the Vancouver Film Critics Circle

Oscar Isaac continues his winning ways in The Great White North…

The 33-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor has followed up his Toronto Film Critics Association win for Best Actor with a trophy from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle.

Oscar Isaac

Isaac’s critically acclaimed performance in Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis earned the Best Actor award during 14th edition of the Canadian fest on Tuesday night.

But Isaac wasn’t the night’s only Latino award winner…

Vancouver critics also named Alfonso Cuaron best director for sci-fi survival thriller Gravity, while Dallas Buyers Club‘s Jared Leto earned the best supporting actor prize.

Here’s the complete winners list:

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS BEST FILM
12 Years a Slave

BEST ACTOR
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

BEST DIRECTOR
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

BEST SCREENPLAY
Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis

BEST FOREIGN FILM
The Hunt

BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Act of Killing

CANADIAN AWARDS BEST CANADIAN FILM
The Dirties

BEST ACTOR IN A CANADIAN FILM
Matt Johnson, The Dirties

BEST ACTRESS IN A CANADIAN FILM
Sophie Desmarais, Sarah Prefers to Run

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A CANADIAN FILM
Alexandre Landry, Gabrielle

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A CANADIAN FILM
Lise Roy, Tom at the Farm

BEST DIRECTOR OF A CANADIAN FILM
Jeff Barnaby, Rhymes for Young Ghouls

BEST CANADIAN DOCUMENTARY
My Prairie Home

BEST FIRST FILM BY A CANADIAN DIRECTOR
The Dirties

BEST BRITISH COLUMBIA FILM
Down River

IAN CADDELL AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Al Sens

AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Corinne Lea

Isaac Named Best Actor by the National Society of Film Critics

Oscar Isaac is officially the (film) critics’ choice…

The 33-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor, a first time Golden Globe nominee, earned Best Actor honors from the National Society of Film Critics during the organization’s 48th annual awards over the weekend.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Isaac won the award for his starring performance in Joel and Ethan Coen’s drama Inside Llewyn Davis.

The film, which was named Best Picture at this weekend’s awards show with 23 votes, centers on Isaac’s character, a young folk singer navigating the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961.

In all, Inside Llewyn Davis earned four awards.

The society, made up of 56 critics from across the United States, considered any film that opened in the U.S. during 2013.

The list of winners:

Best Film – Inside Llewyn Davis
Best Director – Joel and Ethan Coen (Inside Llewyn Davis)
Best Foreign Language Film – Blue Is the Warmest Color
Best Non-Fiction Film (Tie) –  The Act of Killing (Joshua Oppenheimer), At Berkeley (Frederick Wiseman)
Best Screenplay – Before Midnight (Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke)
Best Cinematography – Bruno Delbonnel (Inside Llewyn Davis)
Best Actor – Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis)
Best Actress – Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Best Supporting Actor – James Franco (Spring Breakers)
Best Supporting Actress – Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Experimental Film – Leviathan (Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel)

Isaac’s Singing Takes Center Stage in New “Inside Llewyn Davis” Featurette

Here’s another look at Oscar Isaac making sweet music…

The 33-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor appears in yet another Inside Llewyn Davis featurette.

Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis

The video offers a behind-the-scenes look at Isaac, Justin Timberlake and Adam Driver recording of one of the more popular songs in the film from Joel and Ethan Coen.

The film’s executive music producer T Bone Burnett chimes in about writing the lyrics and melody for “Please Mr. Kennedy” and sending it to the Coens for their opinion.

The song was recorded live in the studio — and wound up being the version included in the film about an early-’60s folk singer in Greenwich Village.

Isaac Appears in “Inside Llewyn Davis” Featurette

Oscar Isaac is more than a great actor… He’s also a talented singer.

The 33-year-old Guatemalan/Cuban actor, who is earning rave reviews and award nominations for his performance in Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis, is featured in a new video for the film that highlights his musicality.

Inside Llewyn Davis

In the video, the directors explain how their collaboration with T Bone Burnett created a musical sound that was as important as dialogue in capturing the early ’60s folk music scene in Inside Llewyn Davis.

They explain how they and Isaac pulled it off in the CBS Films release, which has earned a lot of Oscar buzz.

Isaac Named Best Actor by the Toronto Film Critics Association

Oscar Isaac is the man in Toronto…

The 33-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor, who earned his first Golden Globe nomination earlier this month, has been named Best Actor by the Toronto Film Critics Association.

Oscar Isaac

Isaac earned the award for his performance as a folk singer in in early-’60s Greenwich Village in Ethan and Joel Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis, which was named Best Picture.

But Isaac wasn’t the only Latino winner…

Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón took home the prize for Best Director for his critically acclaimed work on the 3D sci-fi thriller Gravity.

The 2013 TFCA Awards will be presented at a gala dinner hosted by Cameron Bailey on January 7 at Toronto’s Carlu.

Here is the full list of winners and runners-up:

BEST PICTURE
“Inside Llewyn Davis”
Runners-up:
“Her”, “12 Years a Slave”

BEST ACTOR
Oscar Isaac, “Inside Llewyn Davis”
Runners-up: Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave”, Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”
Runners-up: Julie Delpy, “Before Midnight”, Greta Gerwig, “Frances Ha”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”
Runners-up: Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave”, James Franco, “Spring Breakers”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle”
Runners-up: Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”, June Squibb, “Nebraska”

BEST DIRECTOR
Alfonso Cuarón, “Gravity”
Runners-up: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, “Inside Llewyn Davis”, Steve McQueen, “12 Years a Slave”

BEST SCREENPLAY, ADAPTED OR ORIGINAL
Spike Jonze, “Her”
Runners-up: Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy, “Before Midnight”, Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, “Inside Llewyn Davis”

BEST FIRST FEATURE
“Neighboring Sounds”, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Runners-up: “Fruitvale Station”, directed by Ryan Coogler, “In a World …”, directed by Lake Bell

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
“The Wind Rises”
Runners-up: “The Croods”, “Frozen”

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
“A Touch of Sin”
Runners-up: “Blue Is the Warmest Color”, “The Hunt”

BMO ALLAN KING DOCUMENTARY AWARD
“The Act of Killing”
Runners-up: “Leviathan”, “Tim’s Vermeer”

ROGERS BEST CANADIAN FILM AWARD FINALISTS
“The Dirties”
“Gabrielle”
“Watermark”