Enrique Iglesias & Influence Media Partners Agree to Major Partnership Deal

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias has a new influence…

The 48-year-Spanish superstar and Influence Media Partners have agreed to a major partnership deal.

Influence and Iglesias have partnered on the rights management of his pre-2021 recorded music rights, according to a press release, including his independent masters and his Universal recorded music royalties, along with name, image and likeness (NIL) rights to expand future licensing opportunities for the singer.

This marks the first NIL deal for Influence Media, which last year partnered with Black Rock and Warner Music Group for funding and infrastructure.

“My songs hold immense significance for both my fans and me,” Iglesias said in a statement. “I’m excited to be working with the Influence Media team. I feel confident we will build an enduring partnership for my music and future projects.”

“Enrique is a global icon and having him as a part of our Influence Media family is a game-changing moment for us,” added Lylette Pizarro, Influence Media founder/co-managing partner. “For a quarter of a century, he has captivated fans globally with chart-topping and record-breaking hits. From ‘Experiencia Religiosa’ to ‘Hero’ and ‘Bailando’ to ‘I Like It’ and ‘Be With You,’ there are few artists who come close to accomplishing what Enrique has achieved commercially. He has played a pivotal role in introducing bilingual music to the masses. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with one of the most recognizable figures in modern music.”

“It has been an honor to be part of Enrique’s team for more than two decades,” said John Branca, partner/head of music at Ziffren Brittenham, who represented Iglesias in the deal. “As the most successful Latin artist of all time he is also one of the most accomplished and beloved artists of his generation. Enrique was highly selective in choosing a partner with whom he will enhance his already monumental legacy.”

With a career that spans over three decades, Iglesias is one of the first Spanish-language acts to successfully cross over into the English-language market. He has placed five top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “I Like It,” “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)” and “Hero.” He’s also placed three top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 (Escape, Euphoria and Sex And Love) and 27 No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart.

Currently on the U.S. Trilogy Tour with Pitbull and Ricky Martin, Iglesias most recently scored his eighth No. 1 on the Tropical Airplay chart with his bachata collab “Así Es La Vida” with Maria Becerra. He is set to drop his new album, Final Vol. 2, next year.

Influence Media previously acquired the commercially-released master recording catalog of Blake Shelton for his 2001-2019 output, Future’s song publishing catalog and Puerto Rican songwriter-producer Tainy’s song publishing catalog from 2005-2021, among other investments.

John Leguizamo Starring in “Bob Trevino Likes It”

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

John Leguizamo likes it!

The 63-year-old Colombian actor, comedian and film producer stars in Bob Trevino Likes It, which recently wrapped production in Louisville, Ky.

Bob Trevino Likes It marks the feature debut for writer and director Tracie Laymon.

In addition to Leguizamo, the film also stars Barbie Ferreira, best known for her work on Euphoria.

They appear alongside the previously announced French Stewart, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer and Rachel Bay Jones.

The film is inspired by Laymon’s life. It centers around a people-pleasing young woman who, while searching for her estranged father online, unexpectedly forms a close bond with a grieving, childless man with the same name on Facebook.

“This is a story about learning to let go of the people who continually hurt you to make room for the people who want to love and support you,” says Laymon. “Having personally experienced many of the events that inspired this film, I’ve witnessed how our small acts of kindness toward others create a ripple effect that can change the world for the better.”

“We are so pleased to have been able to help Tracie Laymon and her team get through principal photography. The cast has provided extraordinary performances,” says executive producer Kirk D’Amico. “I think distributors will be pleasantly surprised to see this unique comedy with heart come to life on the screen. We look forward to introducing the film to distributors around the world during this upcoming TIFF.”

Myriad Pictures has acquired worldwide sales rights and will launch sales out of Toronto in September.

The film is one of the first independent productions to be approved for a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement during the actors strike.

Mubi Acquires Distribution Rights Across Multiple Territories for “Priscilla,” Starring Jacob Elordi as Elvis

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jacob Elordi’s king of all projects is going global…

Mubi has acquired the rights across multiple territories for Sofia Coppola’s upcoming feature Priscilla, starring the 26-year-old half-Spanish Australian actor as Elvis Presley.

The announcement comes ahead of the film’s world premiere in Competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival.

Under the deal, the global film distributor, production company and streaming service will retain all rights in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Latin America, Benelux and Turkey.

The company is planning to release the drama theatrically in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Latin America, Belgium and Netherlands, starting in 2023, and will announce release dates soon.

The Match Factory is handling sales for the rest of the world excluding North America and Italy, which have been previously announced as pre-sold respectively to A24 and Rome-based Sky Italia subsidiary Vision Distribution.

Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, Priscilla is based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me co-authored by Priscilla Presley and Sandra Harmon.

Cailee Spaeny stars as Priscilla opposite Elordi (Euphoria, The Kissing Booth) as Elvis, with Dagmara Dominczyk also featuring in the cast.

The official synopsis reads: “When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend. Through Priscilla’s eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscilla’s long courtship and turbulent marriage, from a German army base to his dream-world estate at Graceland, in this deeply felt and ravishingly detailed portrait of love, fantasy, and fame.”

The production released a teaser trailer for the film back in June, showing quick shots of the Presleys’ story, from her school girl years and his Army days through marriage, pregnancy, parenthood and fame.

The film unites Coppola with a number of long-time collaborators including cinematographer Philippe Le Sourd, costume designer Stacey Battat, editor Sarah Flack and production designer Tamara Deverell.

The Match Factory is handling international sales for both films.

The Venice Film Festival runs August 9 to September 9.

AMC Releases Trailer for Colman Domingo’s Travel Series “You Are Here”

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is here for it all…

AMC has released the official trailer for the 53-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist’s upcoming travel series You Are Here.

Domingo, an Emmy and Tony Award winner, appears as host on the show, sharing personal and national stories as he takes viewers through four American cities: Savannah, Philadelphia, New York and Chicago.

The first two episodes premiere on June 19 at 7 p.m. ET.

Domingo is an award-winning actor, writer and director.

The Euphoria star has directed episodes of Fear of the Walking Dead and starred in the 2021 film Candyman.

You Are Here is produced by Domingo’s Edith Production and ZeroPointZero, and it was created in partnership with Johnnie Walker.

Scott Mescudi to Star in Sony Pictures’ Zombie-Themed Action Horror-Comedy “Hell Naw”

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Scott Mescudi will be fightin’ the fashionable undead…

The 39-year-old half-Mexican American rapper, singer and actor, known by his stage name Kid Cudi, will star in Sony Pictures’ action horror-comedy Hell Naw.

Euphoria creator Sam Levinson is producing, with screenwriters Keith & Kenny Lucas writing the script, which is in early development.

Mescudi will also produce along with his partners Karina Manashil and Dennis Cummings through their Mad Solar banner.

The plot is being kept under wraps, but the film is reportedly set during Paris Fashion Week and there will be zombies.

“This movie has been five years in the making. I am telling the world now, this film will f*ck you up in all the best ways,” said Mescudi. “I have been a horror fan since I was 7 years old, The first horror movies I ever saw were Night of the Living Dead and Evil Dead. And from that point on, I was hooked on the feeling of being frightened. I’ve been wanting to get into this world creating my own stories for a long time, and now, and after years of working it out in my head, it’s finally happening. Sam, The Lucas Brothers and myself have really crafted a tale we feel everyone who’s a fan of horror and comedy will enjoy. You will laugh, oh yes you will, but the horror aspect of this movie will really be something to see. You will be shook. I promise. Y’all know I don’t play around.”

The project marks a major star vehicle for Mescudi, who recently added the Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff series Knuckles to his future slate, joining Idris Elba last week. He also has the John Woo action film Silent Night.

Barbie Ferreira Starring in “Reimagining” of 1978 Horror “Faces Of Death”

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Death becomes Barbie Ferreira…

The 26-year-old Brazilian American actress will star opposite Josie Totah and Dacre Montgomery in the “reimagining” of 1978 horror Faces of Death, which will begin filming this month.

The Legendary Entertainment update of John Alan Schwartz’s controversial but commercially successful film is being co-written by Isa Mazzei and Daniel Goldhaber and directed by Goldhaber.

The original, shown in a documentary-like style centers on pathologist Francis B. Gröss and includes a variety of footage showing gruesome ways of dying. Some of the most iconic scenes were faked, but it also included pre-existing video footage of real deaths or the aftermath of death.

Mazzei and Goldhaber previously said: “Faces Of Death was one of the first viral video tapes, and we are so lucky to be able to use it as a jumping off point for this exploration of cycles of violence and the way they perpetuate themselves online.”

Ferreira’s previous credits include television appearances on Divorce, Euphoria and The Afterparty, as well as the films Unpregnant and Nope.

Colman Domingo Co-Producing the Broadway Production of “Fat Ham”

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is hamming it up…

The 53-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist, an Emmy winner and Tony Award, has signed on as co-producer of the upcoming Broadway production of James Ijames’ Pultizer Prize winning play Fat Ham.

Beginning performances on Tuesday, March 21, the production of Fat Ham at American Airlines Theatre has an official opening night of Wednesday, April 12 for a strictly limited 14-week engagement through Sunday, June 25.

The play, which has been described as a “comic tragedy,” reinvents Shakespeare’s Hamlet by setting it at a backyard cookout where Juicy, a queer, Black Southern college kid grappling with questions of identity, is met by the ghost of his father who shows up demanding that Juicy avenge his murder, even as Juicy is trying to break the cycles of trauma and violence in service of his own liberation.

Fat Ham on Broadway is a Public Theater and National Black Theatre co-production.

“I am beyond thrilled to be a co-producer on The National Black Theater and Public Theater transfer of James Ijames thrilling Fat Ham directed by my dear friend and visionary director Saheem Ali,” Domingo said in a statement to Deadline. “This is the kind of theater that we need on Broadway – bold reimaginings of stories that fuel us all.”

The Broadway transfer of Fat Ham from the Off Broadway Public Theatre represents National Black Theatre’s first production on Broadway, and only the third play to be transferred by a Black theater in Broadway’s century-long history. The complete Off Broadway cast will make the move to Broadway.

Domingo currently stars in Fear of the Walking Dead and Euphoria, and has completed filming of The Color Purple. He is a 2011 Tony Award nominee for his performance in The Scottsboro Boys musical.

Ana de Armas Among First Presenters Announced for Upcoming Golden Globe Awards

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ana de Armas is pretty for her golden hour…

The first string of presenters for the 80th Golden Globe Awards have been announced, with the 34-year-old Cuban and Spanish actress among those set to take the stage.

de Armas, who previously earned a Golden Globe nod for her breakout role in Knives Out, is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama this year for her performance as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez will also present at this year’s awards show.

The 31-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress made history when she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, becoming the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe in the history of the awards.

Colman Domingo has also made the presenters list…

The 52-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist is an Emmy Award winner for his performance on HBO’s Euphoria.

Others set to present Ana Gasteyer, Billy Porter, Jamie Lee Curtis, Natasha Lyonne, Nicole Byer, Niecy Nash-Betts, Quentin Tarantino and Tracy Morgan.

As the Hollywood Foreign Press Association looks to get back on its feet after weathering diversity controversies, it has been buzzed that personal reps wouldn’t allow their clients to get back on stage. However, as the HFPA has expanded its ranks with journalists of color, it appears that the industry is pivoting in its attitude toward the organization.

Jerrod Carmichael will host the ceremony airing live coast-to-coast on January 10 from 5-8 p.m. PT/8-11 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Produced by dick clark productions and Jesse Collins Entertainment in association with the HFPA, the Golden Globe Awards are viewed in more than 210 territories worldwide. Helen Hoehne is president of the HFPA. Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon will serve as executive producers.

Jacob Elordi to Star in TV Adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s Novel “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jacob Elordi has narrowed down his next project…

The 24-year-old Spanish-Australian actor and Euphoria star will serve as the lead in Justin Kurzel and Shaun Grant’s limited series adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

Kurzel and Grant’s adaptation had been in development with Fremantle for several years but Sony Pictures Television has taken rights and Sony’s recently-launched Australian label Curio Pictures will produce.

Elordi, who is best known for playing Nate in HBO smash hit Euphoria, will play Dorrigo Evans, an army surgeon whose brief love affair with Amy, the young wife of his uncle, sustains and haunts him through his darkest days as the reluctant leader of men prisoners in a Thai-Burmese camp during World War II.

The book won the 2014 Booker Prize and was critically acclaimed for its themes of war, marriage and love.

Kurzel is directing, Grant is writing and the pair are executive-producing alongside Flanagan, Porter and Rachel Gardner.

“The character of Dorrigo Evans requires a multi-layered actor who can bring strength, sensitivity and charisma to the role – qualities Jacob has in spades,” said Porter. “Together with the creative powerhouses of Justin Kurzel and Shaun Grant, there couldn’t be a more exciting team to bring this important novel to life.”

Elordi broke out in Netflix YA smash The Kissing Booth. He starred in Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, Zach Helm and Adrian Lyne’s Hulu feature Deep Water earlier this year and is playing Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla opposite Cailee Spaeny.

Jacob Elordi to Star as Elvis in Sofia Coppola’s Film “Priscilla”

Posted on September 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jacob Elordi has got a tale to tell…

The 25-year-old half-Spanish-Australian actor will star as Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s film Priscilla, about the King of Rock and Roll and his wife.

Coppola will direct the feature film, which is based on the memoir Elvis and Me by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley.

Cailee Spaeny will portray Priscilla Presley opposite Elordi as Elvis.

Published in 1985, Presley’s intimate account of her life with Elvis became a New York Times Bestseller and an international sensation. Coppola adapted the script as well.

Coppola had reportedly been eyeing this film for some time as her follow-up to On The Rocks and began putting the pieces together to the film off the ground by this fall. While she met with a number of actors for the Elvis role with Elordi ultimately landing the highly coveted role, Spaeny has been her top choice from Day 1 for the role of Priscilla.

The film will shoot in Toronto in the Fall.

Elordi is best known for his roles as Noah Flynn in Netflix‘s The Kissing Booth teen film franchise and Nate Jacobs in the HBO series Euphoria.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Euphoria