Javier Bardem to Star in Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Javier Bardem has landed a monster(s) role…

The 54-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor will star in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the second season of the acclaimed Netflix crime anthology Monster from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.

Bardem will star alongside Chloë Sevigny, Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch in the series.

Bardem abd Sevigny will respectively play Jose and Kitty Menendez, the Beverly Hills couple murdered by sons Lyle (Chavez) and Erik (Koch).

The new season comes on the heels of Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which starred Evan Peters as the notorious serial killer and quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular English-language series ever when it debuted in September 2022.

It was in 1989 that Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered parents Jose and Kitty in their L.A.-area home. Although not initially looked at as prime suspects, they came under investigation in the months following and eventually confessed to parricide, at the same time claiming that their actions stemmed from years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Their first of two trials, broadcast on Court TV, had the nation in its grip, much like the 1994 trial of O.J. Simpson, and is believed to have played a part in the modern-day fascination with true crime.

The prosecution argued that the pair were in fact seeking to inherit their father’s multimillion-dollar estate, and the Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, though the case continues to unfold to this day. Last summer, Erik and Lyle filed documents in hopes of a new hearing, following former Menudo bandmember Roy Rosselló’s claim that he was molested by José Menendez at the age of 14.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is one of two forthcoming seasons of the Monster anthology announced as of November 2022. The story at the center of the third chapter has not yet been revealed. In addition to the scripted series on the Menendez brothers, Netflix has a feature doc on the duo in the works, brought to life with exclusive access to the subjects.

Most recently portraying King Triton in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Bardem will next be seen in Dune: Part Two, out March 1 following a strike-imposed delay, and Apple’s Formula 1 racing movie with Brad Pitt.

Nicholas Chavez to Star in Ryan Murphy’s Anthology Series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Nicholas Chavez has landed a monster role…

The 23-year-old Latino actor and Daytime Emmy Award winner will star in Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

Chavez, who stars on General Hospital, and Cooper Koch will portray Lyle and Erik Menendez respectively.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story follows a successful Season 1 for the new franchise, which focused on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, played by Evan Peters.

Season 2 will tell the story of the real-life brothers who were convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez. Although the siblings eventually confessed to parricide, they have long sustained that the reason for their actions was due to physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

The case continues to unfold in real-time following a new development revealed in May. Erik and Lyle Menendez filed documents asking for a new hearing in response to former Menudo bandmember Roy Rosselló’s claims he was molested by José Menendez at the age of 14.

It is as yet unknown how much of the Menendez brothers’ lives will be covered in Season 2, but Netflix also has a forthcoming documentary feature on the pair with access to the duo.

Both Koch and Chavez are relative newcomers to the industry who will no doubt receive a boost from leading a Ryan Murphy series. Koch previously appeared in Season 1 of the hit Starz drama Power Book II: Ghost as the character Chase. Most recently, he has appeared in the horror films Swallowed and They/Them.

Chavez currently portrays Spencer Cassadine on ABC’s General Hospital. He also appeared in the Tubi Original, Crushed.

Ruby Cruz to Appear on HBO’s Limited Series “Mare of Easttown”

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ruby Cruz is heading to Easttown…

The Latina actress has joined the supporting cast of HBO’s Mare of Easttown, its upcoming limited series starring Kate Winslet.

Written by Brad Inglesby, and directed by Craig Zobel, Mare of Easttown stars Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a small-town Pennsylvania detective whose life crumbles around her as she investigates a local murder. The limited series is an exploration into the dark side of a close community and an authentic examination of how family and past tragedies can define our present.

The series is a co-production of HBO and Paul Lee’s wiip. It will premiere April 18 on HBO.

Cruz will portray Jess Riley, Erin McMenamin’s best friend.

The cast also includes Guy Pearce, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, Evan Peters, Cailee Spaeny, David Denman, John Douglas Thompson, Patrick Murney, James McArdle, Sosie Bacon, Joe Tippett and Neal Huff.

Cruz recurred in Hulu’s Castle Rock and guest-starred in Blue Bloods.

FX to Premiere MJ Rodriguez’s Dance Musical Series “Pose” in June

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

MJ Rodriguez is ready to strike a pose this summer…

FX has revealed the premiere date for Pose, the dance musical series starring the Latina transgender actress.

Hailing from creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals, the series will premiere at 9:00 pm ET on Sunday, June 3.

Pose explores the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society in 1980s New York: the ball culture world, the rise of the luxury Donald Trump-era universe and the downtown social and literary scene.

New Jersey couple Stan (Evan Peters) and Patty (Kate Mara) get sucked into the glamour and intrigue of the scene. James Van Der Beek plays Peters’ financial kingpin boss Matt.

The history-making Pose features the largest transgender series regular cast, including Rodriguez, as well as the largest LGBTQ cast ever for a scripted series.

The trans actors were cast after a six-month nationwide search led by casting director Alexa Fogel. In addition to Rodriguez, they include Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Hailie Sahar and Angelica Ross. All will be playing transgender characters.

The series also co-stars Tony Award winner Billy Porter and newcomers Ryan Jamaal Swain and Dyllon Burnside.

Murphy directed the first two of the eight-episode freshman season produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.

ARC Entertainment Acquires North American Rights to Alejandro’s “Safelight”

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Kevin Alejandro’s latest project has found safe passage to U.S. theaters…

ARC Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights to Safelight, starring the 39-year-0ld Mexican American actor and True Blood alum.

From writer/director Tony Aloupis, the film also stars Evan Peters and Juno Temple.

Safelight tells the story of three desperate individuals whose paths perilously cross in a dusty desert town. Charles (Peters) is a high school senior with physical challenges; Vicki (Temple) is a troubled runaway turning tricks at a truck stop; and Skid (Alejandro) is her dangerously psychotic pimp, who has a huge chip on his shoulder. Their lives take a menacing turn when the Charles and Vicki embark on a road trip without Skid up the California coast to photograph lighthouses. The three characters eventually face each other in a violent showdown that will change their lives forever.”

The film will be released in theaters and on VOD on July 17.

Ferreira to Make Feature Debut in the Indie Film “Elvis & Nixon”

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Sky Ferreira has landed a King of a role for her feature film debut…

The 22-year-old part-Brazilian singer-songwriter has joined the star-studded cast of the film Elvis & Nixon, the true story drama that has begun shooting in Atlanta.

The indie film centers on actor Michael Shannon as Elvis Presley, The King, has he embarks on a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet President Richard Nixon, being played by Kevin Spacey.

Liza Johnson is directing the film that also has Evan Peters, Colin Hanks, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Knoxville and Tracy Letts in its supporting cast.

The movie tells of the infamous Dec. 21, 1970, meeting between Presley and Nixon, both men at the height of their power in their respective fields.

The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon an urgent six-page letter requesting a visit and suggesting that he be made a “Federal Agent-at-Large” in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Pettyfer is playing Jerry Schilling, Elvis’ best friend who accompanies the singer to D.C. In her screen debut, Ferreira will portray Schilling’s love interest.

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