Yul Vazquez to Star in MGM+’s Crime Thriller “Hotel Cocaine”

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Yul Vazquez is checking into his next project…

The 58-year-old Cuban-American actor and musician is set as a lead opposite Danny Pino and Michael Chiklis in Hotel Cocaine, MGM+’s upcoming crime thriller from creator Chris Brancato.

Hotel Cocaine is the story of Roman Compte (Pino), a Cuban expatriate who fought against Fidel Castro in the Bay of Pigs invasion and re-made his life in Miami. He is general manager of the Mutiny Hotel, the glamorous epicenter of the Miami cocaine scene of late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The Mutiny Hotel was Casablanca on cocaine, a glitzy nightclub, restaurant and hotel frequented by Florida businessmen and politicians, international narcos, CIA and FBI agents, models, sports stars and musicians.

Vazquez will play Nestor Cabal, Roman Compte’s (Pino) brother and one of the biggest suppliers of cocaine to a coke-hungry Miami population. He’s dangerous, funny, wily, and seeking reunion with his long-lost brother.

Chiklis plays Agent Zulio who will stop at nothing to shut down the drug trade, even if it means using innocent civilians to accomplish his ends.

Brancato serves as executive producer and showrunner. Guillermo Navarro will direct the pilot episode and executive produce the series, with Michael Panes and Alfredo Barrios Jr. also serving as executive producers.

The eight-episode series from MGM+ Studios, in partnership with MGM Television, will begin production in May in the Dominican Republic, and is slated to premiere in early 2024.

Vazquez will next be seen in the HBO Max limited series White House Plumbers, opposite Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux. He was most recently seen on season 3 of the MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem opposite Forest Whitaker and in the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series, Severance, directed by Ben Stiller.

His other credits include Jason Bateman’s HBO series The Outsider, ABC’s Promised Land, Netflix’s Russian Doll, TNT miniseries I Am The Night and HBO’s Succession, among others.

His film work includes Books of Blood, Last Flag Flying, Gringo, Traffic and The Infiltrator.

Yul Vazquez to Star on Season 3 of MGM+’s “Godfather of Harlem”

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Yul Vázquez has landed a (god)father of a role…

The 57-year-old Cuban-American actor and musician is teaming up with Forest Whitaker in the upcoming third season of Godfather of Harlem in a major recurring role.

Godfather of Harlem tells a story inspired by infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from eleven years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles.

Season Three will find Bumpy Johnson continuing to battle for control of Harlem, with other aspirants to the throne, namely the Cuban Mafia from neighboring Spanish Harlem.

Taking on the Cuban mob will put Bumpy, his loved ones, and his community in the crosshairs of not only the rival Italians, but ruthless Latin assassins and, ultimately, the CIA. Godfather of Harlem is a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.

Vázquez portrays Jose Miguel Battle, a former Cuban policeman who reestablishes himself as head of the Cuban Mafia in New York City. Forced into a marriage of convenience with Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), Battle and Bumpy will engage in a bloody war with the Italians for control of Harlem.

Vázquez is featured in the Season 3 trailer.

The season 3 cast also includes Vincent D’Onofrio, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jason Alan Carvell, Lucy Fry and Antoinette Crowe-Legacy.

The series is produced by ABC Signature, with Swizz Beatz serving as executive music producer.

Godfather of Harlem Season 3 premieres on Sunday, January 15 on MGM+. Godfather of Harlem aired on Epix, which is being rebranded as MGM+ in 2023.

Vázquez was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series, Severance, directed by Ben Stiller.

His upcoming roles include the HBO Max limited series The White House Plumbers opposite Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux. Additional credits include ABC’s Promised Land, HBO’s The Outsider, Netflix’s Russian Doll and the TNT miniseries I Am The Night.

Eiza González to Star in Gael Garcia Bernal & Diego Luna’s Hulu Originals Series “La Máquina”

Posted on September 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Eiza González is a machine…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer will star opposite Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal in the Hulu Originals limited series La Máquina.

La Máquina follows an aging boxer (Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.

Gonzalez will portray Irasema, an aspiring sports journalist who approaches boxing as more of an art form. She’s the ex-wife of Esteban (Bernal), who she still deeply cares for, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and Andy (Luna) since they were teenagers.

La Máquina is produced by Searchlight Television, Bernal and Luna’s banner La Corriente del Golfo. It will stream on Disney’s DTC platforms as a Hulu Original in the U.S.

Marco Ramirez serves as executive producer and showrunner, with Bernal, Luna, Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperín, Adam Fishbach, and Kyzza Terrazas onboard as executive producers. Gabriel Ripstein will direct.

González most recently wrapped filming The Three-Body Problem for Netflix, and Apple TV+’s anthology series Extrapolations with Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker and Marion Cotillard.

González can also be seen in Michael Bay’s Ambulance opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen.

Aubrey Plaza to Star in Francis Ford Coppola’s Passion Project “Megalopolis”

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Aubrey Plaza is having a mega moment…

The 38-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/comedian will star in Francis Ford Coppola’s passion project Megalopolis.

The film stars Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight and Laurence Fishburne.

Coppola is directing the project from his own script.

The contemporary drama is described as follows: The fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition, genius and conflicted love.

The film’s budget will be just under $100 million, and production begins this fall.

Plaza recently starred in the film Emily the Criminal, which premiered earlier this year Sundance Film Festival.

She is also set to star in the next season of HBO’s hit anthology series The White Lotus.

Juanes to Receive ‘International Peace Honors’ Award from PeaceTech Lab

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is keepin’ the peace…

The 49-year-old Colombian musician will be honored for his “dedication to youth empowerment and peace” during the 2022 International Peace Honors presented by PeaceTech Lab.

Juanes joins an elite group of honorees including actor, executive producer and activist Forest Whitaker; the creator of Humans of New York, Brandon Stanton; and indigenous youth leader and environmentalist, Tokata Iron Eyes of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, among others.

“It is a privilege to be recognized by the International Peace Honors,” said Juanes, who 15 years ago co-founded peace-building non-profit organization Mi Sangre Foundation in his native Colombia. “I am beyond honored and thrilled to be among this group of impassioned leaders working to make the world a more inclusive, and peaceful place. I was blessed to embrace music as a creative outlet at a time of great turmoil during my youth, and now through Mi Sangre Foundation, we aim to create a space for today’s youth as they wrestle with the overlapping and ongoing crises in Colombia. A space where they can peacefully and purposefully pave their own paths out of any difficulties they encounter and become active leaders of change in the communities.”

“Once you’re at the top, to reach behind you and extend your hand to lift others up too, is the mark of a true star. Juanes has reached the pinnacle of success and has found a way to continue to make a difference in the world — not only with his music and talent, but with lasting, effective peace building methods which empower the next generation of peace builders. It’s an honor to recognize him as an International Peace Honoree,” stated Sheldon Himelfarb, president and CEO of PeaceTech Lab.

The International Peace Honors “celebrates the work of the most outstanding global leaders and change-agents of our time who make philanthropy and humanitarian service a hallmark of their lives, to advance humanity and our planet,” according to a press release.

Host and performers for the ceremony, set to take place on Sunday, February 27, will be unveiled in the upcoming weeks.

The ceremony will be broadcasted digitally via PeaceTech Lab’s social media platforms.

Eiza Gonzalez to Star in Apple TV+’s Climate Change Anthology Drama Series “Extrapolations”

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Eiza Gonzalez is taking a look at the effects of climate change…

The 31-year-old Mexican actress and singer will be part of Apple TV+’s climate change anthology drama series Extrapolations.

In addition to Gonzalez, other stars set to join the series include Forest Whitaker, Marion Cotillard and Tobey Maguire.

The series hails from Scott Z. Burns.

They join the likes of Meryl Streep, Sienna Miller, Kit Harington, Tahar Rahim, Matthew Rhys, Daveed Diggs, Gemma Chan, David Schwimmer and Adarsh Gourav in the project.

The series, currently in production, tells stories of how the upcoming changes to the planet will affect love, faith, work and family on a personal and human scale. Told over a season of eight interconnected episodes, each story in the scripted series will track the worldwide battle for our mutual survival spanning the 21st century.

Whitaker plays small-time investor August Bolo, Cotillard plays art dealer Sylvie Bolo, Maguire plays kelp farmer Nic and Gonzalez plays artist and influencer Elodie.

It comes from Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res with Burns as writer, director and exec producer.

Gonzalez, who starred in Baby Driver, is set to star in Netflix’s The Three Body Problem from the Game of Thrones showrunners.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Tessa Thompson’s Black & White Drama “Passing”

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Tessa Thompson is passing the time…

Netflix has released the official trailer for Rebecca Hall’s period drama Passing, starring the 37-year-old Afro-Panamanian actress and producer and Ruth Negga.

Hall, making her directorial debut, adapted the film from the 1929 novel by Nella Larson.

Netflix is preparing for the film’s New York Film Festival premiere on October 3, after which it will get a theatrical release followed by a debut on the streaming service on November 10.

The film, shot it black and white, tells the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Negga), who can “pass” as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in late 1920s New York.

After a chance encounter, Irene reluctantly allows Clare into her home, where she ingratiates herself to Irene’s husband (André Holland) and family, and soon her larger social circle as well. Irene soon finds her once-steady existence upended by Clare, and the story becomes one of obsession, repression and the lies people tell themselves and others to protect their carefully constructed realities.

Bill Camp, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy and Alexander Skarsgard also star in the film, which is produced by Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker, Margot Hand and Hall.

Netflix competed in a field of five bidders to win rights to Passing in a $15 million deal during the Sundance Film Festival.

Its release is timed to the now-underway movie awards season.

Eva Longoria Developing Latinx Family Drama “Chicano,” Based on Richard Vasquez’s Novel, for ABC

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria’s hoping to bring the Chicano story and struggle to the small screen.

The 45-year-old Mexican American actress and former Desperate Housewives star has joined forces with Natalie Chaidez and Forest Whitaker to develop the family drama Chicano, inspired by Richard Vasquez’s novel of the same name, for ABC.

Written by Chaidez, known for her work on 12 Monkeys, Hunters and The Sarah Connor Chronicles, the drama is a multi-generational saga about the Sandovals, a Mexican-American family that immigrates to Los Angeles in pursuit of the American Dream.

It will follow the struggles and triumphs of the Sandoval family from 1920 through present and explores the question of what it means to be American.

20th Century Fox Television is the studio on the project, which is being produced in association with Longoria and Ben Spector’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment and Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi’s Significant Productions.

ABC has handed the project a script and additional development material plus penalty commitment. Chaidez, Longoria, Spector, Whitaker, Yang Bongiovi serve as executive producers.

It’s the latest ABC project for UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, which is currently under a deal at 20th Century Fox Studios Television. The company previously produced Grand Hotel.

Development of the project began with one of the executive producers, Doug Pray, working with Sylvia Vasquez, daughter of Chicano author Richard Vasquez, while Chaidez is a third generation Mexican-American whose own family’s immigration journey closely parallels the story told in Chicano.

“Chicano is just the first of many projects that we expect from Eva and Ben as we look to ramp up our slate of Latinx programming. As part of our studio family, they are valuable partners in helping us expand our commitment to compelling stories for underrepresented communities,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. “With Forest, Nina, Natalie and Doug also at the helm of this project, we know we have the perfect powerhouse team to bring this Mexican-American family’s story to life and cultivate the next generation of Latinx storytelling.”

STXtv Developing Chicano-Themed Series “Once Upon a Time in Aztlan” to Star George Lopez

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

George Lopez has a little Timeon his hands for an ode to California’s Chicano culture…

STXtv is developing Once Upon a Time in Aztlan, a new television series anchored by the 59-year-old Mexican American actor/stand up comedian.

The project includes the participation of famed photographer Estevan Oriol and iconic Los Angeles-based artist Mister Cartoon aka Mark Machado.

Michael Connolly, under his Mad Hatter Entertainment banner, brought the elements together.

Lopez is in final talks to star and executive produce the project through his Travieso Productions, with Javier Rodriguez writing the pilot. Oriol and Cartoon will executive-produce.

“I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Cartoon, Estevan, Jada and Michael for this series and developing a show with STXtv,” Lopez said. “Cartoon and Estevan are the DaVincis of our community; they have been the street chroniclers of our uniquely Chicano story … our American story. I’m looking forward to working with them and the rest of the team to expand their canvas to capture the diverse stories and people that make our culture and community so amazing, colorful and vibrant.”

This authentic L.A.-based series examines a family coming to terms with the falsehoods of the American Dream and their ability to defy expectations.

“I want to create a vision of Los Angeles inspired by my tattoos and murals that enriches and showcases the culture, opening it up to new audiences,” Cartoon said. “Putting together the dream team of Latino street culture and a collection of creative minds headed up by George Lopez, who is born and raised in L.A. and is an icon of our community. George’s experience and sense of humor acts as a foundation for this team.”

The pilot will be directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, who helmed Eva Longoria and Demián Bichir in the Blumhouse/Imagine East L.A.-set drama, Lowriders.During that production, he worked closely with Oriol and Cartoon, who were also involved in the production.

Oriol and Cartoon’s longtime collaborators Mark Suroff and Marco Valadez, who produced LA Originals, also will serve as executive producers with Connolly.

“I’m looking forward to developing this with Cartoon, George, Jada and Michael,” said Oriol. “STXtv truly gets what it takes to develop a real show that can only be made in LA. This is the dream team. Period. It doesn’t get more authentic than this and I’m proud and privileged to be invited on this ride.”

Lopez recently released his first Netflix comedy special.

He previously starred in Lopez for TV Land and Saint George for FX. And he had a talk show that ran from 2009-11. While his hit comedy George Lopez, whichended in 2007, ran on ABC, STXtv will zero in on buyers in the cable and streaming markets.

Cartoon is L.A.’s legendary tattoo artist, designer and cultural icon whose stylish and influential global work has been featured on countless celebrities including Kobe Bryant, Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Lewis Hamilton, Snoop Dogg and many others. Cartoon also designed the logos for Cypress Hill and Eminem’s Shady Records, and his résumé includes cutting-edge designs for Nike, the LA Clippers and T-Mobile and others.

Oriol is an internationally celebrated photographer, director and urban lifestyle entrepreneur. Beginning as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and House of Pain, he developed a passion for photography as he documented life on the road to become hip-hop’s best-known chronicler; his work has been showcased in bestselling books, select galleries, and institutions, including the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives,Mesa Contemporary Art Center, Petersen Automotive Museum, and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles’ and New York’s Art in the Streets exhibit. He has photographed Eminem, Kim Kardashian, Cypress Hill, Dennis Hopper, Blink-182, Forest Whitaker, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Danny Trejo, among many others. He most recently executive produced the film Lowridersand directed the hit Netflix documentary L.A. Originals.

L.A. Originalswas critically acclaimed and extremely successful, introducing new fans to the world to Oriol and Cartoon.

Shakira to Take Part in Global Citizen’s “Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concert”

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Shakirais going global…

Global Citizen and the European Commission have joined forces for Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concert, with the43-year-oldColombian singer-songwriter set to perform.

Dwayne Johnson will host the event, which will take place on Saturday, June 27.

The Concertwill be televised worldwide and digitally streamed special that will highlight the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on marginalized communities.

In addition to Shakira, The Concertwill feature performances from Jennifer Hudson, Chloe x Halle, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay, J Balvin, Justin Bieber and Quavo, Miley Cyrus, Usher and Yemi Alade.

In addition, there will be appearances from Billy Porter, Charlize Theron, Chris Rock, David Beckham, Derrick Johnson, Diane Kruger, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Jackman, Ken Jeong, Kerry Washington,Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Olivia Colman, Opal Tometi, Salma Hayek Pinault, Antoni Porowski and more.

“Global Citizens around the world are calling for systemic change, change that brings about justice for everyone, everywhere, regardless of where they were born or the colour of their skin,” said Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen. “If we are to end COVID-19 for all, we need our world leaders to commit the billions of dollars needed to develop and equitably deliver testing, treatments and vaccines. Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concertwill bring the centuries-old concept of music as a motivator for change and unity, together with science and data, to honour the problem solvers – including doctors, scientists, lab workers, essential workers and human rights advocates – who are racing to not only create the cure for COVID-19, but also to ensure that it’s available for everyone who needs it.”

The Concertwill air on broadcasters across the globe including ARD,Canal+ Group, RTVE in Europe, Bell Media, CBC, Citytv, and Global TV, in Canada, NBC and iHeartMedia in the U.S.,Grupo Globo in Brazil, MultiChoice Group and SABC in Africa, Fuji TV and Star India in Asia, and Channel Nine in Australia.

The Concert will also be streamed on global platforms.

The virtual broadcast will celebrate innovators, scientists, health workers, activists and organizations working to develop and distribute COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines to everyone, everywhere who need them.

The Concertfollows Global Goal: Unite for Our Future—The Summit, a global pledging moment where world leaders, corporations and philanthropists will announce new commitments to help develop equitable distribution of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, as well as rebuild communities devastated by the pandemic.

The Summit will feature panel discussions and interviews moderated by journalists Katie Couric, Mallika Kapur, Morgan Radford, Isha Sesay and Keir Simmons. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Miley Cyrus, Angelique Kidjo and Ken Jeong will join the conversation as well as experts including Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Melinda Gates, Dr. Vin Gupta, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Eddie Ndopu, Abiola Oke, Kate Upton and Justin Verlander.

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