Luis Guzman to Star in Aristotle Torres’ Directorial Debut

Luis Guzmán has a Story to tell…

The 65-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star in Aristotle Torres’ feature directorial debut Story Ave, for FirstGen Content and Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole Productions.

Luis GuzmanGuzman will star opposite Asante Blackk in the film, which has wrapped production in New York.

It will also star Alex Hibbert, Melvin Gregg, Cassandra Freeman and Coral Peña.

Based on Torres’ 2018 short of the same name co-written by Bonsu Thompson — which was, in turn, based on Torres’ life — Story Ave follows a teenage graffiti artist (Blackk) who, after running away from home, holds up an unsuspecting MTA worker (Guzmán) in a robbery gone right that changes their lives forever.

Story Ave is a FirstGen Content and Foxxhole Entertainment Production, in association with Mero Mero Production, The Space Program, and Dark Rabbit Productions.

Torres and Thompson developed the feature through the Sundance Director and Screenwriter Labs, with Guzmán and his son, executive producer Cemi Guzmán of Dark Rabbit Productions, joining the project in its infancy and proving instrumental in advancing Torres’ vision.

Blackk is an Emmys and Critics’ Choice Award nominee who found his breakout role in Ava DuVernay’s Netflix limited series When They See Us, which had him portraying Central Park Five member Kevin Richardson.

The actor most recently appeared on NBC’s hit show This Is Us as Déjà Pearson’s (Lyric Ross) boyfriend, Malik, and is set to make his feature debut in Cory Finley’s Landscape with Invisible Hand for MGM and Plan B, opposite Tiffany Haddish.

Guzmán is an Independent Award nominee known for turns in such films as The Taking of Pelham 123Fast Food NationWaiting…Anger ManagementPunch-Drunk LoveThe Count of Monte CristoTrafficBoogie Nights and Carlito’s Way, among many others. Notable TV credits include HightownUltra City SmithsShamelessGodfather of Harlem, RoadiesNarcos and Oz. The actor recently made an appearance on Peacock’s The Resort and will next be seen in Netflix’s Addams Family series Wednesday, as well as Gareth Evans’ action-thriller Havoc, among other projects