Rodriguez Joins Voice Cast of Sony Pictures Animation’s “The Star”

Gina Rodriguez is wishing on a Star

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican actress has joined the A-list voice cast of Sony Pictures Animation’s The Star.

Gina Rodriguez

The story follows a small but brave donkey named Bo (Steven Yeun) who yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. As the logline states: “One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.”

In addition to Yeun and Rodriguez, the Golden Globe-winning star of the CW’s Jane the Virgin who will voice Mary in the film, the star-studded voice cast includes Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tracy MoranKris Kristofferson, Kristin ChenowethKelly ClarksonGabriel Iglesias, Ving Rhames and Christopher Plummer who will voice King Herod.

Directed by Oscar-nominated writer-director Timothy Reckart, the family-friendly film will be released wide on November 10.

The screenplay was written by Carlos Kotkin from a story by Kotkin and Simon Moore.

Fuse Renews Iglesias’ “Fluffy Breaks Even” with New Title and Format

Gabriel Iglesias isn’t blowing his Fuse… deal…

Fuse has greenlighted a third season of the 40-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor’s series with a new title and format, while adding companion digital components.

Gabriel Iglesias

The cable net, which targets a Latino and multicultural 18-34 audience, said that Fluffy Breaks Even will be renamed Fluffy’s Food Adventures for the third season and will return in the summer.

Ahead of the rejiggered series’ premiere, Fuse is adding three shortform series for its digital and social platforms, the first being the working-titled Fluffy Off the MenuThe others will be unveiled later.

“Fluffy cannot be contained on just one screen,” Iglesias said. “I can’t wait to unveil what Fuse and I are cooking up for the next season on TV and the new digital series.”

Season 2 of Fluffy Breaks Even reached 4.5 million total viewers, according to Nielsen, and featured celebrity guests including NFL coach Ron RiveraCristela alum Carlos Ponce and NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez.

Season 3 will see Iglesias, aka Fluffy, and his eccentric stand-up tour mates Martin Moreno, Rick Gutierrez, Alfred Robles and G Reilly as they visit Harlem, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans and Nashville for a taste of the locals’ favorite spots.

Meanwhile, Fluffy Off the Menu will see chefs teaching Iglesias how to cook an item off of his or her menu, including bacon-wrapped bacon at BluJean in Harlem and crickets at Guelaguetza in Los Angeles. The additional two digital originals will incorporate fan engagement with Iglesias’ unique and humorous spin. All three will be exclusive to Fuse’s digital platforms, with different versions being created for the network’s social channels.

“We have big plans for Gabriel to expand his reach across platforms as we continue to grow our online and mobile presence,” said Michael Dugan, VP Original Content at Fuse Media. “Our audience couldn’t get enough of Fluffy for the first two seasons of his series, and in 2017, there will be more opportunities than ever for fans to connect with one of the most talented comedians around.”

Fluffy’s Food Adventures and Fluffy Off the Menu are exec produced by Iglesias and co-produced with B-17 Entertainment and Arsonhouse Entertainment.

Iglesias Lands on Forbes’ Highest Paid Comedians List

Gabriel Iglesias is causing laughs all the way to the bank…

The 40-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor has been named to ForbesHighest Paid Comedians list, coming in at No. 8.

Gabriel Iglesias

Iglesias, comically known as Fluffy, is the only Latino to make the list, with earning of $9.5 million

More than 100 shows in a 12-month period, Iglesias earns the majority of his money from live shows. Additionally, he stars on the reality show Fluffy Breaks Even, among other projects.

The magazine compiled the estimated income from June 2015 to June 2016.

Check out the list at Forbes.com.

Open Road Films to Release Iglesias’ “The Nut Job 2” in May 2017

There’s more nuttiness in store for Gabriel Iglesias next summer…

Open Road Films has set a May 19, 2017 U.S. release date for The Nut Job 2, featuring the 39-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor as part of the voice cast.

Gabriel Iglesias

It’s a sequel to the 2014 sneaky animated hit that grossed $120.9M worldwide, which had the biggest box office opening ever for an independent animated film.

Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl, Maya Rudolph, Iglesias as the voice of Jimmy, and Jeff Dunham are reprising their voice roles for the follow-up, with more cast coming soon. The family film was originally eyed as a January 15, 2016 title.

Gabriel Iglesias in The Nut Job

The sequel returns to Oakton, where the evil mayor decides to bulldoze Liberty Park and build a dangerous amusement park in its place. Surly Squirrel (Arnett) and his ragtag group of animal friends band together to save their home, defeat the mayor, and take back the park.

Cal Brunker is directing a script he co-wrote with Scott Bindley and Bob Barlen.

Garayua to Star Opposite Gabriel Iglesias in ABC’s Comedy Pilot “The Fluffy Shop”

Gloria Garayua is fluffing up her resume…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star opposite Gabriel Iglesias in the ABC comedy pilot The Fluffy Shop, co-written by and starring Iglesias.

Gloria Garayua

The comedian plays a stepfather and boss to his family and friends, while he navigates his home life during the few days he spends off the road each week.

Garayua will play Carmen, Gabe’s girlfriend, the strict mother of 13-year-old Frankie.

Garayua’s recent credits include guest appearances on Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Anger Management and a recurring on Grey’s Anatomy.

Iglesias Joins the Voice Cast of the Animated Family Comedy “Blazing Samurai”

Gabriel Iglesias’ career is blazing forward…

The 39-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor has joined the impressive voice cast of the animated family comedy Blazing Samurai.

Gabriel Iglesias

Samuel L. Jackson leads the way for the film that will be directed by Chris Bailey and Mark Koetsier.

The film centers on a scrappy dreamer of a dog named Hank (voiced by Michael Cera) who longs to become a great warrior and fights to save the town of Kakamucho from becoming the litter box of a nefarious feline warlord, transforming society and himself on his quest to become a true samurai.

The project is equally inspired by and an homage to Mel Brooks’ classic comedy Blazing Saddles. In fact, Brooks is one of those in the voice cast (he’ll play the misguided but benevolent leader, Shogun).

Along with Iglesias, Cera and Brooks, the voice cast includes George Takei, Aasif Mandvi, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Mel B., and “Heavenly” Joy Jerkins.

The project was written by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper.

Blazing Samurai will be released by Open Road Films in the United States on August 4, 2017. Sony Pictures International Releasing has already picked up several major territories worldwide, and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation is distributing the film in Greater China.

Iglesias will star as Ichiro and Chuck, Kakamucho’s Laurel and Hardy towncats.

Iglesias Lands Comedy Series Pilot Deal at ABC

Gabriel Iglesias may be returning to ABC

The 39-year-old Mexican American stand-up comedian/actor, who had a recurring role on the network’s short-lived series Cristela, has reached a put pilot deal to write and star in a multi-camera comedy series at ABC. ABC Studios will produce.

Gabriel Iglesias

The Fluffy Shop (working title) is inspired by the Iglesias’ life experiences, including the challenges of managing a home life during the few days he spends off the road each week.

This is Iglesias’ first network pilot.

Iglesias will co-write the pilot with Jay Lavender and Tim Doyle who will also serve as the show runner.

Iglesias is the creator and producer of Fuse TV’s non-scripted comedy docuseries Fluffy Breaks Even. The comedian also has starred in several stand-up comedy specials for Comedy Central as well as produced and hosted the hit series Stand-up Revolution for the cable network.

On the feature side, Iglesias starred in the stand-up concert comedy film The Fluffy Movie and co-starred in Warner Bros. Magic Mike and most recently Magic Mike XXL.

Iglesias’ Film & Television Projects Headed to Fuse This Fall

Gabriel Iglesias is blowing a Fuse… and blowing up the cable channel’s lineup.

Fuse is relaunching on September 30 with an expanded partnership with the 39-year-old Mexican American comedian, actor, writer and producer.

Gabriel Iglesias

Additionally, Fuse will introduce a new logo and brand with the network’s identity described as a “line-up of sexy, edgy, and relevant original music, comedy, culture and lifestyle programming, featuring a lot of Iglesias.

Iglesias’ projects with Fuse include the world television premiere of Iglesias’ The Fluffy Movie. The film captures the worldwide comic phenomenon in never-before-seen footage from his sold-out “Unity Through Laughter” tour that spanned over 20 countries and more than 400 cities. It will premieres on Wednesday, September 30 at 8:30 pm ET/PT.

Meanwhile, the first original show developed as part of a multi-year partnership with Iglesias, Fluffy Breaks Even, makes its debut on October 1 at 10:00 pm. The unscripted series will feature Iglesias along with his eccentric tour mates and fellow comedians Martin Moreno and Rick Gutierrez as they travel to new cities, meet fans and attempt the impossible – balancing big meals with big workouts!

The series explores the comedy of consequences in each city on the world comedy tour when members of Fluffy’s crew want to eat a high calorie meal, they’re going to have to work to “break even” the next day by burning those calories learning that fun comes with a price … exercise.

Fuse’s lineup also includes the original special Gabriel Iglesias Presents: The Gentleman Jerry Rocha.

Being a gentleman has always come easy to Rocha, which of course depends on how you define the word “gentleman”. Iglesias once again presents one of the most exciting voices in stand-up today in The Gentleman Jerry Rocha. Rocha’s hilarious perspective on everything from dating younger women to watching older movies will have you laughing and nodding along in approval to this anything but gentle, don’t miss, comedy event. It premieres Saturday, October 17 at 10:00 pm. ET/PT.

The network also is presenting the comedian’s upcoming tour, Fuse TV Presents Gabriel Iglesias #FluffyBreaksEven, which kicks off September 24 in Loveland, CO.

Guerra Wins StandUp NBC and Earns NBCUniversal Talent Holding Deal

Nick Guerra’s star is rising in Hollywood…

The Latino stand-up comedian has been declared the winner of the 11th annual StandUp NBC comedy showcase.

Nick Guerra

Guerra’s victory comes with a one-year talent holding deal with NBCUniversal.

The showcase, held at the Hollywood Improv in Los Angeles, capped a talent search to find the funniest comics of diverse backgrounds in the country. Comedians were evaluated on the originality of their material, delivery, cast-worthiness and overall performance.

“There are two things every comedian needs for his career to stay alive – recognition of talent and car repair money,” said Guerra. “I’d like to thank NBC for continuing to show me support and for the new transmission.”

Guerra competed on the most recent season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He was a writer, actor and assistant director on the second season of mun2’s Pitbull’s La Esquina and also performed on Comedy Central’s Gabriel Iglesias Stand Up Revolution and Nuvo TV’s Stand Up & Deliver and the Stand Up & Deliver Cabo Relief Special.

Guerra will be joined by other 2014 finalists on the StandUp NBC College Tour, including Aisha Alfa, Darcy Michael, John Nguyen, Langston Kerman, Katrina Braxton, Lavar Walker and Ricarlo Flanagan.

Iglesias to Host “Funniest Commercials of the Year” Special on Spike

Gabriel Iglesias has landed the funniest gig…

The 38-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor is set to host Funniest Commercials of the Year.

Gabriel Iglesias

The annual show, now in its tenth year, will continue to focus on spotlighting the most laugh-inducing ads from the U.S. and around the world.

Iglesias, who currently stars on ABC‘s Cristela, is hosting the show for the first time.

“One of the big changes [for ads] is that now, with the Internet and all kinds of different platforms, commercials have gotten longer,” creator Robert Dalrymple told The Hollywood Reporter. “Companies make commercials just for the Internet now.”

However, Dalrymple, whose job it is to hunt down the most amusing spots, pointed out that the appeal of a memorable ad remains the same as always. “It still comes down to, commercials are great self-contained stories, like mini movies,” he said, explaining their enduring appeal.

Among the commercials that made the cut for this year’s top ten include Doritos‘ consumer-made “Time Machine” that aired during the Super Bowl, and an ad from State Farm‘s Hans and Franz campaign with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

This year is the first time that the special airs on Spike, and Dalrymple credits the network’s execs for suggesting Iglesias to front the show. “He personalizes everything,” Dalrymple said of Iglesias, pointing out that the comic is able to use his gift for voices to uniquely comment on the footage.

Funniest Commercials of the Year airs Thursday, Dec. 18, at 10:00 pm ET on Spike.