The 31-year-old half-Mexican Canadian actress has been cast in Like It Used to Be, joining previously announced fellow Latina stars Gina Rodriguez and Karla Souza.
Bernardo Cubria wrote the comedy, which centers on four female best friends. While on a final road trip to Mexico, one of them learns some life-changing news.
Toubia will play Sofia, a well-to-do Mexican woman with a hippie/designer fashion sense who joins the girls on the road trip.
Jolene Rodriguez of Broken English Productions is producing the film alongside Rodriguez, via her production company I Can & I Will, and Souza.
Toubia is best known for her role as Isabelle Lightwood on the Freeform series Shadowhunters.
Her other credits include the TV movie Love in the Sunand telenovela Voltea Pa’Que Te Enamores.
Focus Features‘ Sundance Film Festival acquisition of Annapurna/Plan B’s Kajillionaire, starring the 36-year-old Golden Globe-winning actress and formerJane the Virginstar, will now open in select theaters on September 25, a week later than originally anticipated.
The Miranda July directed film will hit PVOD around October 16. Despite that, the film’s marketing will be driven toward its theatrical release, and the movie will continue to be available to cinemas while it’s on PVOD.
Written and directed by July, Kajillionaire follows con artists Theresa and Robert, who spent 26 years training their only daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), to swindle, scam and steal at every opportunity. During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a kind stranger, Melanie (Rodriguez), into joining their next scheme, completely shaking up Old Dolio’s routine. Her unlikely connection with Melanie begins to challenge Old Dolio’s odd and stoic reality — and she finds herself suddenly caught between the only family she has ever known and the prospect of total freedom.
The film also stars two-time Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins and three-time nominee Debra Winger.
During the pandemic when the big circuits were closed, Focus Features played two titles on theatrical PVOD: Jon Stewart’s political comedy Irresistibleand the Nisha Ganatra directed music drama The High Note.
Focus Features has released the first trailer for Kajillionaire, Miranda July’s Sundance comedy about a family of grifters starring the 36-year-old Puerto Rican actress and former Jane the Virgin star.
“Most people wanna be kajillionaires,” Dad says in the clip. “That’s the dream. That’s how they get you hooked — hooked on sugar, hooked on caffeine. Ha, ha, ha, cry, cry, cry. Me? I prefer to just skim.” His daughter looks up and says, “So do I.”
Here is your logline: Con artists Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) have spent 26 years training their only daughter, Old Dollo (Evan Rachel Wood), to swindle, scam and steal at every opportunity.
“She learned to forge before she learned to write,” Pops boasts of Old Dollo. “Actually, that’s how she did learn to write.”
During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a stranger (Rodriguez) into joining their next scam, only to have their entire world turned upside down.
July wrote and directed Kajillionaire as her first feature since 2011’s The Future.
The trailer features “Mr. Lonely,” a song performed by Angel Olsen & Emile Mosseri, the latter being the film’s composer.
Produced by Plan B and Annapurna Pictures,Focus Features plans to release the film in theaters in September.
Gina Rodriguez’s latest project is headed to HBO Max…
Warner Bros. feature animated film Scoob!, featuring the 35-year-old Puerto Rican actress voicing the character of Velma, will stream on HBO Max on June 26.
Scoob!opted to have a PVOD and digital ownership release instead of a theater rollout due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown,
The film was first scheduled for theaters on May 15 before segueing for a 48-hour rental PVOD period price of U.S. $19.99, and EST price of $24.99.
“HBO Max is the perfect home for these ‘meddling kids’ and their dog,’” said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer, HBO Max, president TNT, TBS, and TruTV.
Scoob!tells the backstory of how these beloved friends met and formed Mystery Inc. It’s a perfect addition to our kids and family offering and will sit alongside beloved original Scooby-Doo episodes.”
Unlike Universal’s near $100M grossing (probably more now) domestic PVOD release of Trolls World Tour, no numbers were leaked out about how Scoob! did, it reportedly made about 35% to 40% less than Trolls World Tour.
In addition to Rodriguez, the film’s voice vast includes Zac Efron, Will Forte and Amanda Seyfried.
Disney+ has ordered a second season of Diary of a Future President, its teen drama starring the Latina actress.
The streaming service ordered another 10-part run of the series, which hails from executive producer Gina Rodriguez and creator Ilana Peña.
From CBS Television Studios and I Can and I Will Productions, the series follows the adventures of Elena Cañero-Reed (Romero) as she navigates the ups and downs of middle school on her journey to become the future president of the United States.
In addition to Romer, the series also stars Charlie Bushnell, Selenis Leyva and Michael Weaver.
Rodriguez, who’ll return as adult Elena, the future president of the United States, in a recurring guest starring role, executive produces with Peña, Keith Heisler and Molly Breeskin. Peña and Heisler are co-showrunners.
“Optimistic, heartfelt stories that inspire are fundamental to our content and creator Ilana Peña’s series delivers on these attributes in spades,” says Agnes Chu, senior vice president, Content, Disney+. “Families around the world have fallen in love with Elena and the Cañero-Reed family and we are thrilled to bring Elena’s often hilarious and always meaningful journey through adolescence back for another season. It has been wonderful to partner with the extraordinary Gina Rodriguez to champion specific, diverse points-of-view and we look forward to seeing even more of President Cañero-Reed in this next chapter.”“We’re thrilled to partner with Disney+ on a series that showcases strong women both in front of, and behind the camera. They’ve been incredible champions of the show from day one,” added David Stapf, president, CBS Television Studios. “Gina’s ability to shepherd projects with new and diverse voices, combined with Ilana’s effortless blend of comedy and drama with humor and sensitivity bring this wonderful coming-of-age story to life.”
HBO Max has announced that the 35-year-old Puerto Rican actress and former Jane the Virgin star and Golden Globe winner will star in the HBO Max feature film Bobbie Sue, which hailsfrom Donald De Line and Charles Stone III.
“Giving a project like Bobbie Sue the reach and accessibility that HBO Max provides is what every filmmaker is looking for right now,” said De Line. “Gina Rodriguez and Charles Stone III both have an incredible talent for bringing rich characters, timely stories and authentic worlds to life.”
The film will follow Bobbie Sue, who after being raised among four rowdy brothers in a blue-collar neighborhood, is a scrappy, headstrong young lawyer who lands a career-making case with an upper crust law firm, only to realize she’s been hired for optics and not her expertise. But after discovering her powerful client, a lifelong idol of hers, is trying to cover up exploiting workers within her company, Bobbie decides to take both her and the law firm on, caution and etiquette be damned.
Rodriguez wrapped Jane the Virgin back in July after five seasons and 100 episodes. She also stars in Warner Bros. upcoming feature Scoob as Velma Dinkley.
The 35-year-old Honduran American actress and former Ugly Betty star is among the A-list celebrities who’ve signed a letter to support the Latino community in light of recent deadly attacks and political targeting.
Ferrera is among 200 actors, musicians, artists, activists, and labor and civil rights leaders that have signed the letter, which has been published in newspapers including The New York Times, El Nuevo Herald, La Opinión and El Diario.
Other top names include Eva Longoria, Diane Guerrero, Alex Martinez Kondracke, Mónica Ramírez and Olga Segura, along with Jennifer Lopez, Gina Rodriguez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carmen Perez, Anthony D. Romero, Wilmer Valderrama, Zoe Saldana, Salma Hayek Pinault, Ricky Martin, Rosario Dawson, Diego Luna, Dolores Huertaand Sandra Cisneros.
This comes amid a raft of incidents including the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas that left 22 individuals dead and injured 24 others, the sweeping ICE raids that took 680 individuals into custody in Mississippi, the continued separation of families, and the inhumane living conditions of those detained.
Over 200 Latinx leaders have come together to send a message of love and solidarity to our community during these dark times and to call on all of us to speak out & fight for the humanity of all people. Read the letter, share the love and declare yourself an ally. #QueridaFamiliapic.twitter.com/w6cIDuD0BX
“As a Latina, my heart breaks with every attack on our dignity, humanity and lives. And as an American, I fear for the future of my country when our culture and policies lack a basic decency and respect for human life,” said Ferrera. “We all have a responsibility to show up in this moment and demand decency for one another and for our country.”
“We’re facing a moral crisis in our country, and we chose to use this moment to raise our voices, and speak up,” said Longoria. “Integrity starts with looking in the mirror and this letter calls on everyone, not just our community, to choose humanity and decency over hate and violence.”
“This piece is to remind us of our shared humanity,” added Orange Is The New Black star Guerrero.
“We don’t have to look far to see what family separation and hateful rhetoric is doing to the people in our country. If we do not act, we will be complicit in one of history’s greatest tragedies.”
The 34-year-old Puerto Rican actress and her Jane the Virgin cast mates have just filmed the final episode of the acclaimed CW series, which earned Rodriguez a Golden Globe.
The final day, according to the cast, was emotional, heartwarming and filled with tears.
The cast took to Instagram with stories and photos detailing their last days on set. Rodriguez posted a photo in her IGstories of a tearful embrace between her and showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman.
“This is my dream maker,” she wrote. “Her hair is pink and her brain is big and brilliant. Thank you for making me your Jane.”
She also posted a loving photo of her and Elias Janssen with the caption: “Jane and Mateo. My first on screen baby boy. Love you buddy. Por vida #lastDaysofJane”
The 71-year-old Puerto Rican actress and Jane the Virgin star has landed a series regular role in Jane the Novela, the CW’s Jane the Virgin spinoff pilot.
The project will be headlined by Jacqueline Grace Lopezand narrated and executive produced by Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez, with Coll providing a little continuity from the original series in front of the camera.
The telenovelaanthology offshoot will also star Remy Hii, Hunter Parrish,Benito Martinez and Holland Roden.
Written/executive-produced by Jane the Virgin writer Valentina Garza, directed/exec produced by Jane the Virgin EP Brad Silberling and executive-produced by Jane the Virgin creator/EP Jennie Snyder Urman, Jane the Novela is a soapy, telenovela-inspired anthology series in the tradition of Jane the Virgin, where each season is based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva and narrated by the author herself.
The first installment takes place at the intersection of Napa Valley wine country and the San Francisco art scene and pairs family secrets and sins of the past with twists, tropes and a bloody bottle of red. It centers on Estela (Lopez), an up-and-coming art curator who has spent years playing it safe and coloring within the lines. But a shocking secret changes everything and forces her to live a double life.
Being “in the tradition” of Jane the Virgin,Jane the Novela mirrors the setup of the original series. It too follows a driven, imaginative twentysomething Latina woman (Lopez) who is torn between her boyfriend, Luen (Hii), and Felix (Parrish), a handsome, rich guy. In this case, Luen is head of security while Felix is in the wine business vs. Jane Villanueva’s cop boyfriend Michael and love interest Rafael, a hotel heir.
Hii’s Luen is Estela’s sweet, dependable, long-term boyfriend. When the life he’s planned for himself and Estela is threatened by Felix, Luen will stop at nothing to win back the woman he loves.
Coll will play Camila, Estela’s adoptive mother. Camila would do anything to protect her daughter and the life they have built, even lie to her. On Jane the Virgin, Coll plays Jane’s grandmother and Xo’s mother Alba.
Martinez portrays Raul, the winery’s enigmatic riddler. Nobody knows Napa’s terrain like he does – he specializes in collecting dirt on everyone.
Coll’s other television credits include Switched at Birth, Teen Wolf, Glee, East Los High and Nip/Tuck.
Martinez is known for his portrayal of Los Angeles politician David Aceveda for seven seasons on FXpolice dramaThe Shield. He had a starring role in John Ridley’s anthology series American Crime Story alongsideFelicity Huffmanand Regina Kingand can next be seen in the upcoming seasons of 13 Reasons Why, The Blacklist, Jack Ryan, and the feature film Queen & Slim.
Jacqueline Grace Lopezis ready to bring on the melodrama…
The Latina actress and former East Los High star has landed the lead role in Jane the Novela, the CW‘sJane the Virgin spinoff pilot.
The telenovela anthology series project hails from Jane the Virgin creator/executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman, star Gina Rodriguez,exec producers Ben Silvermanand director Brad Silberling. as well as studio CBS Television Studios.
Written by Jane the Virgin scribe Valentina Garzaand directed by Silberling, Jane the Novela is envisioned as a soapy, telenovela-inspired anthology series in the tradition of Jane the Virgin, where each season is based on a different fictional novel “written by” Jane Villanueva and narrated by the author herself.
The first installment takes place at a Napa Valley Vineyard, where family secrets (and family members) don’t stay buried for long. It centers on Estela (Lopez), an up and coming art curator who has spent years playing it safe and coloring within the lines. But a shocking secret changes everything and forces her to live a double life.
Being “in the tradition of Jane the Virgin,” Jane the Novelamirrors the setup of the original series. It too follows a driven, imaginative twenty-something Latina woman (Lopez) who is torn between her boyfriend, Luen, and Felix, a handsome, rich guy. In this case, Luen is head of security while Felix co-owns a winery vs. Jane Villanueva’s (Rodriguez) cop boyfriend Michael and rich love interest Rafael, co-owner of the Marbella hotel.
Lopez has a handful of acting credits, most recently a guest spot on Hulu’s Light as a Feather. Her short film The Girl Without Cats, which she wrote and produced, made the festival circuit.
