Quibi to Stream All-Star Remake of “The Princess Bride” Featuring Jenna Ortega

It’s a royal moment for Jenna Ortega

Starting Monday, Quibi will stream an all-star remake of The Princess Bride filmed by actors at home while in quarantine, including the 17-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress.

Jenna Ortega

In addition to Ortega, the re-creation will feature an A-list cast that includes couples Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner,Common and Tiffany HaddishNeil Patrick Harris and David Burtka and Chris Pine and Annabelle Wallis, along with Hugh JackmanJennifer GarnerElijah Wood, Jon HammBeanie FeldsteinLucas HedgesJack BlackDavid OyelowoKeegan-Michael KeyPatton OswaltJosh GadAndy SerkisDiego LunaTaika Waititi and Zazie Beetz and more.

Directed by Jason Reitman, the project will see Common playing the heroic Westley (originated by Cary Elwes), Haddish as Princess Buttercup (first played by Robin Wright), and Jackman as the villainous Humperdinck, to name a few.

The Princess Bride’s director, Rob Reiner, will also appear in the remake, along with Fred Savage, who reprises his role as the grandson in the film.

Beginning June 29, Quibi will release chapters of the made-at-home movie daily for two weeks.

The remake also is aiding a good cause. As part of the project, Quibi has donated $1 million to chef José Andrés’ charity World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to those who have been most affected by the coronaviruspandemic.

The remake of The Princess Bridewas first reported by Vanity Fair.

George Lopez to Take Part in Comedy Fundraiser for Feeding America

George Lopez is helping to feed America

The 59-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will take part in the Byron Allen-driven comedy fundraiser for Feeding America.

George Lopez

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 10 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET, with NBCbroadcasting the show. 

In addition to Lopez, the program will include participation from Sebastian Maniscalco, JB SmooveJim GaffiganJudd Apatow, Jack BlackCedric the EntertainerWhitney CummingsJim GaffiganBrad GarrettWhoopi GoldbergKevin James, Sarah Silverman and Kenan Thompson.

Others taking part include Kevin HartChris RockAdam SandlerEddie MurphyBilly Crystal, Marlon WayansHowie MandelTiffany HaddishBrad GarrettTaraji P. HensonLouie AndersonMargaret Cho, Kenan ThompsonMarc MaronJon LovitzCaroline RheaByron AllenBilly Gardell, Tim MeadowsJamie KennedyBill Engvalland Sheryl Underwood.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group television production division Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die will be producing the live-streaming comedy event.

The fundraiser will support the hunger-relief organization Feeding America

Additionally, the event will livestream on the Allen Media Group TV networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel, as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now.

Pre-recorded comedy segments will be featured during the three-hour event. Committed to appearing are Hart, Sandler, Murphy, Rock, etc.

Allen, founder/chair/CEO of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group, said the benefit will help hungry people who are straining the resources of the nation’s food banks during the pandemic shutdown. 

“Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.

“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”

Rebecca Delgado to Launch “The Alarmist” Podcast on Earios

Rebecca Delgadois about to ring the Alarm(ist)…

The Puerto Rican actress/writer will be part of the inaugural slate for female-focused podcast network Earios.

Rebecca Delgado

Delgado’s podcast is entitled The Alarmist. The Good Placeactress sits down with a guest to analyze and scrutinize history’s greatest disasters, from the sinking of the Titanic to the break-up of The Beatles, to find out what went wrong and who is to blame. 

Delgado’s podcast joins a roster that includes projects by Love creator Lesley ArfinMargaret Choand Glow’sKimmy Gatewood 

Earios was set up by former UTAand WME comedy agent Priyanka Mattoo, who also ran Electric Dynamitewith Jack BlackMaria Blasucciand Amanda Lund.

Last year, the company successfully raised money through a Kickstartercampaign and secured enough to launch 12 shows this year. It has also partnered with podcast company Acastto launch the slate, which will launch three shows at the start of July and will run new shows every couple of weeks.

It’s designed to produce female-fronted podcasts after Lund and Blasucci, who previously hosted their own independent shows, failed to find podcast companies run by women even though over 30% of shows are hosted or co-hosted by women and women make up half of podcast listeners.

Dania Ramirez to Star in Sony’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” Sequel

Dania Ramirez is headed for the jungle…

The 39-year-old Dominican actress and former Devious Maidsstar has landed a role in Sony’s sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Junglewhich is being directed and co-written by Jake Kasdan.

Dania Ramirez

Ramirez joins a cast that includes members Dwayne JohnsonJack BlackKevin HartKaren Gillanand Nick Jonas, as well as new additions AwkwafinaDanny DeVitoand Danny Glover

Plot details are being kept under wraps. 

In addition to her lead role on Lifetime’sDevious Maids, Ramirez previously starred on television in ABC’s Once Upon a Timeand NBC’s Heroes.

Her film credits include X-Men: The Last Stand and Premium Rush.

Trejo to Participate in This Year’s Red Nose Day Special on NBC

It’s a Rudolph-like moment for Danny Trejo

The 72-year-old Mexican American actor, best known for portraying villains and anti-heroes, has signed on for NBC’s Red Nose Day Special.

Danny Trejo

The fundraiser, which aims to help lift kids out of poverty, will be broadcast live on May 26 from 9:00 – 11:oo pm ET on NBC.

The special, hosted by Craig Ferguson, features comedy, musical performances and short films that shed light on children in need here at home and around the world.

Also scheduled to make an appearance on the special are Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tony Hale, Iwan Rheon, Sterling K. Brown, Yvette Nicole Brown, Margot Robbie, Jane Lynch, Connie Britton, Jay Pharaoh, Mayim BialikEllen DeGeneres, Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Key & Peele, Anna Kendrick, Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Ellie Kemper, along with Kristen Bell, Emma Watson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Rose Byrne, Blake Griffin, Emma Thompson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Steve Buscemi, Adam Devine and Ron Funches. Additional talent will be announced at a later date.

Created by Oscar nominee and Emmy-winning writer-director Richard Curtis, the idea of Red Nose Day was built upon the foundation that mass media and celebrities can help raise money and awareness of poverty to save and change millions of lives.

Red Nose Day has raised more than $1 billion globally in the last 25 years, and in the UK has become a cultural phenomenon where people across the country come together to have fun, raise money and change lives.

Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015, and raised more than $23 million, with the money now at work in all 50 states and 15 countries internationally through programs to keep children and young people safe, healthy and educated.

Nickelodeon Renews Hurtado’s “School of Rock” for a Second Season

Ricardo Hurtado has another year of school left…

Four episodes into School of Rock‘s freshman run, the musical comedy series starring the 16-year-old Latino actor, has been renewed for a 13-episode second season by Nickelodeon.

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The show, based on the 2003 Paramount Pictures film starring Jack Black, hails from Paramount Television. It marked the first series order for the then-newly launched TV division of Paramount Pictures, and a corporate synergy play between the Viacom companies.

School of Rock, which airs Saturdays, averages almost 2 million viewers a week. The second season, which starts production this month, will continue to mix comedy with cast performances of popular and original songs.

Screen Shot 2016-04-06 at 10.46.11 AM

School of Rock follows a group of rule-abiding students — Zack (Lance Lim), Lawrence (Aidan Miner), Freddy (Hurtado), Summer (Jade Pettyjohn) and Tomika (Breanna Yde) — who learn to take risks and reach new heights thanks to substitute teacher Dewey Finn (Tony Cavalero), a down-on-his-luck musician who uses the language of rock ‘n’ roll to inspire his class to form a secret band. Throughout the school year, the middle-school classmates navigate relationships, discover their unknown talents and learn lessons on loyalty and friendships.

Season 1 featured guest appearances from musical artists like Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) and the cast covering hits such as “Heart Attack” (Demi Lovato) and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Twisted Sister).

School of Rock is developed by Jim and Steve Armogida, who serve as executive producers with Jay Kogen (The Simpsons). The original movie’s director Richard Linklater and producer Scott Rudin serve as executive producers, along with Eli Bush.

Beatriz to Perform at Young Storytellers Foundation Fundraiser

Stephanie Beatriz is ready for something big…

The 34-year-old half-Colombia/half-Bolivian actress is among the thespians who’ve signed up to perform at the Young Storytellers Foundation’s 12th annual The Biggest Show fundraiser.

Stephanie Beatriz

Taking place on October 24 at New Roads School in Santa Monica, California, The Biggest Show event takes selected screenplays from throughout the previous school year for a staging that also serves as the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser.

The non-profit Young Storytellers group sends volunteers into dozens of Los Angeles-area public elementary schools to work with fifth grade students on developing short screenplays.

Over the course of eight weeks, the students learn the basics of crafting a dramatic narrative by working one on one with mentors, many of them industry writers. At the end of the program, each student’s screenplay is brought to life at an evening event for family and friends with a group of volunteer actors.

In addition to Beatriz, one of the stars of Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the cast for this year’s The Biggest Show will also feature Keegan-Michael Key, Max Greenfield, Jack Black, Judy Greer, Tom Lennon and Jason Mantzoukas.

Brothers Randy and Jason Sklar will serve as hosts.

Young Storytellers Foundation was formed in 1997 by a group of film students that included future Glee and American Horror Story co-creator Brad Falchuk.

Beatriz’s credits include television appearances on The Closer, Modern Family, Southland, Jessie and Hello Ladies.

Armisen Starring in MOCAtv’s Web Series “Ambiance Man”

Fred Armisen has landed a super(hero) web project…

The 45-year-old half-Venezuelan actor and former Saturday Night Live cast member is starring in Ambiance Man, a web series that also stars Jack Black and Jibz Cameron.

Fred Armisen as Ambiance Man

Debuting on December 20 on MOCAtv, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s YouTube platform, the series was created by artist Alix Lambert, who had an idea for a superhero named Ambiance Man.

He doesn’t save the world or even rescue a cat trapped in a tree — he just fixes bad ambiance.

“Like bad lighting, an ant infestation — anything that could ruin your day-to-day,” Lambert tells The Hollywood Reporter. “He’s a Pre-Raphaelite superhero.”

The series follows the well-mannered hero, played by Armisen, on his quest for good vibes against the supervillain team of Buzzkill (Cameron) and Unidentifiable Odor (Black).

“It’s so silly,” Lambert says, barely containing her laughter as she explains the show’s content.

It’s a goofy concept, no doubt, but Armisen, Black, and Cameron (who creates outrageously comedic performance art under the name Dynasty Handbag) are the masters of the art of goofiness.

Ambiance Man kicks off MOCAtv’s Art + Comedy season, which will feature programming from Alex Bag, David Robbins and Martin Kersels, among other artists.

The idea was born years ago during an evening of drinks at her friend’s house.

“Her roommate kept passing through the room we were in,” Lambert recalls. “Every time he would come through, he would do something like light a candle or open a window. We were just like, ‘It’s Ambiance Man.’ I told that story for years, and liked this idea of a superhero who [comes to the rescue] if you’re on an awkward date, or if you’re sweating too much — more day-to-day stuff. I’m all for Batman stopping the end of the world, but I need today fixed.”

After a chance meeting with MOCAtv’s director, Emma Reeves, that turned into a greenlight, Lambert called on her longtime friend Armisen, whom she says she’s known for dozens of years, and her neighbor Cameron. Cameron brought her friend Black aboard, and the series suddenly had legs. “Fred is super talented, and I just thought of funny things that I wanted him to do, and I let him run with that. And he has his sidekick Feng Shui [played by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka]. She also fixes things, but she’s interested in order.”

Ambiance Man, which was filmed at YouTube Space L.A., will debut with a private screening at MOCA in downtown Los Angeles on December 19, which will be accompanied by a live element involving Armisen and Cameron.

Lambert hopes that the series will find an audience and go on beyond the four episodes she’s already made for MOCAtv. “The idea is that it will continue,” she says. “We’re talking to various people that we could partner with for that. We haven’t made anything concrete, so I don’t want to jinx it.”

Morales Lands Presidential Role on HBO’s Pilot “The Brink”

Esai Morales’ next project will have him on the brink of political greatness…

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actor has landed a co-starring a role in the HBO pilot The Brink.

Esai Morales

Directed by Jay Roach from a script by Roberto Benabib and Kim Benabib, The Brink is an epic dark comedy focusing on a geopolitical crisis and its effect on three disparate and desperate men: U.S. Secretary of State Walter Hollander (Tim Robbins); Alex Coppins (Jack Black), a lowly Foreign Service officer; and Zeke Callahan (Pablo Schreiber), an ace Navy fighter pilot.

Morales will portray Julian Navarro, the President of the United States.

While the U.S. is yet to elect a Hispanic president, that has been a popular trend on television that has included Jimmy Smits’ Matt Santos on The West Wing and Blair Underwood’s Elias Martinez on The Event.

Morales, who most recently co-starred on the second season of Starz’s Magic City, recently wrapped a supporting role in George Lopez’s feature La Vida Robot and has a recurring role on CBSCriminal Minds.

The Release of Diaz’s “Sex Tape” Delayed Two Weeks…

It looks like you’ll have to wait a bit longer to see Cameron Diaz’s steamy sex tape

No, no. Not THAT kind of sex tape…

Cameron Diaz

Sony Pictures is pushing back the release of the 41-year-old half-Cuban American actress’ latest comedy Sex Tape.

Instead of coming out during the Fourth of July 2014 weekend, the Jake Kasdan-directed film will be released on July 18.

Sex Tape, which also stars Jason Segel and Jack Black, centers on a couple whose raunchy home video goes missing.