Fede Alvarez to Direct Hulu’s Original “Alien” Film

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Fede Alvarez has landed an out of this world project…

The 44-year-old Uruguayan filmmaker will write and direct an original Alien film for 20th Century Studios.

The Don’t Breathe filmmaker will direct the film for Hulu as part of studios deal to provide 10 films a year to the Disney-owned OTT service.

Alvarez’s pitch is reportedly completely separate from the previous films, according to Deadline.

Ridley Scott, who directed the 1979 original and two millennial editions, will produce through his Scott Free banner.

The new Alien film also will be distinct from Noah Hawley’s FX TV series, which network boss John Landgraf has said won’t feature Sigourney Weaver’s alien hunter Ripley.

“Alien takes place before Ripley. It’s the first story that takes place in the Alien franchise on Earth,” said Landgraf about the series. “So, it takes place on our planet. Right near the end of this century we’re in — so 70-odd years from now.”

Despite five scripts already being in for Alien, and Fargo only one, Hawley will shoot the latter series first as it needs to go into production this winter given its Midwest setting.

FX Renews MJ Rodriguez’s Drama Series “Pose” for Second Season

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

MJ Rodriguez will still continue to strike a pose…

Days before the penultimate episode of Pose is set to air on FX, the network has renewed the Ryan Murphy-produced series, starring the 27-year-old Latina actress and singer, for a second season.

“Ryan Murphy has once again revolutionized television with Pose, an incredibly engaging story of creativity, courage, compassion, love and family at a pivotal time in our culture,” says FX CEO John Landgraf of the June 3-debuting show about the NYC trans community in the ’80s.

In 2017, Rodriguez was cast in the leading role of Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on Pose following a six month casting search. The show made history for casting five leading transgender actresses in regular roles, the largest cast of series regular transgender actors in a scripted series as of 2018.

Rodriguez’s Blanca is a young woman who forms her own “house”—the House of Evangelista—after receiving a positive diagnosis for HIV, and becomes a surrogate mother to several abandoned queer youth of color. Described as a breakout, starring role, her performance has been praised by critics.

The series also stars Domique Jackson, Angelica Ross, Billy Porter, Evan Peters, Indya Moore and Angel Bismark Curiel.

Now heading to Netflix in a $300 million deal announced in February, Murphy himself has called Pose “the highlight of my career.”

“As television critics have universally acknowledged, there is simply nothing like Pose on TV, so effortlessly excelling on every creative level and earning a place in television history for its infectiously inclusive spirit,” the FX boss added. “We are honored to partner with our producers Ryan, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals, Nina Jacobson,Brad Simpson, Steven Canals, Alexis MartinWoodall and Sherry Marsh, and the incredible cast and crew to continue this groundbreaking journey that is Pose.”

Pose‘s second set of moves, so to speak, will hit the small screen in 2019, according to FX.

Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions produce the first eight-episode season and will be back for Season 2.

Gomez Co-Stars in “Vamps Boom” Music Video to Promote Season 3 of “The Strain”

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel Gomez is vamping it up to promote The Strain…

The 30-year-old Colombian actor, who stars as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde on the FX series, has penned a song to promote Season 3.

The network has just released the music video for the song, entitled “Vamps Boom,” which was co-written by Gomez’s co-star Kevin Durand, with David Bradley’s rap written by executive producer Regina Corrado, a two-time WGA Award nominee.

“Vamps Rule” is billed by the cable net as “summer’s most infectious new beat”

The music video opens with executive producer Carlton Cuse and EP/helmer J. Miles Dale — who also directed the video — stretching their acting legs. It’s a behind-the-scenes discussion about how The Strain needs to separate itself from the small-screen pack, with a sneaky reference to the “too much TV” debate launched by FX Networks boss John Landgraf last summer. But how to be “distinctive”? The answer presents itself: “Take it to these mothersuckers!” There are writhing dancers, some bling, a call-and-response chorus and, of course, some interspersed clips from the horror series including a few neat bad-guy beheadings.

Season 3 of The Strain premieres on August 28 on FX.

Louis C.K.’s “Louie” Returning to FX in April for Season 5

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Louis C.K. is heading back to FX this spring.

The 47-year-old Mexican American actor/stand up comedian’s FX comedy series Louie will return to the small screen on Thursday, April 9 at 10:30 pm ET.

John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks, also confirms that the critically acclaimed show’s Season 5 will only span eight episodes, instead of the 13 and 14 of past seasons.

During the show’s run, Louis C.K. has won two Emmys for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for penning the show.

Additionally, FX has ordered Better Things, a comedy pilot created by Pamela Adlon (Louie) and directed by Louis C.K.

Adlon will star as Sam, a single mom who is trying to raise three girls while pursuing an acting career.

FX Renews Guillermo del Toro’s Vampire Drama “The Strain,” Starring Maestro, for a Second Season

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Mia Maestro is ready to strain herself for another season…

FX has given its new vampire drama The Strain, starring the 36-year-old Argentine actress and singer-songwriter, a long-expected 13-episode order for a second season to air in 2015.

The announcement comes only six weeks into The Strain’s 13-episode freshman run.

Maestro portrays Dr. Nora Martinez on the series from Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Carlton Cuse.

The Strain, the first FX original series to air on Sunday night, tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

The series’ premiere drew 4.73 million total viewers and 2.43 million adults 18-49 in Live+Same Day. With Live+7 data, VOD, digital and electronic purchases, that number tripled to 12.7 million viewers to become the network’s highest-rated series premiere ever. The horror drama also ranks as the No. 1 new series on cable (broadcast or premium) in 2014 in delivery of adults 18-49.

“We’ve never had any doubts about The Strain,” said FX CEO John Landgraf. “Working with Guillermo del Toro, Carlton Cuse, and the brilliant cast led by Corey Stoll has been everything we had hoped it would be and more.”

On a weekly basis, The Strain, from FX Productions, is averaging 11 million total viewers and 5.2 million adults 18-49 inclusive of VOD and online viewing (most current).

On a first-run-only Live+7 basis, the series is averaging 4.5 million total viewers and 2.6 million adults 18-49. The Strain’s 1.2 million adults 18-34 (first-run L+7) places it in a tie for the top spot in that demo among all new cable series to launch in 2014.

FX Renews Louis C.K.’s “Louie” for a Fifth Season

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Louis C.K. is still an FX man…

FX has been picked up the 46-year-old Mexican American actor/comedian’s critically acclaimed comedy series Louie for another season.

FX Networks and FX Productions CEO John Landgraf announced a seven-episode fifth season of Louie Monday, noting that the run is slated for spring 2015.

“Louie’s fourth season was once again groundbreaking,” said Landgraf. “Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking – always thought-provoking. The show went to narrative and cinematic places no comedy has gone before, and we look forward to seeing what Louis comes up with next.”

The latest round of Louie episodes earned five Emmy nominations — including outstanding comedy series, lead actor, writing, directing and casting. In 2012, it was the first basic cable series in history to score a best comedy nom.

After a two-year lapse between seasons three and four, one C.K. took because he said he wanted the show to feel new again, Louie most recently aired 14 new episodes. Those aired mostly back-to-back on the FX parent network even though many comedy offerings from the cable network are now shifting to spinoff FXX.

Louis C.K., Blair Breard and Dave Becky serve as executive producers on Louie.

Louis C.K.’s “Louie” Returning with Back-to-Back Episodes on May 5

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Louis C.K.’s critically acclaimed series is returning to television in May.

Following its one-year hiatus, FX has announced that the 46-year-old Mexican American actor/comedian’s comedy series Louie will premiere on May 5 with back-to-back new episodes.

In announcing the hiatus in 2012, Louis C.K. and FX president John Landgraf referred to the first three seasons of Louie as the first act of a trilogy, with the comedian noting he hoped the show could go to nine seasons.

FX had ordered a 13-episode season of the single-camera show, but series creator-director-writer-star Louis C.K. delivered a 14th episode.

The offbeat comedy earned Louis C.K., the show’s creator, an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2012.

Louie also earned the first-ever Outstanding Comedy Series nomination for a basic cable show in 2013.

Louis C.K. has kept busy during the series’ hiatus, inking an overall deal with FX Productions in December, co-writing a comedy series with Zach Galifianakis that FX ordered to pilot in January; touring with his stand-up acts and offering $5 downloads his 1998 feature film directorial debut.

He also has been tapped for a voice role in Illumination Entertainment’s untitled animated Pets film and is set to host Saturday Night Live for a second time on March 29.

Louis CK Inks Development Deal with FX Networks

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Louis CK may not be leaving FX anytime soon…

FX Networks has inked an overall deal with the 46-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor and his company Pig Newton to create and produce new programming.

Louis CK’s agreement is separate from the one the has with the network to produce his critically acclaimed comedy series Louie, which earned the network its first Primetime Emmy Awards nod for Outstanding Comedy Series.

The comedy series, which Louis CK created, returns for Season 4 in May 2014.

Under the new pact, Louis CK’s first, the future series will be created or supervised by the comedian, who would have the option to write or direct any of them and will executive produce.

“Working with Louis CK has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of my career,” said John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions. “So many incredibly talented artists want to work with Louis and follow down the independent and idiosyncratic creative trail he has blazed. I can’t wait to see who he brings through our door, not to mention any new projects that he wants to create for us.”

FX Orders 13-Episodes of “The Bridge,” Starring Demián Bichir

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Following his impressive recurring roles on Showtime’s Weeds, Demián Bichir will headline his American television series.

FX has put in a 13-episode order for The Bridge, the drama pilot starring the 49-year-old Mexican actor and Academy Award nominee and Diane Kruger.

Based on the Scandinavian series Bron, which was set on the border of Denmark and Sweden, The Bridge takes place on the border between El Paso and Juarez. It centers on two detectives — one from the United States, Detective Sonya Cross (Kruger), and one from Mexico, Marco Ruiz (Bichir) — who have to work together to hunt down a serial killer operating on both sides of the frontera.

“For years networks having been trying develop a drama series set on the U.S.-Mexican border without any success,” said FX president John Landgraf. ”I’m thrilled to say that Meredith Stiehm and Elwood Reid have become the first to crack that creative code and they have done so magnificently. There have been great films set in that world — No Country for Old Men and Lone Star come to mind — but never a great TV series. This one is special. The setting, the writing, the direction, and the way it is brought to life by Demián Bichir, Diane Kruger and the rest of the cast makes for truly riveting drama.”

The Bridge co-stars Ted Levine, Annabeth Gish and Thomas M. Wright; with Matthew Lillard guest-starred in the Gerardo Naranjo-directed pilot.

Filming on the series will begin in April for a July 2013 premiere.

Bichir’s Border Drama “The Bridge” May Be Added to FX’s 2013 Lineup

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Demián Bichir could be crossing the bridge into the world of primetime television…

Last October, the 49-year-old Mexican actor signed on to star in FX’s U.S./Mexico borderdrama pilot The Bridge, helmed by noted Mexican director Gerardo Naranjo.

FX plans to add a new drama series later this year; and the network’s president John Landgraf hopes The Bridge will be that show after seeing encouraging early footage from the pilot, which was just shot.

The project, an adaptation of the Scandinavian series Bron, centers on two detectives from the United States and Mexico – El Paso Police Homicide Detective Sonya North (Diane Kruger) and Marco Ruiz (Bichir) — who must work together to hunt down a serial killer operating on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bichir’s character is described as a family man and one of the last good men in a corrupt and apathetic police force that is outgunned by the powerful drug cartels.

Meanwhile, Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s vampire drama The Strain could potential air in 2014, according to Landgraf. In anticipation of potential series orders, the network has ordered backup scripts from the project, including putting a small writing staff together.

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