First Trailer Released for Robin de Jesus’ Limited Series “Welcome to Chippendales”

Posted on September 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Robin de Jesus is chipp-ing in…

A first look trailer at Hulu’s Welcome to Chippendales, a limited series starring the Puerto Rican actor and Kumail Nanjiani, has been released.

The 45-second teaser features a tricked-up version of Journey’s “Any Way You Want It.”

The sprawling true-crime saga follows Somen “Steve” Banerjee (Nanjiani), a socially awkward Indian immigrant who became the unlikely founder of the world’s greatest male-stripping empire — and let nothing stand in his way in the process.

“A world of luxury — right at your fingertips,” Banerjee says. But plenty of others want their piece of the action, including Nick De Noia (newly minted Emmy winner Murray Bartlett). His involvement ultimately doesn’t go over all that well.

Annaleigh Ashford, Juliette Lewis, Quentin Plair, Andrew Rannells, Dan Stevens and Nicola Peltz as the doomed Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten. Philip Shahbaz plays Peter Bogdanovich.

Robert Siegel and Nanjiani executive produce alongside Dylan Sellers, Jenni Konner, Matt Shakman, Emily V. Gordon, Nora Silver and Rajiv Joseph, who wrote the series along with Mehar Sethi.

Shakman directs.

Welcome to Chippendales starts streaming November 22 on Hulu.

Robin de Jesús to Appear in Hulu’s Chippendales History-Themed Series “Immigrant”

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Robin de Jesús is cashing in his chip(pendales)…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican three-time Tony Award-nominated actor has joined the cast of Hulu’s Immigrant in a recurring role.

de Jesús will portray Ray Colon, a proud Nuyorican from the Bronx who comes on the Chippendales scene as the resident handyman and self-proclaimed jack of all trades. Affable and eager-to-please, Ray reveres founder Somen “Steve” Banerjee (Kumail Nanjiani) and their growing friendship finds Ray in more than one compromising situation as the season progresses.

Immigrant tells the true story of Banerjee, the Indian-American entrepreneur who started Chippendales. The series will detail the insane, darkly comedic, crime-ridden story behind the unique male revue that became a cultural phenomenon.

The cast includes Dan Stevens, Murray Bartlett, Annaleigh Ashford, Quentin Plair, Andrew Rannells and Nicola Peltz.

Nanjiani will also executive produce alongside series creator Robert Siegel, Dylan Sellers, Jenni Konner, Matt Shakman, Emily V. Gordon, Nora Silver, and Rajiv Joseph, who will write on the series along with Mehar Sethi.

Siegel and Konner serve as co-showrunners and Shakman will direct. Jacqui Rivera is co-executive producer and Annie Wyman is co-producer. 20th Television serves as the studio on the series.

de Jesús most recently starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tick, Tick, Boom!, based on the stage musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson, for Netflix.

He previously appeared in the Ryan Murphy-produced Netflix film, The Boys in the Band, reprising his Tony award-nominated role.

Disney/Marvel Releases New Trailer for Salma Hayek’s “Eternals”

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek is eternally yours…

Disney/Marvel has released a new trailer that teaches non-fanboys who the Eternals, gods who lived among humans on Earth for the last 7K years, really are, including the 54-year-old Mexican actress.

What were they doing here? And why did they stand on the sidelines while Thanos was snappin’ people away? The new Marvel film takes place five years after the bad guy’s big snap.

As Gemma Chan’s Eternal Sersi explains, “We were instructed not to interfere in any human conflicts unless Deviants were involved.”

Deviants are monstrous creatures who’ve returned to Earth, long thought to be gone.

When they mysteriously come back, it’s time for this godly gang to get back together again to protect the humans they love, including Ajak (Hayek), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Dane Whitman (Kit Harrington), Kingo ( Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Gilgamesh (Don Lee), Thena (Angelina Jolie), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Phastos (played by Brian Tyree Henry), and Druig (Barry Keoghan).

“We have loved these people since the day we arrived,” says Thena about humanity, “When you love something, you protect it.”

The film, directed by Nomadland Oscar winner Chloe Zhao, is still on track to open November 5, exclusively in theaters.

Marvel Studios Releases Trailer for Salma Hayek’s Superhero Film “Eternals”

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek’s burning an Eternals flame…

Marvel Studios has released the first trailer for Eternals, the epic superhero film starring the 54-year-old Mexican actress.

Hailing from Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao and based on the comics of the same name, the film follows a diverse group of heroes – technically aliens from an immortal race who have secretly lived on earth for thousands of years – who team up to protect humanity from a new threat.

In addition to Hayek, the film also stars Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Kit Harington and Angelina Jolie.

The film is one of the first in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is set after an unexpected tragedy following the events of Avengers: Endgame.

Stick around until the post-title of the trailer for a jokey tease about what we can expect from a post-Avengers world.

Disney has the film slated for release on November 5.

Natalie Morales to Make Solo Feature Directorial Debut with “Plan B”

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Morales is heading behind the camera…

The 35-year-old Cuban American actress, who most recently starred in the second season of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series Dead to Me, will make her solo feature directorial debut with Plan B, a Counterbalance Entertainment and American High comedy that’s set up at Hulu.

Set to begin production next month in Syracuse, NY, the film follows a straight-laced high school student and her slacker best friend who, after a regrettable first sexual encounter, have 24 hours to hunt down a Plan B pill in America’s heartland.

Prathi Srinivasan and Joshua Levy penned the screenplay.

Morales has directed and starred in multiple episodes of HBO’s Room 104 from creators Jay and Mark Duplass. On the big screen, her recent credits include Fox’s Stuber with Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Warner Bros.’ forthcoming The Little Things drama with Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Rami Malek.

Morena Baccarin to Star in CBS All Access’ Second Season of “The Twilight Zone”

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarinis in the Zone…

The 40-year-old Brazilian actress has been cast in CBS All Access’ anthology series The Twilight Zone’s second season.

Baccarin joins a cast that includes Billy Porter, Jenna Elfman, Gillian Jacobsand Chris Meloni.

Style blogger Tavi Gevinson also appears with Colman Domingo, Ethan Embry, Tony Hale, Abbie Hern, Sophia Macy, Joel McHale, Jimmi Simpson and Daniel Sunjata.

Separately, Jordan Peele, who executive produces and narrates the show, will write an episode for the second season.

The Get Out writer and director will write the episode Downtime, which features Baccarin, Domingo and Hale.

The CBS All Access series is a modern reimagining of Rod Serling’s original, which aired from 1959-64 on CBS. The first season featured actors including Ike Barinholtz, John Cho, Ginnifer Goodwin, Greg Kinnear, Kumail Nanjiani, Chris O’Dowd, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott and Alison Tolman.

The drama is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Kinberg’s Genre Films.

Natalie Morales to Star in Warner Bros. “The Little Things”

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Morales is celebrating the little things…

The 34-year-old Cuban American actress has joined the cast of Warner Bros.‘ The Little Things opposite Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Rami Malek.

The film follows Deke (Washington), a burned-out Kern County, CA. deputy sheriff who teams with Baxter (Malek), a crack LASD detective, to nab a serial killer. Deke’s nose for the “little things” proves eerily accurate, but his willingness to circumvent the rules embroils Baxter in a soul-shattering dilemma. Meanwhile, Deke must wrestle with a dark secret from his past. Jared Letois in talks to join in the role as the serial killer in the project from writer-director John Lee Hancock.

Morales will play a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department detective working for Baxter.

She most recently starred on NBC’s Abby’s sitcom. The Parks and Recreation alum also starred in Fox’s Stuber alongside Kumail Nanjiani. She also appeared in Fox Searchlight’s Golden Globe-nominated Battle of the Sexes opposite Emma Stoneand Steve Carell. Morales was a regular on Fox’s The Grinder. She also recently directed her second episode of Room 104 for HBO.

CBS All Access Orders Second Season of Zabryna Guevara’s “The Twilight Zone”

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Zabryna Guevara is still zoning out…

CBS All Access has ordered a second season The Twilight Zone, itsanthology series starring the 47-year-old Afro-Latina American actress.

The CBS All Access series is a modern reimagining of Rod Serling’s original, which aired from 1959-64 on CBS and became a worldwide phenomenon, using socially conscious storytelling to explore the human condition and culture of the times.

“Jordan Peele and Simon Kinberg’s reimagining of The Twilight Zone is off to an amazing start on CBS All Access, driving the most viewers on its premiere day for an original series to date,” said Julie McNamara, EVP Original Content at CBS All Access. “Jordan, Simon, the creative team and cast have done a phenomenal job translating the series’ legacy of socially conscious storytelling for modern-day audiences. They are master storytellers, and we look forward to bringing fans further into The Twilight Zone with a second season.”

CBS announced in 2017 that it would revive The Twilight Zone for streaming service CBS All Access with Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Simon Kinberg’s Genre Films.

The anthology series features Peele as host and narrator with cast members including Guevara, Ike Barinholtz, Zazie Beetz, John Cho, Lucinda Dryzek, Taissa Farmiga, James Frain, Betty Gabriel, Ginnifer Goodwin, Percy Hynes-White, Greg Kinnear, Luke Kirby, Sanaa Lathan, Kumail Nanjiani, Chris O’Dowd, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Rhea Seehorn, Alison Tolman,Jacob Tremblay, Jefferson White, Jonathan Whitesell, Jessica Williams, DeWanda Wise and Steven Yeun.

The first season of The Twilight Zone is airing on-demand at CBS All Access. The series’ first five episodes are available with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays.

The Twilight Zone is produced by CBS Television Studiosin association with Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Kinberg’s Genre Films. Peele and Kinberg serve as executive producers.

Guevara’s previous television credits include appearances in New Amsterdam, The Handmaid’s Tale, Gothamand Chicago Med.

Monica Ramirez to Speak at This Year’s Makers Conference

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Monica Ramirez is Maker-ing a difference…

The Latina activist will take part in this week’s Makers Conference, a three-day event that seeks to underscore the stories of trailblazing women.

Ramirez, the co-founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, will be one of the speakers at the conference, which looks to amplify the conversion around sexual harassment and push for change on issues such as equal pay and diversity in the workplace.

Ramirez, the daughter and granddaughter of migrant farmworkers hailing from a rural community in Ohio, has served farmworker, Latina and immigrant women as an attorney, organizer and advocate. She’s dedicated to ending violence against women, particularly farmworkers.

She’s also the founder of several major initiatives and projects, including Esperanza: The Immigrant Women’s Legal Initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Bandana Project and the Latina Impact Fund, and she’s a Board member for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and the Deputy Director for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

This year’s other speakers — chosen from the worlds of tech, entertainment, business and non-profits — include Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, Lena Waithe, Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani, Cleo Wade, Jessica Biel and Lena Dunham.

The 2018 Makers Conference will take place from February 5-8.

Peña Named to Voice Cast of Warner Bros.’ “The Lego Ninjago Movie”

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Michael Peña has bricked his next role…

The 40-year-old Mexican American actor has been added to the main voice cast of Warner Bros.’ The Lego Ninjago Movie.

Led by Jackie Chan, the all-star cast includes Peña, Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani and Zach Woods.

Based on the line of Lego construction sets, The Lego Ninjago Movie follows Lloyd, member of a group of young warriors and Lego master builders who, with their kung fu master Wu, must defend Ninjago City against the evil warlord Garmadon. Complicating matters is the fact that Garmadon happens to be Lloyd’s father. With mech fighting mech and father fighting son, the undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas will learn to check their egos and pull together to save the city.

Chan stars as Wu, Franco is playing Lloyd, and Theroux voices Garmadon. Rounding out the cast of characters are Munn as Lloyd’s mother, with Armisen, Jacobson, Nanjiani, Peña and Woods voicing the rest of Lloyd’s secret ninja team.

Set to hit theaters September 22, 2017, The Lego Ninjago Movie is directed by Charlie Bean in his feature debut.

Tom & Bill Wheeler are rewriting the script originally penned by Hilary Winston, Bob Logan and Paul Fisher from a story by Kevin Hageman, Dan Hageman and Winston, Logan and Fisher.

Warner Bros. will distribute worldwide.

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