Esai Morales in Negotiations to Star in the Action Thriller “Shadow”

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales could be preparing for a little shadow play soon…

The 60-year-old Puerto Rican actor is in talks to star in the action thriller Shadow, which XYZ Films has boarded.

XYZ acquired world sales — minus select territories — to the film, which is inspired by true events.

Colombian filmmaker Antonio Negret is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Daniel Negret.

The film will begin production in the fall in Colombia.

The plot follows a real-life Colombian police dog named Sombra, who, after piling up hundreds of arrests, became the cartel’s public number one enemy. As a result, a bounty is put on her head. After the cartel’s new leader sets a trap to abduct the dog, Sombra’s once reluctant handler must risk his life and career to save his partner.

The cast features Colombian actors Juan Pablo Raba and Natalia Reyes alongside Kate Del Castillo.

Previously sold territories include Latin America (CDC), Brazil (CDC), Mexico (CDC), Russia (Volga), Middle East (Selim), Korea (Noori), and Indonesia (PT Amero).

“After having spent a great deal of time in Colombia, I became incredibly passionate about and committed to telling important and inspiring stories from a regional perspective with local stars like Juan Pablo & Natalia,” said Sentient president Renee Tab. “I’m looking forward to once again teaming up with long-term collaborators Pierre Morel, and Antonio Negret (as well as his brother Daniel) to shape this true story into an action narrative inspired by a drug-sniffing German Shepherd named Sombra.”

Morales’ previous credits include La Bamba, American Family, Resurrection Boulevard, Ozark and Titans.

Negret is best known for his debut film Towards Darkness, starring America Ferrera, which premiered in competition at Tribeca. His follow-ups Seconds Apart, a supernatural horror/thriller, was released by Lionsgate, and thriller Transit starring Jim Caviezel, was released by Silver Pictures/Dark Castle.

Jaime Camil to Star on Season 3 of Apple’s “Acapulco”

Posted on April 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jaime Camil is resorting to new work…

The 49-year-old Mexican actor has joined the cast of Apple’s Acapulco for Season 3. Production on the 10-episode new season is currently underway.

Camil will guest star as Alejandro, the brother of one of the wealthiest men in Mexico and a new co-owner of Las Colinas who makes his co-owner Diane Davies’ (Jessica Collins) life miserable at the hotel.

From Lionsgate TV, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions and The Tannenbaum Company, in Season 3 of Acapulco, it’s time to reconcile past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. In the present story, older Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) finds himself returning to a Las Colinas he no longer recognizes. While in 1985, younger Maximo (Enrique Arrizon) continues his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships he’s worked so hard to build.

The cast also includes Fernando Carsa (as Memo), Damián Alcázar (Don Pablo), Camila Perez (Julia), Chord Overstreet (Chad), Vanessa Bauche (Nora), Regina Reynoso (Sara), Raphael Alejandro (Hugo), Jessica Collins (Diane), Rafael Cebrián (Hector), Carlos Corona (Esteban) and Regina Orozco (Lupe). Sam Laybourne serves as showrunner.

Acapulco is inspired by 3Pas Studios and Lionsgate/Pantelion Films’ box office hit How to Be A Latin Lover. Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman created the series.

Executive producers include Winsberg and director Jay Karas; Derbez and Ben Odell for 3Pas Studios; Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, as well as Jason Wang on behalf of The Tannenbaum Company. Sonia Almanza Gambaro co-executive produces for 3Pas Studios.

Seasons 1 and 2 of Acapulco are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

Camil is currently starring in Season 2 of Apple’s Schmigadoon! where he portrays Sergeant Rivera, Schmicago’s chief of police. He is most notably known in the U.S. for his series regular role as Rogelio de la Vega in the CW’s Jane the Virgin across all 5 seasons. He also starred in and executive produced the CBS comedy series, Broke. Most recently, he brought to life the legendary Vicente Fernandez in Netflix’s El Rey, Vicente Fernandez.

Before making a splash in the English-language market, Camil was already a bona fide star in his native Mexico and stateside for his work in Spanish-language projects both in TV and film. Hits include the telenovela La Fea Más Bella, Por Ella Soy Eva and Qué Pobres Tan Ricos, to name a few.

Camil currently has a first-look deal with VIS (a division of Paramount) to develop an array of TV and film projects for Paramount+.

Ana de Armas’ John Wick Spinoff “Ballerina” to Hit Theaters in June 2024

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ana de Armas will plié into theaters next summer…

Lionsgate’s John Wick spinoff The Ballerina, starring the 34–year-old Cuban and Spanish actress, will be hitting theaters on June 7, 2024.

The news comes in the wake of John Wick: Chapter 4 racking up a current gross of $250 million at the worldwide box office, taking the four-pic franchise to over $833M worldwide.

de Armas stars in The Ballerina as an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma with franchise dramatis personae Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane and the late Lance Reddick being back in addition to Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Norman Reedus.

Len Wiseman directs Ballerina off Shay Hatten’s script, with Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee and John Wick filmmaker Chad Stahelski producing.

The dilm is a Thunder Road Films / 87eleven production.

John Wick: Chapter 4 opened to a franchise high at the box office with $73.8M in the U.S. and Canada, and $138M worldwide.

Lionsgate Acquires Domestic Rights to Eiza Gonzalez’s World War II Film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eiza González is bringing the warfare to the United States…

Lionsgate has picked up the domestic distribution rights to Guy Ritchie’s World War II film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring the 33-year-old Mexican actress/singer.

In addition to Gonzalez, the film also stars Henry Cavill, Henry Golding, Alex Pettyfer and Cary Elwes, among others.

The studio is targeting a 2024 wide theatrical release.

Prime Video has secured most of the international rights for the film, distributing across Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, India and pan-Asian pay TV.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is billed as an “outrageous true story” about U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s and James Bond author Ian Fleming’s secret WWII combat organization.

As per a synopsis, “this clandestine squad’s unconventional and entirely ‘ungentlemanly’ fighting techniques against the Nazis significantly changed the course of the war and gave birth to the modern Black Ops unit.”

Principal photography begins on Monday in Turkey. Acknowledging the devastating earthquake that has ravaged parts of the country, Ritchie and the producers noted that the shoot will take place “several hundred miles from the epicenter” of the disaster.

“We do so with profound sympathy for everyone affected,” said Ritchie in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the members of our crew with family in the region. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the people of Turkey. We stand by them and are committed to supporting members of our production team and the wider community over the coming weeks and months.”

The film’s script is from Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, Arash Amel and Ritchie, and based on war correspondent and military historian Damien Lewis’ best-selling book of the same name. Tamasy and Johnson initiated the project and sold it as a pitch to Bruckheimer and Paramount in 2015.

Jerry Bruckheimer will produce alongside Chad Oman, Ritchie’s producing partner Ivan Atkinson, and John Friedberg for Black Bear International.

Apple TV+ Renews Enrique Arrizon’s “Acapulco” for Third Season

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Arrizon isn’t leaving Acapulco just yet…

Apple TV+ has renewed the bilingual comedy series Acapulco, starring the 29-year-old Mexican actor, for a 10-episode third season. Production is set to begin this spring.

In Season 3 of the series inspired by the 3Pas Studios and Pantelion Films’ feature How to Be A Latin Lover, it’s a time of reconciling past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. In the present story, older Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) finds himself returning to a Las Colinas he no longer recognizes. While in 1985, younger Maximo continues his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardizing all the relationships he’s worked so hard to build…

“We at 3Pas Studios are thankful to Apple TV+, the perfect home for Acapulco, along with our production partner Lionsgate, filmmakers, and cast and crew,” said star and executive producer Derbez. “We have always believed that the stories we tell about our communities and cultures can resonate with global audiences, so crank up the AC, it’s about to get a lot hotter at Las Colinas Resort.”

The upcoming third season will be showrun by Sam Laybourne. In addition to Derbe and Arrizon, the returning Acapulco ensemble cast includes Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Chord Overstreet, Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Carlos Corona and Regina Orozco.

Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

“We’ve seen an overwhelming response from audiences all over the world who have fallen in love with Acapulco,” said Morgan Wandell, head of international programming for Apple TV+. “Eugenio, Austin, Ben, Eric, Kim, and the talented cast and crew behind ‘Acapulco’ have created a feel-good show that has a lot of heart, emotion, and laughs, and we can’t wait to bring even more of that into season three.”

Acapulco is created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. Winsberg also serves as executive producer alongside Derbez, Ben Odell, and co-executive producer Sonia Almanza Gambaro for 3Pas Studios; director Jay Karas; Eric and Kim Tannenbaum along with Jason Wang for The Tannenbaum Company.

The project is produced for Apple by Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions, and The Tannenbaum Company.

Sky Developing Docuseries on Former Spanish King Juan Carlos I

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Former Spanish King Juan Carlos I’s life is being documented…

The rise and fall of the 85-year-old former Spanish king will be told in a Sky docuseries later this year.

He reigned as King of Spain from November 1975 until his abdication in June 2014.

The as-yet-untitled four-part docuseries will follow a man who was once a hero – celebrated around the world for reforming Spain in the post-Franco era – before allegations surrounding his financial arrangements led to his abdication in 2014.

Taking viewers from Madrid to London, Monaco, Geneva, Abu Dhabi and New York, the high-end docu-thriller deals with the allegations surrounding the former King in a struggle for money, sex and power.

It comes from Emmy nominee Christian Beetz, who created with Anne von Petersdorff, Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion’s Georg Tschurtschenthaler and author Pedro Barbadillo.

The documentary series will receive a teaser showcase at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival next month as part of the Berlinale Series Market session Up Next: Germany.

The news comes more than a year after news that Starzplay (now Lionsgate+) is working on a premium scripted series about the King’s life from Homeland producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa.

Catalina Sandino Moreno to Star in the John Wick Spinoff “Ballerina”

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Catalina Sandino Moreno will soon chaseé her way into a theater near you…

The 41-year-old Colombian Oscar-nominated actress is joining Ana de Armas in the John Wick spinoff Ballerina in a sizeable role.

Moreno’s part remains under wraps.

Sandino Moreno, whose deal just closed, joins Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick in the Lionsgate release.

Cameras are currently rolling on the Len Wiseman-directed, Shay Hatten-scripted title in the $586M-grossing John Wick universe.

Producer Erica Lee said: “One of the challenges of casting Ballerina is making sure that the new roles are played by actors with as much power, emotional presence, and physical skill as Ana has. After working with Catalina on John Woo’s Silent Night, it was clear that she belonged at the top of our list, and it’s a thrill to be reuniting with her.”

Moreno was Oscar nominated out of the gate for her debut performance in 2004’s Maria Full of Grace.

In her next film, Silent Night, she stars opposite Joel Kinnaman and Kid Cudi. She recently starred in the indie Barbarians opposite Iwan Rheon and Tom Cullen.

She also stars in the Epix horror series From, currently shooting its second season.

Other recent work includes a role as a series regular on Showtime’s The Affair and a starring role on the Duplass Brothers’ HBO series Room 104.

Daniella Pineda Joins Cast of ABC’s “Home Economics” in Recurring Role

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Daniella Pineda is heading home…

The 49-year-old Cuban American actor has joined the cast of ABC’s Home Economics in a recurring guest star role for Season 3.

Home Economics, inspired by series co-creator Michael Colton’s real-life experiences, documents the uncomfortable yet heartwarming relationships of three siblings in very different situations: one in the ultra-rich, one in the middle class, and one scraping by.

Pineda will play the role of Nikki, a woman Connor (Jimmy Tatro) meets and tries to impress.

The series stars Topher Grace, Caitlin McGee, Karla Souza, Sasheer Zamata, Shiloh Bearman, Jordyn Curet, Chloe Jo Rountree and JeCobi Swain.

The comedy series currently airs on Wednesday nights at 9:30 pm.

Home Economics is produced by Lionsgate and ABC Signature.

Pineda most recently starred in Jurassic World: Dominion returning to the role of Zia Rodriguez from the 2018 film, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom where she co-starred opposite Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. In 2023, she will star in the feature film comedy In Town, which she also executive produced. Additionally, she will work opposite Gerard Butler and Mike Colter in the upcoming film, Plane, for Lionsgate and Di Bonaventura Pictures.

Her television credits include Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop, AMC’s Tales of the Walking Dead, and TBS’ The Detour. Pineda is repped by UTA, Kirsten Ames Management, and attorney Isaac Dunham.

Eddie Cibrian to Appear on Season 3 of ABC’s “Home Economics”

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Eddie Cibrian is building up his acting resume…

The 49-year-old Cuban American actor has joined the cast of ABC’s Home Economics in a recurring guest star role for Season 3.

Cibrian will portray the character of Santiago, an extremely good-looking contractor who starts working with Marina (Karla Souza).

The series stars Topher Grace, Caitlin McGee, Jimmy Tatro, Souza, Sasheer Zamata, Shiloh Bearman, Jordyn Curet, Chloe Jo Rountree and JeCobi Swain.

The comedy series currently airs on Wednesday nights at 9:30 pm.

Home Economics is produced by Lionsgate and ABC Signature.

Cibrian most recently starred in Netflix’s Country Comfort where he portrayed the character of Beau.

Prior to that, he was a lead in ABC’s Take Two and Fox’s Rosewood.

His other television credits include CBS’ CSI: Miami, ABC’s Ugly Betty and NBC’s Third Watch.

Rosa Salazar Signs with Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rosa Salazar has new representation…

The 37-year-old half-Peruvian actress has signed with the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA).

Salazar rose to prominence with turns on the film side in The Divergent Series: Insurgent for Lionsgate, the Maze Runner franchise for 20th Century Fox and Robert Rodriguez’s sci-fi actioner Alita: Battle Angel.

She more recently appeared in Dean Fleischer-Camp’s hit animated film Marcel the Shell with Shoes On for A24, and will next be seen starring alongside Michael Peña in Prime Video’s A Million Miles Away, an astronaut drama inspired by the true story of Jose Hernandez, who defied insurmountable odds to become the first migrant farmworker to travel to space.

Her other notable credits include Bird Box and The Kindergarten Teacher for Netflix and Night Owls for MGM’s Orion Pictures.

Salazar currently stars in the series Wedding Season for Hulu and Disney+, and has also starred on series including Brand New Cherry Flavor for Netflix and the beautifully rotoscoped Undone for Prime Video. Additional small-screen credits include Big Mouth on Netflix, Man Seeking Woman on FXX and Parenthood on NBC.

Salazar produces Undone, co-produces Brand New Cherry Flavor and also previously wrote and directed the short film Good Crazy, which premiered in competition at Sundance in 2017.

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