Danny Ramirez to Star in Live Reading of Oscar-Nominated Drama “Anatomy of a Fall”

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Danny Ramirez is studying anatomy…

The 31-year-old Colombian and Mexican American actors will star in a live reading of the Oscar-nominated drama Anatomy of a Fall.

Ramirez will star alongside Riley Keough, Bob Odenkirk, Jay Ellis, Kate Berlant, Quincy Isaiah and Olivia Wilde in the reading.

Keough takes on the lead role of Sandra, which earned Sandra Hüller an Academy Award nomination for best actress this year.

In addition to the human cast, the movie’s dog Messi will reprise his role as Snoop.

The event, taking place on February 14 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, is presented by Neon and Film Independent. The film’s director Justine Triet will co-direct with Franklin Leonard of The Black List.

“My partner Arthur and I wrote this script while in quarantine together,” Triet said in a statement on Saturday. “What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than with this caliber of talent exploring relationships, love and truth? We are so excited at the opportunity to collaborate with Film Independent.”

In addition to best actress, Anatomy of a Fall’s Oscar nominations include best original screenplay, best editing, best director and best picture.

The film has won the Palme d’Or, two Golden Globe Awards – including best screenplay – and two Gotham Awards. Anatomy of a Fall has been highly recognized by more than 25 national critics groups, in addition to garnering nominations from the Producers Guild of America and American Cinema Editors.

Past live readings at the Wallis have included Love Actually, Back to the Future, Jennifer’s Body and Triangle of Sadness.

For more information and tickets for the live reading, go to filmindependent.org.

Ramirez’s previous credits include The Gifted, On My Block and Top Gun: Maverick.

Neon Releases Official Trailer for Adam Driver & Penelope Cruz’s “Ferrari”

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Penelope Cruz is driving interest in her latest film project…

The official trailer has been released for Michael Mann’s Ferrari, starring the 49-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actress opposite Adam Driver.

“Two objects cannot occupy the same point in space at the same moment in time,” begins the trailer.

The film finds automotive mogul Enzo Ferrari at a personal and professional crisis point in his life. “The corner races at you, you have perhaps a crisis of identity,” says Driver’s Ferrari. “Am I a sportsman, or a competitor?” he asks.

Facing bankruptcy and a marriage unraveling, Ferrari’s best hope of saving his legacy and his failing business is to win the treacherous Mille Miglia 1,000-mile race across Italy.

Neon will release the film on December 25. “If you get into one of my cars, you get in to win.”

Here’s the film’s description: It is the summer of 1957. Behind the spectacle of Formula 1, ex-racer Enzo Ferrari (Driver) is in crisis. Bankruptcy threatens the factory he and his wife, Laura (Cruz), built from nothing 10 years earlier. Their volatile marriage has been battered by the loss of their son a year earlier, and Ferrari struggles to acknowledge his son with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley). Meanwhile, his drivers’ passion to win pushes them to the edge as they launch into the treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy, the Mille Miglia.

Patrick Dempsey, Sarah Gordon, Gabriel Leone and Jack O’Connell also star in Mann’s vehicle, which was scripted by Troy Kennedy Martin.

Netflix Releases First Trailer for Tyler Dean Flores’ Reggaeton-Themed Comedy Series “Neon”

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Tyler Dean Flores is gassed up for his next project…

The first trailer has been released for Netflix’s reggaeton-themed series Neon, starring the 25-year-old Nuyorican actor, ahead of is October 19 premiere.

From creators Shea Serrano and Max Searle, Neon follows three friends in Miami as they hustle their way to making it big in the world of reggaeton. The eight-episode comedy captures not only the three besties’ larger-than-life dreams but also the harsh realities and funny mishaps of surviving the music industry.

Flores plays Santi, a rising reggaeton artist who, with the help of his friends Ness (Emma Ferreira), Felix (Jordan Mendoza), and A&R rep Mia (Courtney Taylor), hopes to become the biggest star in reggaeton—or at least pay his rent.

Daddy Yankee, a pioneer of the musical genre, executive produces the series and makes an appearance.

Genesis Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Jhayco, Santiago Cabrera and Jowell are also among the Season 1 guest stars.

Neon co-creator Max Searle serves as showrunner.

In addition to Yankee, the series is executive produced by Serrano and Searle, alongside SB Projects and Anne Clements.

Executive music producers include Tainy, Lex Borrero, Ivan Rodriguez, from Ntertain and Neon16, and collectively known as Tainy & One Six. One Six of Neon16 and Ntertain, and Joe Rodriguez and Javier Nuno of Indice are music producers. Jordan Mendoza served as consulting producer; Miguel Nolla, Wally Baram and Frances Lausell produce.

Tainy Named Executive Music Producer on SB Project’s Reggaeton Series “Neon”

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Tainy is ready to light up SB Project’s Neon series…

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican Grammy-winning reggaeton record producer and songwriter, along with Lex Borrero and Ivan Rodriguez – all from Ntertain and Neon16, collectively known as Tainy & One Six, will serve as executive music producers on Neon.

The group is writing and producing original songs for the series.

The music supervisors are One Six of Neon16 and Ntertain, and Joe Rodriguez and Javier Nuno of Indice.

Deadline also exclusively revealed in May the addition of reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee as an executive producer, who will also cameo in the series.

The eight-episode series set to premiere later this year focuses on three friends who move from a small town in Florida to Miami with the hopes of making it big in the world of reggaeton. The show chronicles not only their larger-than-life dreams but the harsh comic realities of attempting to make it in the music industry.

Tyler Dean Flores plays Santi, a budding reggaeton artist who, with the help of his friends, Ness (Emma Ferreira) and Felix (Jordan Mendoza) and A&R rep, Mia (Courtney Taylor) hopes to become the biggest reggaeton star in the world—or at least make rent.

Neon was co-created by Shea Serrano and Max Searle, who also serves as showrunner. The series is executive produced by Serrano, Searle, alongside Scooter Braun, James Shin and Scott Manson for SB Projects, Anne Clements and Daddy Yankee.

Neon Acquires North American Rights to Pablo Berger’s First Animated Feature “Robot Dreams”

Posted on May 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pablo Berger’s dreams will bring him stateside…

Neon has acquired the North American rights to Robot Dreams, the first animated feature from the 60-year-old Spanish Goya Award-winning filmmaker.

The film premiered in the Special Screenings section of the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, May 20th.

Based on the award-winning graphic novel of the same name by Sara Varon, Robot Dreams follows DOG, who lives in Manhattan and one day, tired of being alone, decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of ’80s NYC. One summer night, DOG, with great sadness, is forced to abandon ROBOT at the beach. Will they ever meet again?

Berger produced the film alongside Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, Sandra Tapia Diaz and Ángel Durández, with Jérôme Vidal, Sylvie Pialat and Benoit Quainon co-producing.

The acquisition, which is the first North American deal announced for a Cannes festival movie this edition, comes on the heels of Neon’s past triumphs at Cannes with three consecutive Palme d’Or winners: Parasite, Titane and Triangle of Sadness.

Berger’s previous projects include Torremolinos, Blancanieves and Abracadabra.

Daddy Yankee to Executive Produce & Appear in Netflix’s Reggaeton-Themed Series “Neon”

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an electric time for Daddy Yankee…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar is set to executive produce the upcoming Netflix series Neon.

Daddy Yankee, a pioneer of the reggaeton genre popularized in his native Puerto Rico, will also make a cameo appearance.

Across 8 episodes, Neon follows three friends who move from a small town in Florida to Miami, hoping to make it big in the world of reggaeton. The show chronicles their larger-than-life dreams and the harsh comic realities of attempting to make it in the music industry.

Tyler Dean Flores plays Santi, a budding reggaeton artist who, with the help of his friends, Ness (Emma Ferrerira) and Felix (Jordan Mendoza) and A&R rep, Mia (Courtney Taylor) hopes to become the biggest reggaeton star in the world—or at least make rent.

Shea Serrano created Neon and Max Searle is the showrunner. In addition to Serrano and Daddy Yankee, executive producers include Searle alongside Scooter Braun, James Shin and Scott Manson for SB Projects and Anne Clements. Kyle Vinuya and Demi Adejuyigbe co-executive produce. Jordan Mendoza serves as consulting producer.

Daddy Yankee, the multi-hyphenate born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, recently announced his retirement as a performer following a successful three-decades-long career with his final shows set from November 30 to December 3 in Puerto Rico. The 5-time Latin Grammy Award winner’s biggest hit Gasolina, recently became the first reggaeton song to be inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.

Daddy Yankee previously executive produced and starred in the film Talento de Barrio (2008) from director José Iván Santiago.

Although he has yet to announce his plans for the future, he remains dedicated to his non-profit Daddy’s House via his Corazon Guerrero Foundation.

Netflix Orders Reggaeton-Themed Comedy Series “Neon,” Starring Tyler Dean Flores

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Tyler Dean Flores is bringing a little reggaeton to Netflix…

Netflix has given a series order to Neon, a comedy series starring the Puerto Rican actor.

The project is set in the world of the musical genre that birthed the song “Despacito,” the second-most-viewed video ever on YouTube.

Flores, Emma Ferreira, Jordan Mendoza and Courtney Taylor star in the series, which hails from creator Shea Serrano with Max Searle set as showrunner.

Serrano, the author of The Rap Year Book, is behind Amazon Freevee series Primo with Mike Schur and Searle is co-showrunner of the second season of Chad and co-exec producer of Dave.

The eight-part series focuses on three friends who move from a small town in Florida to Miami with the hopes of making it big in the world of reggaeton. The show chronicles not only their larger than life dreams but the harsh comic realities of attempting to make it in the music industry.

Flores (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) plays Santi, a budding reggaeton artist who, with the help of his friends, Ness, played by (Ferreira) and Felix, (Mendoza) and A&R rep, Mia (Taylor) hopes to become the biggest reggaeton star in the world. Or at least make rent.

The series is executive produced by Serrano and Searle. It comes from Scooter Braun’s SB Projects with Braun executive-producing alongside Scott Manson and James Shin. Kyle Vinuya is co-executive producer. Mendoza also serves as consulting producer.

Flores’ previous credits include The Dark Knight Rises, When They See Us and Chicago Fire.

Zoe Saldana to Receive “Star of the Year” Award at CinemaCon

Posted on April 24, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Zoe Saldana is a shining star…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress will be among the honorees at CinemaCon’s Big Screen Achievement Awards.

Saldana will receive a CinemaCon Star of the Year award as The Adam Project star prepares for the release of a slate of projects that includes a new David O. Russell film, Keyhole Garden, the Avatar franchise and a new Guardians of the Galaxy installment.

The Big Screen Achievement Awards will be held at CinemaCon headquarters at Caesars Palace on April 28 and will be hosted by Entertainment Tonight veteran Kevin Frazier from inside the Colosseum. The awards are designed to shine a spotlight on the big-screen achievements of actors and filmmakers.

Other honorees include Robert De Niro, Billy Eichner, Abby Ryder Fortson and Glen Powell.

Additional honors are expected to be announced.

“CinemaCon may be the only time during the course of the year where the exhibition community gets to thank the creative world for providing the very best in the world of movies,” said Neuhauser. “Our roster of honorees this year represents an incredible scope of talent and to have one of the most legendary actors in the history of film being honored, that of course being Robert De Niro — well, it really doesn’t get better than that.”

The news comes just days before the big event that sees Hollywood studios and cinema operators gather in Las Vegas for the annual convention hosted by the National Association of Theatre Owners.

This year, all five major Hollywood studios plus Lionsgate and Neon will be touting their upcoming slates during their time on stage inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

CinemaCon, expected to draw upward of 6,000 guests, runs April 25-28. Partners this year include both the International Cinema Technology Association and National Association of Concessionaires.

Gabriela Revilla Lugo to Pen Mattel’s Live-Action Family Drama “Christmas Balloon”

Posted on December 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriela Revilla Lugo is blowing up in Hollywood…

The 39-year-old Nicaraguan film director, producer and writer is teaming up with Mattel to develop the live-action family drama Christmas Balloon.

Revilla Lugo will write the script based on a true story.

The film follows a young girl, Dáyami, living in a Mexican border town who tries to send her Christmas list to Santa tied to a balloon. The balloon is found by Randy and Marcella Heiss, a couple in Arizona grieving the loss of their own child, who make it their mission to fulfill the girl’s touching Christmas wishes.

Mattel worked with the couple and donated toys to fulfill Dáyami’s wish towards a brighter future.

“Much like Dáyami’s balloon itself, the journey of this touching story and Mattel’s direct role in fulfilling her real-life wishes made it a must-do for us,” said Kevin McKeon, VP of Mattel Films. “We were immediately struck by this little girl’s spirit and the story’s positive message. We also knew there was no one better to tell her story with passion and sensitivity than Gabriela. We are proud to work with her, along with Vital Pictures, to bring this touching family drama to audiences around the world.”

McKeon and Ivan Sanchez, Creative Executive are overseeing the project for Mattel Films. Chris Lemos and Luis Guerrero of Vital Pictures are producing.

“Randy and Marcella’s story exemplifies the holiday spirit and shows the miraculous way small acts of kindness can change lives, bring families together, and inspire entire communities on both sides of the border. We can’t think of better partners than Mattel and Gabriela to bring this wonderful true story to audiences everywhere,” said Lemos on behalf of Vital Pictures.

“I am honored to bring Dáyami’s journey to life in a time when it’s clear we all need to believe in hope and magic,” Revilla Lugo said.

Writer/producer Revilla Lugo is best known for executive producing Hulu/Neon’s Palm Springs and the Netflix movie The Starling, starring Melissa McCarthy.

Neon Acquires Worldwide Rights to Rebeca Huntt’s Debut Film “Beba”

Posted on October 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Rebeca Huntt’s acclaimed debut film is going global…

Neon has acquired the worldwide rights to Beba, the debut film by the Afro-Latina artist.

Huntt’s 16mm feature film of poetry and interview footage, which recently made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival to rave reviews, will debut in 2022.

Huntt undertakes an unflinching exploration of her own identity in the coming-of-age documentary/cinematic memoir. Reflecting on her childhood and adolescence in New York City as the daughter of a Dominican father and Venezuelan mother, she investigates the historical, societal and generational trauma she’s inherited and ponders how those ancient wounds have shaped her, while simultaneously considering the universal truths that connect us all as humans.

Huntt searches for a way to forge her own creative path amid a landscape of intense racial and political unrest as an Afro-Latina artist hungry for knowledge and yearning for connection.

“Poetic, powerful and profound, Beba is a courageous, deeply human self-portrait of an Afro-Latina artist hungry for knowledge and yearning for connection,” Neon said.

Huntt wrote and directed the film, and she produced it with Sofia Geld. Oscar nominee Petra Costa, Alyse Ardell Spiegel, Alessandra Orofino, Joy Bryant and Inuka Bacote-Capiga serve as the film’s executive producers.

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