Paramount to Release New “Mean Girls” Film Starring Auli’i Cravalho in January 2024

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Auli’i Cravalho is bringing the mean in early 2024…

Paramount plans to release its new Mean Girls film, starring the 22-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer and Moana lead, will be released theatrically on January 12, 2024, during the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend.

Paramount had originally planned to release the film via Paramount+.

In addition to Cravalho, the new film stars Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, Jaquel Spivey, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Jenna Fischer, Busy Philipps, Avantika, Mahi Alam, Christopher Briney, Bebe Wood, Ashley Park, Connor Ratliff and Jon Hamm.

Arturo Perez and Samantha Jayne are directing the new film, from a script by Fey.

Broadway Video’s Lorne Michaels has returned to produce alongside Fey.

The original Mean Girls film, directed by Mark Waters and penned by Fey off of Rosalind Wiseman’s novel, grossed more than $130 million worldwide and blasted off the careers of Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried while also repping a box office hit for Lindsay Lohan at the time.

Nickelodeon to Relaunch Dora the Explorer with Diana Zermeño’s Animated Theatrical Short “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures”

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a fantastical time for Diana Zermeño.

Nickelodeon is relaunching the famed Latina explorer in new animated theatrical short, Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, featuring the Latina actress in the voice cast as the titular character, exclusively in theaters on Friday, September 29.

The short film will precede the Spin Master Entertainment/Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount picture, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

It’s a Dora like you’ve never seen her before — in complete CGI animation.

The new CGI animated preschool series of Dora will debut in spring 2024 on Paramount+ stateside. Internationally, Dora will stream day-and-date on Paramount+ and air on Nickelodeon channels in all markets where available.

In Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, Dora (Zermeño) and Boots (Asher Spence) embark on an incredible adventure to the land of alebrijes, the most magical and colorful creatures in the rainforest. There, they must band together against Swiper (Marc Weiner) to save the beloved alebrijes and their Copal Tree Celebration.

The short film also features: Anairis Quiñones as Luna Arcoiris; Danny Burstein as Sol; and Kate del Castillo as Ale. Following the debut of Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, additional Dora content will also be available across Nickelodeon platforms, Paramount+ and Noggin.

The short is produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, Calif. William Mata is directing from a screenplay by Alejandro Bien-Willner and a story by Bien-Willner and Sean Gill. Production is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President, Global Animated Series, Nickelodeon. Miriam Ritchie and Marielle Kaar serve as Nickelodeon’s Executives in Charge of Production for the short. Dora the Explorer is created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner.

Joining the cast of Dora and the Fantastical Creatures in the new Dora series are additional voice actors, including: Anairis Quiñones as Map and The Fiesta Trio’s armadillo; Maria Canals-Barrera as Abuela; Danny Burstein as Grumpy Old Troll, and The Fiesta Trio’s frog and marmoset; Katarina Sky as Backpack; Donovan Monzon-Sanders as Tico; Tandi Fomukong as Isa; Quintún Muñoz as Benny; and Chris Gifford as Big Red Chicken.

Paramount+ Releases First Look at Jenna Ortega’s “Finestkind”

Posted on September 8, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Jenna Ortega’s finest(kind) hour…

Paramount+ has released first look images at Finestkind, starring the 20-year-old Puerto Rican & Mexican American actress.

From Brian Helgeland, the film also stars Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster and Toby Wallace, ahead of its premiere Friday at the Toronto Film Festival. The film is set for a November premiere exclusively on Paramount+.

Written and directed by Helgeland, Finestkind tells the story of two brothers (Foster & Wallace), raised in different worlds, who are reunited as adults over a fateful summer. Set against the backdrop of commercial fishing, the story takes on primal stakes when desperate circumstances force the brothers to strike a deal with a violent Boston crime gang. Along the way a young woman (Ortega) finds herself caught perilously in the middle. Sacrifices must be made and bonds between brothers, friends, lovers, and a father (Jones) and his son are put to the ultimate test.

“Finestkind is populated with characters I once knew. But the film I probably should have made first in my career I saved for now,” said Helgeland. “In it, a crew of fishermen in my hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts, find themselves in dangerous water as debts they can’t possibly pay mount up. In this clip, the pressure begins to turn them against each other.”

Ismael Cruz Cordova, Aaron Stanford, Scotty Tovar, Tim Daly, Lolita Davidovich and Clayne Crawford also star.

Finestkind was originally set back in 2018 with Jake Gyllenhaal, Ansel Elgort and Zendaya starring.

Anitta to Perform at This Year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Anitta will be making a special appearance at this year’s MTV VMAs…

The 30-year-old Brazilian superstar has been added to the list of performers for the MTV Video Music Awards.

Anitta is joined by Lil Wayne, Doja Cat, Kelsea Ballerini and K-pop band Tomorrow X Together as the latest round of performers.

They join previously announced Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin and Stray Kids.

Additional performers to be announced soon.

The awards show will air live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12 at 8:00 pm on MTV and stream on Paramount+.

Taylor Swift leads the pack in nominations with eight, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Anti-Hero”.

Other multi-nominated artists include SZA with 6 noms, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Smith with 5 each, and Blackpink, Diddy and Shakira with 4 each.

There also are a record number of first-ever VMAs nominees (35 total) this year, with multiple nominations for first-timers Kim Petras (5), Metro Boomin and Rema (3 each), Ayra Starr, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Peso Pluma, Reneé Rapp and Yung Miami (2 each).

Other artists receiving first-time nods include Aespa, boygenius, Burna Boy, Davido, Eslabon Armado, Fletcher, Fifty Fifty, JVKE, Lauren Spencer Smith, Musa Keys, PinkPantheress, Saucy Santana, Stephen Sanchez and Toosii, among others.

Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including “Video of the Year,” at vote.mtv.com through Friday, September 1st; voting for “Best New Artist” will remain active into the show on Tuesday, September 12th. Nominations for social categories including “Group of the Year” and “Song of Summer” will be announced at a later date.

Zoe Saldaña’s “Special Ops: Lioness” Touted as Paramount+’s Most-Watched Global Series Premiere in Its First 24 Hours

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Zoe Saldaña is celebrating a special accomplishment…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress’ latest project, Special Ops: Lioness, is a streaming sensation.

The espionage thriller from Taylor Sheridan premiered with two episodes on Paramount+ on July 23, and Paramount Global is now touting it as the streamer’s most-watched global series premiere in its first 24 hours, topping a previous record set by Halo in March 2022.

In addition to debuting on Paramount+, the first two episodes also aired on Paramount Network across the last two weekends. The first episode debuted on July 23 to coincide with the series’ streaming debut, and Episode 2 aired on July 30. The remaining episodes will only be available on Paramount+.

After three days of delayed viewing, Episode 1 scored a combined audience of nearly 6M across viewing on Paramount+ globally and linear viewing on Paramount Network in the U.S., according to Paramount Global.

(For reference, Samba TV reported that 918,000 U.S. households watched Episode 1 on Paramount+ on release day, while 218,000 watched Episode 2.)

“On one of the most competitive weeks of the year, Special Ops: Lioness scored as the No. 1 new scripted series of the year on cable and one of the highest performers of all time on Paramount+,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, Paramount Media Networks & Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “Brilliantly created by Taylor Sheridan and brought to life by our stellar cast, this heart-pounding thriller inspired by real-life events clearly struck a chord with a huge audience.”

Added Domenic DiMeglio, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Paramount Streaming: “The strong viewer reception for Special Ops: Lioness reflects the power of Paramount across the board in creating, producing, marketing and delivering this incredible Taylor Sheridan drama with broad global appeal. We can’t wait for viewers to come along with us on this high stakes thrill ride.”

On the Paramount Network, Special Ops: Lioness followed Paramount Network and CMT’s airing of the Paramount+ original series 1883, which drummed up 2.2M viewers — a season high for that Taylor Sheridan series.

Inspired by an actual U.S. military program, the new Sheridan drama follows Joe (Saldaña) as she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of state terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

Special Ops: Lioness also stars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur and Hannah Love Lanier. The series is executive produced by Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Saldaña, Kidman, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Wagner, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Malone and John Hillcoat.

It’s produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios for Paramount+. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ markets.

“We are thrilled audiences have discovered the power of Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman & Laysla De Oliveira,” said David C. Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “These three incredible actors delivered and make Lioness an action packed, dramatic, joy-ride week after week.”

Lex Borrero Partners with Tommy Mottola to Acquire Arro Media, Now to Be Called AM16

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Lex Borrero is expanding his entertainment empire…

The Latino music executive and entrepreneur, the co-founder/CEO of Neon 16, has teamed up with Ntertain chairman Tommy Mottola to acquire Arro Media, a music marketing and social media agency that boasts a roster of clients like Adidas, Red Bull, the NFL, Xbox, Bacardi, The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and more.

Founded by Cristina Arcay, the company will be rebranded as AM16.

“We have built a growing agency that will redefine how brands connect their marketing and advertising to the Latin culture because we live it day in and day out,” said Borrero and Mottola in a press release. “Our team has a finger on the pulse of trends, uniquely positioned to spot them before they happen, across music, television and film. Today’s announcement further differentiates our capabilities from competitors and will bring an even more comprehensive offering to our clients and partners.”

AM16 will find the intersection among music, entertainment and culture. Together, it will bring Arro’s capabilities with Neon16’s “innovative approach to cultural storytelling and experiential activations,” they said. The merger will include brand strategy and partnerships, product development, content production, music marketing, social media management, digital marketing, public relations, creative design services and experiential events.

“Launching AM16 agency represents an exhilarating new chapter in my career and the future of Arro,” said Arcay, who is appointed as co-president. “As a Latina entrepreneur, being able to lead and learn alongside our new partners represents a huge opportunity to reshape the industry by championing diversity, elevating ideas and fostering cultural movements that resonate with audiences worldwide.”

Chief marketing officer/co-president Gerry Rojas added, “I feel empowered and excited to be working in a Latino-owned agency where we’re reimagining how brands and artists tell their stories authentically, while raising the Latin cultural currency and creating a true, positive impact rooted in music and culture.”

Neon16 works with A-listers such as Tainy, Thalia, Juan Luis Guerra and Danna Paola.

Earlier this year, the company also played a key role in the Netflix Original series La Firma — a Latin music competition that sought to sign the next big Latin music star, featuring Borrero, Tainy, Rauw Alejandro and Nicki Nicole.

Borrero and Mottola also executive-produced Thalia’s music docuseries, Thalia’s Mixtape, via Ntertain on Paramount+.

Luis Gerardo Méndez to Star in the Hollywood-Set Vanity Thriller “Skincare”

Posted on June 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Gerardo Méndez is practicing his Skincare lines…

The 41-year-old Mexican actor and producer will star in Skincare, a vanity thriller set in Hollywood.

Mendez joins a cast that includes Elizabeth Banks, Lewis Pullman, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Nathan Fillion.

The new film haild from Andrea Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment and producers Jonathan Schwartz and Logan Lerman.

Directed by Austin Peters, specifics as to its plot of Skincare are being kept under wraps.

Peters wrote the script with Deering Regan and Sam Freilich.

“We are delighted to announce another international production involving such world-class actresses and actors,” said ILBE CEO Iervolino. “Skincare is a film with a strong visual impact that, because of the cast and the workers it involves, has enormous potential. It is a film that we at ILBE believe in very much.”

Said Schwartz and Lerman, “We are super excited to see Elizabeth Banks take on this type of role, and ecstatic to be working with Austin Peters. We are grateful to Andrea Iervolino and ILBE for their support.”

Added ILBE’s Head of Production, Richard Salvatore, “It was impossible for this great project not to turn out phenomenally well since we had an awesome creative team and the cast was incredible.”

Known for his work on series like Paramount+’s The Envoys and Peacock’s The Resort, Méndez’s film credits include Me Time, Charlie’s Angels and Murder Mystery, to name just a few.

A Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee best known for her work on the groundbreaking FX series Pose, Rodriguez currently stars opposite Maya Rudolph in the Apple comedy series Loot, which has been renewed for a second season. She voices the robot Nightbird in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and has also featured in films like tick, tick… BOOM! and Saturday Church.

Taiga Brava Named Season 2 Winner of Paramount+’s Drag Singing Competition “Queen of the Universe”

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Taiga Brava is taking the reigns…

The 31-year-old Mexican drag performer has been named the season 2 winner of Paramount+’s drag singing competition Queen of the Universe.

Brava was revealed the winner in royally surprising fashion.

Although the RuPaul-produced series — featuring Mel B, Trixie Mattel, Michelle Visage and Vanessa Williams on the judging panel — had only aired its fourth of eight total weekly episodes from its sophomore season last week, all remaining installments were released Thursday on the streaming service.

Following the unexpected drop, Brava was crowned the winner and the recipient of the program’s $250,000 prize, with Australia’s Trevor Ashley and Drag Race Italia competitor Aura Eternal joining Taiga among the top three finalists.

American Miss Continental pageant winner Jazell Barbie Royale — whose viral performance of CeCe Peniston‘s “He Loves Me 2” has made the rounds on social media — just missed out on the final episode, ultimately placing fourth.

“THERE IS A CROWN FOR MEXICO!” Taiga tweeted on Thursday, according to a Spanish-to-English translation on Twitter. “WE WIN QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSEEEE, F—! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. VIVA MÉXICO.”

After she was named the winner, Taiga spoke to the studio audience. “Thank you, everybody, for this opportunity,” she said as the judges stood to applaud her victory. “I’m very grateful right now and I just hope that I get to share this message of love and acceptance and tolerance all over the world and just f—ing be yourself!”

Queen of the Universe’s second season debuted on June 2, and welcomed contestants hailing from nine global nations — Italy, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — to the cast of competitors.

Spice Girls member Mel B — who ruffled some feathers on social media for her sustained criticism of Jazell — joined the judging panel following the departure of season 1 judge Leona Lewis, with Williams, Mattel, and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Visage returning to their posts for season 2.

Also returning for season 2 was host Graham Norton, who helped crown Brazil’s Grag Queen as the first winner of the show in 2021, which also featured Drag Race legend Jujubee and American Idol star Ada Vox among its cast.

Valentina to Co-Host the All-New “Drag Race México”

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Valentina is heading south of the border for a special assignment…

The 32-year-old Mexican American drag performer, actor, television personality and singer, whose real name is James Andrew Leyva, will serve as one of the hosts of the all-new “Drag Race México,” the latest series in the Drag Race franchise.

“With Drag Race Mexico, you’ll find the tenacity of the Mexican heart,” Valentina told Rolling Stone.

Valentina rose to acclaim as a fan favorite on Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and later returned for Season 4 of the all-stars edition.

Valentina’s other credits include Drag Tots, Rent: Live, AJ and the Queen and La Casa de las Flores.

Valentina will be joined by Lolita Banana,

Lolita Banana was the first Mexican-born contestant to compete in a Drag Race series, and last year, starred in the first season of Drag Race France.

MTV, Paramount+ and World of Wonder announced the new hosts on Friday at DragCon Los Angeles.

Contestants for the season have yet to be released.

Pedro Pascal in Final Negotiations to Star in Paramount’s Untitled “Gladiator” Sequel

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pedro Pascal is ready to Rome…

The 48-year-old Chilean actor is thisclose to joining the cast of the untitled Gladiator sequel for Paramount.

Pascal would join Paul Mescal, who will star as Lucius, as well as Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.

Ridley Scott is returning to direct.

Pascal’s role is unknown.

The new film follows the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, which earned more than $460 million in worldwide box office and was nominated for 12 Oscars, winning five including Best Picture.

The role of Maximus, the Roman general-turned-gladiator, was a career-changer for Russell Crowe, not only delivering him the Best Actor Oscar but also launching him to the top of every leading-man list. Once it was made clear last year that the sequel would be Scott’s next movie, every male actor in town that fit the profile began chasing the part.

David Scarpa penned the script.

Also returning from the original film are John Mathieson (director of photography), Arthur Max (production designer) and Janty Yates (costume designer).

Paramount Pictures has dated the film for November 22, 2024.

The first film was co-production between Universal and DreamWorks, and while DreamWorks will not be involved in the sequel, Universal has the right to partner again when the project is packaged.

Pascal has been a major player following his scene-stealing role in his one season on Game of Thrones, but his star has blasted off following The Last of Us, which has become one of the most popular shows in HBO’s history. While HBO is looking to get the show up and going next year, Pascal had been weighing a number of options to shoot before jumping back in to that and the opportunity on this film was too hard to pass up.

Besides The Last of Us, which will certainly have him in award season chatter this Emmy season, he also reprised his role on the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, which just had its Season 3 finale last week.

Pascal can next be seen starring alongside Ethan Hawke in Pedro Almodovar’s short film Strange Way of Life, which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and will be distributed by Sony Pictures Classics this fall.

Additionally, Pascal is in Ethan Coen’s film Drive-Away Dolls, distributed by Focus Features and releasing in September. Pascal also stars in Anna Boden’s Freaky Tales, which is likely to come out later this year.

He also hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this year, earning rave reviews, and is also in contention for some Emmy love this awards season.

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