Tag Archives: Paramount

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

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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.

Valentina & Lolita Banana“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

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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.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez to Star in 12th Season of Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story”

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Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has a new story in the works…

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican Golden Globe-winning actress will reunite with Pose co-creator Ryan Murphy on the 12th season of FX’s American Horror Story.

Rodriguez joins already cast Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Cara Delevingne in what’s being dubbed thematically as ‘delicate.’

The latest season of Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Horror Story is based on the Danielle Valentine thriller novel, Delicate Condition, due out in August.

Season 12 is being adapted and showrun by Halley Feiffer.

It’s the first time that the anthology series drew inspiration from a novel.

The season reportedly follows a woman who becomes convinced that a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens. Season 12 is also being billed as a feminist update of Rosemary’s Baby. Rodriguez’s role is being kept under wraps.

Rodriguez played Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on Murphy’s award-winning series Pose, and became the first trans actress to be Emmy nominated in a lead acting category, and the very first trans individual to win a Golden Globe (in Best Actress TV Drama). Rodriguez was also nominated in the Lead Actress category at the Primetime Emmys for Pose in 2021

Rodriguez is currently filming the second season of Apple’s Loot, and will next appear in Paramount’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts voicing the character of “Nightbird”, that film is due out on June 9. She is also set to produce and star in the upcoming indie drama Mudfire, being produced by Randy Jackson.

“General Hospital” Star Maurice Benard Earns Daytime Emmy Awards Nod for Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor

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It’s a sonny time for Maurice Benard.

Nominations for the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards have been revealed, with the 60-year-old Salvadorian and Nicaraguan American soap opera star and three-time Emmy winner earning a nod.

Maurice BenardBenard is nominated in the Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor category for his performance as beloved character Sonny Corinthos on ABC’s General Hospital.

Benard, who has portrayed the manic depressive mob kingpin Sonny Corinthos since 1993, previously won the Daytime Emmy in the category in 2003, 20019 and 2021.

Nicholas Chavez is nominated in the Supporting Performance In a Daytime Drama Series: Actor category.

The 23-year-old half-Mexican American actor earned the nod for his performance as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital.

Last year, Chavez won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series for his work as Spencer.

Selena Gomez has picked up her first Daytime Emmy nomination.

The 30-year-old Mexican American actress, singer and television host is nominated in the Outstanding Culinary Series category for producing Selena + Chef, a series she also hosts.

Gomez will face off against Jose Andres in the category…

The 53-year-old Spanish chef is nominated in the Outstanding Culinary Series category for his family show José Andrés and Family in Spain, available on Discovery+.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

The golden anniversary ceremony is set for Friday, June 16. CBS will air the show and Paramount+ will stream it live at 9:00 pm ET and delayed in the West at 9:00 pm PT. The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmys will be presented the next day.

Here are the nominees for the 50th annual Daytime Emmy Awards:

Daytime Drama Series

The Bay (Popstar! TV)
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor

Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital (ABC)
Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Billy Flynn as Chad DiMera, Days of Our Lives (NBC | Peacock)
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott, The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress

Sharon Case as Sharon Newman, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Melissa Claire Egan as Chelsea Lawson, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane, General Hospital (ABC)
Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood as Steffy Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)

Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress

Krista Allen as Dr. Taylor Hayes, The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Sonya Eddy as Epiphany Johnson, General Hospital (ABC)
Stacy Haiduk as Kristen DiMera, Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
Brook Kerr as Dr. Portia Robinson, General Hospital (ABC)
Kelly Thiebaud as Dr. Britt Westbourne, General Hospital (ABC)

Supporting Performance In a Daytime Drama Series: Actor

Nicholas Chavez as Spencer Cassadine, General Hospital (ABC)
Chad Duell as Michael Corinthos, General Hospital (ABC)
Daniel Feuerriegel as EJ DiMera, Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
Robert Gossett as Marshall Ashford, General Hospital (ABC)
Jon Lindstrom as Dr. Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain, General Hospital (ABC)

Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama Series

Cary Christopher as Thomas DiMera, Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
Victoria Grace as Wendy Shin, Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks, General Hospital (ABC)
Henry Joseph Samiri as Douglas Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)

Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series

Steve Burton as Harris Michaels, Beyond Salem (Peacock)
Cassandra Creech as Dr. Grace Buckingham, The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Alley Mills as Heather Webber, General Hospital (ABC)
Robert Newman as Ashland Locke, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
Kevin Spirtas as Dr. Craig Wesley, Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)

Daytime Talk Series

The Drew Barrymore Show (Syndicated)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
Live with Kelly and Ryan (Syndicated)
Today with Hoda and Jenna (NBC)

Entertainment News Series

Access Hollywood (Syndicated)
E! News (E! Entertainment)
Entertainment Tonight (Syndicated)
Extra (Syndicated)
Inside Edition (Syndicated)

Daytime Talk Series Host

Drew Barrymore, The Drew Barrymore Show (Syndicated)
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall (Syndicated)
Kelly Ripa, Ryan Seacrest, Live with Kelly and Ryan (Syndicated)
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri! (Syndicated)

Daytime Program Host

Danielle Brooks, Instant Dream Home (Netflix)
Mike Corey, Uncharted Adventure (The Weather Channel)
Zac Efron, Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix)
Kevin O’Connor, This Old House (PBS/Roku)
Martha Stewart, Martha Gardens (Roku)

Culinary Series

Family Dinner (Magnolia Network)
José Andrés and Family in Spain (Discovery+)
Martha Cooks (Roku)
Roadfood: Discovering America One Dish at a Time (PBS)
Selena + Chef (HBO Max)

Culinary Host

Kardea Brown, Delicious Miss Brown (Food Network)
Ina Garten, Be My Guest with Ina Garten (Food Network)
Guy Fieri, Guy’s Ranch Kitchen (Food Network)
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks (Roku)
Justin Sutherland, Taste the Culture (TBS/ TNT/truTV)
Andrew Zimmern, Family Dinner (Magnolia Network)

Legal/Courtroom Program

Caught in Providence (Syndicated)
Hot Bench (Syndicated)
Judge Steve Harvey (ABC)\
Judy Justice (Freevee)
The People’s Court (Syndicated)

Travel, Adventure and Nature Program

Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix)
Guy’s All-American Road Trip (Food Network)\
The Hidden Lives of Pets (Netflix)
Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix)
Reel Destinations (Focus Features)
Wild Babies (Netflix)

Instructional/How-To Program

Amanda Gorman Teaches Writing and Performing Poetry (MasterClass)
Fixer Upper: The Castle (Magnolia Network)
Idea House: Mountain Modern (Roku)
Instant Dream Home (Netflix)
Martha Gardens (Roku)

Lifestyle Program

Eat This With Yara (AJ+)
For the Love of Kitchens (Magnolia Network)
George to the Rescue (NBC)
Life After Death with Tyler Henry (Netflix)
Mind Your Manners (Netflix)
The Established Home (Magnolia Network)

Arts and Popular Culture Program

American Anthems (PBS)
Kings of Leon @ O2 (YouTube)
My Bluegrass Story (RFD-TV)
Variety Power of Women: Changemakers Lifetime (Variety Studio)
Actors on Actors (PBS)
Working in the Theatre (AmericanTheatreWing.org)

Educational and Informational Program

Book of Queer (Discovery+)
The Earth Unlocked (The Weather Channel)
The Future Of (Netflix)
Harlem Globetrotters Play It Forward (NBC)
Historian’s Take (PBS)
Italy Made with Love (PBS)
Vikings: The Rise and Fall (National Geographic)

Daytime Special

96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day (NBC)
All Boys Aren’t Blue (YouTube)
Behind The Table: A View Reunion (Hulu)
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day (ABC)
Extra: Cheslie Kryst 1991-2022 (Syndicated)
The House that Norm Built (PBS/Roku)
Recipe for Change: Standing up to Anti-Semitism (YouTube Originals)

Short Form Program

Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond (World Channel)
Dressed (Focus Features)
Finding Pause (Healthline)
Handmade (YouTube)
My Mark featuring Marcus Samuelsson (Conde Nast/Bon Appetit)
Ready Jet Cook (Food Network)

Promotional Announcement

Access Hollywood, “Tow Yard” (Syndicated)
The Drew Barrymore Show, “Drew’s Got the Beat” (Syndicated)
The Jennifer Hudson Show, “EGOT, Hope, and Joy, and Magic” (Syndicated)
Sherri! “Sherri: Fun. Joy. Laughter.” (Syndicated)
Tamron Hall, “Women Reclaiming Their Power: Michelle Branch & Angela Simmons” (Syndicated)

Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series

The Bay (Popstar! TV)
Beyond Salem: Chapter Two (Peacock)
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Writing Team for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program*

Book of Queer (Discovery+)
The Drew Barrymore Show (Syndicated)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Syndicated)
Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)

*Due to submission count, this category is a merged Writing Team for a Daytime Non-Fiction Series and Writing Team for a Daytime Non-Fiction Special. All entries in both categories were judged by the same panel.

Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series

The Bay (Popstar! TV)
Beyond Salem: Chapter Two (Peacock)
The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Days of our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Directing Team for a Single Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program

Ask This Old House (PBS/Roku)
Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia (Magnolia Network)
Home (Apple TV+)
Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix)
Wild Babies (Netflix)

Directing Team for a Multiple Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program

American Anthems (PBS)
The Drew Barrymore Show (Syndicated)
Entertainment Tonight (Syndicated)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
The View (ABC)

Music Direction and Composition

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
The Hidden Lives of Pets (Netflix)
Home (Apple TV+)
Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)

Original Song

“Darling Darling,” General Hospital (ABC)
“Everyone Dances,” The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
“Life Is Sweet,” American Anthems (PBS)
“Only There,” Joni Table Talk (Daystar)
“Pocket Change,” American Anthems (PBS)

Lighting Direction

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
The Drew Barrymore Show (Syndicated)
General Hospital (ABC)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
The View (ABC)

Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day (ABC)\
The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
The Talk (CBS)
The View (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Cinematography

The Hidden Lives of Pets (Netflix)
Home (Apple TV+)
Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix)
Italy Made with Love (PBS)
Wild Babies (Netflix)

Single Camera Editing

Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia (Magnolia Network)\
The Hidden Lives of Pets (Netflix)
Home (Apple TV+)
Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix)
Wild Babies (Netflix)

Multiple Camera Editing

Articulate with Jim Cotter (PBS)
Behind The Table: A View Reunion (Hulu)
Book of Queer (Discovery+)
Emeril Cooks (Roku)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
Rachael Ray (Syndicated)

Outstanding Live Sound Mixing and Sound 

Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Syndicated)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Sound Mixing And Sound Editing

Car Masters: Rust to Riches (Netflix)
Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix)
The Hidden Lives of Pets (Netflix)
Home (Apple TV+)
Island of the Sea Wolves (Netflix)
Wild Babies (Netflix)

Main Title and Graphic Design

Book of Queer (Discovery+)
Car Masters: Rust to Riches (Netflix)
The Drew Barrymore Show (Syndicated)
Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix)
Instant Dream Home (Netflix)

Casting

Book of Queer (Discovery+)
Days of our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
General Hospital (ABC)
Start Up (PBS)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design

General Hospital (ABC)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
The Talk (CBS)
The View (ABC)
The Young and the Restless (CBS)

Costume Design/Styling

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
Book of Queer (Discovery+)
General Hospital (ABC)
Sherri! (Syndicated)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Hairstyling and Makeup

The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
Red Table Talk Facebook Watch
Sherri! (Syndicated)
Tamron Hall (Syndicated)

Naysha Lopez to Compete on Season 8 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars”

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Naysha Lopez will be racing once again….

RuPaul’s Drag Race producers have announced the contestants for Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, with the 38-year-old drag performer among those former Drag Race contestants returning for another chance at the crown.

Naysha LopezLopez, a former Miss Continental titleholder, competed on Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She came in ninth place during her season.

But Lopez isn’t the only Latinx contestant for the next All Stars installment…

Kandy Muse is hoping to go one step further in her quest for the crown.

The 28-year-old Dominican American drag queen, queer artist and performer was the runner-up on the thirteenth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Kandy MuseIn addition to Naysha Lopez and Kandy Muse, the other 10 queens returning to the runway in hopes of snatching the crown include Alexis Michelle, Darienne Lake, Heidi N Closet, Jaymes Mansfield, Jessica Wild, Jimbo, Kahanna Montrese, LaLa Ri, Monica Beverly Hillz and Mrs. Kasha Davis.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars will begin streaming on Paramount+ with two new episodes on May 12. The queens will compete for a spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame”’ along with a cash prize of $200,000.

New episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked will premiere alongside Season 8 to bring viewers behind the scenes to the backstage drama as the queens anxiously await their fate each week.

Here’s more information about each of this season’s queens:

Alexis Michelle (Season 9)
Curtain up! Light the lights! New York City’s Alexis Michelle is ready to take the stage – again! This singing and dancing Broadway baby made it to the Top 5 on Season 9, and now she’s ready for her encore – and to claim her spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame!

Darienne Lake (Season 6)
It’s time to take another dip into the cool, refreshing waters of Darienne Lake! This pretty and witty comedy queen made a big splash in Season 6, going all the way to the Top 4. Now, after a transformative weight loss journey, she’s ready to show the world she’s the fiercest queen of all!

Heidi N Closet (Season 12)
The blessed and highly favored Miss Congeniality of Season 12, Heidi N Closet, is back to snatch the All Stars Crown! This former small-town girl has hit the bigtime, and is ready to prove that she’s got the ssssoft and ssssupple star power to take her all the way to the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

Jaymes Mansfield (Season 9)
Season 9’s bubbly, blonde bombshell – Jaymes Mansfield – is bringing classic showbiz sparkle to All Stars! She’s taken the internet by storm with her hilarious online beauty tutorials, and caused a commotion in “The B* Who Stole Christmas.” Now she’s got her sights on the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

Jessica Wild (Season 2)
From Season 2, it’s the original golden child Jessica Wild. The lovable and talented Puerto Rican powerhouse is back to prove that she can sing, dance and crack your padded ass up! Baby, things are about to get Wild! Escándalo!

Jimbo (Canada’s Drag Race Season 1, UK vs. the World Season 1)
What’s big, bouncing and may be used as a floatation device? Canada’s drag clown, Jimbo! This bodacious queen is stacked–with talent! And after gagworthy seasons on Canada’s Drag Race and UK vs. the World, she’s ready to bring home the bologna. And a crown!

Kahanna Montrese (Season 11)
Did someone say “glow-up” from the floor up? Here comes Kahanna Montrese! This showgirl from Sin City has been wowing crowds at RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas, and now she’s doubling down on the ultimate jackpot – the All-Stars crown!

Kandy Muse (Season 13)
The queen of the Badonka-donk Bronx is back to give you a sugar rush! After coming “this close” to winning the Season 13 crown, this outspoken and outrageous Kandy Muse is ready to remind the world what “star quality” is all about!

LaLa Ri (Season 13)
Season 13’s fierce fan favorite is back to bag a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame! Can this former Miss Congeniality prove that nice girls finish first? Get ready for the LaLa Ri Experience 2.0!

Monica Beverly Hillz (Season 5)
Monica Beverly Hillz made herstory on Season 5 when she shared her truth on the mainstage. Now, the trans trailblazer is back to serve face and fashion on her way to the Drag Race Hall of Fame. 9021-OMG!

Mrs. Kasha Davis (Season 7)
There’s always time for…Mrs. Kasha Davis! Season 7’s international celebrity housewife and Drag Story Hour hostess is here to turn a new page and demonstrate that reading – and kindness – are fundamental!

Naysha Lopez (Season 8)
Hola, the beauty is back! Chicago’s hardest-working pageant queen Naysha Lopez is ready for the biggest contest of them all! Gone too soon from Season 8, this gorgeous glamazon – and former Miss Continental – will thrill drag fans all over again!

Scott Mescudi to Star Opposite Idris Elba in Paramount+ & SEGA’s Series “Knuckles” 

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Scott Mescudi is hedge-ing his bets…

The 39-year-old half-Mexican American rapper, singer and actor, also known by his stage name Kid Cudi, has joined the cast of the Paramount+ and SEGA series Knuckles, with Idris Elba set to reprise role of titular character.

Scott “Kid Cudi” MescudiMescudi is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Edi Patterson, Julian Barratt and Ellie Taylor.

Adam Pally, who appeared in the most recent Sonic the Hedgehog sequel will reprise his role of Walt Whipple with Rory McCann guest starring. In addition, Tika Sumpter will guest star, reprising her role as Maddie.

The series is currently in production and will follow Knuckles on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.

The series takes place between the films Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, marking the next installment of the hit franchise, which is slated for December 20, 2024.

All of the key creative team from the previous films are returning for the series, including Jeff Fowler, the films’ director, who is directing the pilot episode, as well as Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, John Whittington and Toru Nakahara, who serve as executive producers on the series. Elba also serves as executive producer.

Additional directors for the series include Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone and Carol Banker.

Whittington, who penned Sonic the Hedgehog 2, wrote the pilot and is the head writer for the series. The other series writers include Brian Schacter and James Madejski.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 earned over $190 million in domestic box office, and over $214 million internationally for a combined total gross of over $405.4 million. On Paramount+, the sequel marks the top-performing Kids & Family film on the service and is also one of the service’s most re-watched films.

Melissa Barrera to Star in Radio Silence’s Untitled Monster Thriller

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Melissa Barrera has reportedly landed a monster role…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress has been cast in Radio Silence’s Untitled Monster Thriller at Universal.

Melissa BarreraRadio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett, who directed the recent Scream films that Barrera has starred in, will helm the project with Scream producer Chad Villella serving as producer alongside William Sherak, Paul Neinstein and James Vanderbilt at Project X Entertainment.

The script was written by Stephen Shields, with revisions by Guy Busick.

Universal Monster films are rooted in the horror genre, with no restrictions on budget, rating or genre. They are not part of a shared interconnected universe, which allows each film to stand on its own. This new direction is filmmaker-driven, inviting innovative filmmakers with original, bold ideas for these characters to develop the stories and pitch them.

Radio Silence has been loosely developing the project since last year following the success of their first Scream pic, but given the success of that film, Paramount moved fast to get Scream VI up and running. While they began meeting with other talent, it became evident pretty quickly that Barrera was the perfect fit for the role following two successful shoots with the rising star and offered her the part.

Barrera is in theaters as the lead of Scream VI, which is the highest-grossing film of the franchise. She next will be seen this spring in the modern musical reimagining of Carmen, opposite Paul Mescal for Sony Pictures Classics.

Also upcoming for Barrera is God’s Country, directed by Egor Abramenko as his American directorial debut; Your Monster from Merman Productions; and The Collaboration written by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody), based off the acclaimed play.

She most recently was seen in the independent film All the World Is Sleeping as well as Netflix’s global hit Keep Breathing and STX’s supernatural thriller Bed Rest, which was also Barrera’s producorial debut.

Ariana DeBose to Return as Host of This Year’s Tony Awards Ceremony

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Ariana DeBose will be heading back to the Tony Awards… 

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress/singer will return as host of this year’s Tony Awards ceremony.

Ariana DeBoseDeBose, who earned a Tony nomination for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, hosted last year’s broadcast to general acclaim.

This year’s event, the 76th Annual Tony Awards, will air live from United Palace in New York City’s Washington Heights on Sunday, June 11, on CBS.

“I was honored to serve as host last year and even more so to be asked back,” DeBose said in a statement. “So looking forward to celebrating this incredible season and the people who make the work happen. Here’s to adding some uptown flavor to the magic of the Tony Awards.”

Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League said in a joint statement that DeBose is a “force both on and off the stage,” and that the event presenters and producers are “thrilled to welcome back one of Broadway’s brightest lights to dazzle, inspire and illuminate this year’s Tony Awards.”

“Ariana will host and dance and sing, we’re so thrilled she’s back to do the thing,” said Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, Executive Producers, White Cherry Entertainment.

DeBose won an Oscar last year for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and was Tony-nominated in 2018 for her role as “Disco Donna” in Broadway’s Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Other stage credits include Hamilton, A Bronx Tale, Pippin and Motown the Musical, among others.

Notable television and film credits include the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! and the Netflix adaptation of the Broadway musical The Prom. She’ll next be seen in the feature films Kraven the Hunter, Wish, House of Spoils, Argylle and I.S.S.

The 76th Tonys celebration will recognize Broadway productions of the 2022-2023 season. The Tony Awards eligibility cut-off date for the season is Thursday, April 27; nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 2.

The 76th Annual Tony Awards will air live Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm PT on CBS, and stream live and in-demand on Paramount+.

Cardi B & Family Join Voice Cast of Upcoming Animation Film “Baby Shark’s Big Movie!”

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Cardi B is hitting the high seas for a new project…

The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar has joined the voice cast of the upcoming animation film Baby Shark’s Big Movie!

Cardi BThe film is the first feature-length spin-off from Baby Shark’s Big Show!, a pre-school series which began in 2021 on Nickelodeon-branded channels and platforms and is now in its second season.

The show is co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation and Seoul, Korea-based The Pinkfong Company and directed by Alan Foreman. Its narrative follows Baby Shark and his family as they move to Chomp City, the big city of sharks.

Cardi B is joined by several members of her own family. While the multi-platinum icon portrays Sharki B, her partner and fellow musician Offset gives voice to Offshark, while children Kulture plays Kulture Shark and Wave as Wavey Shark.

The film is set to premiere later this year exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S and shortly after on Paramount+ internationally where the service is available. In Korea, Southeast Asia and China, the film is distributed by The Pinkfong Company. Paramount+ is carried as a branded block in Korea on the CJ ENM-controlled platform Tving.

Cardi B, Offset and Kulture had previously appeared on the television version of Baby Shark’s Big Show!

The film will also star regular voice actors from the Baby Shark’s Big Show series, including: Kimiko Glenn as Baby Shark; Luke Youngblood as William; Natasha Rothwell as Mommy Shark; Eric Edelstein as Daddy Shark; Debra Wilson as Grandma Shark; and Patrick Warburton as Grandpa Shark.

In other, guest roles, the movie will be voiced by Ashley Tisdale, as Stariana, a sharp-witted and manipulative rising pop starfish who wants to take center stage with a splash hit; Aparna Nancherla; Ego Nwodim; Chloe Fineman; K-pop act Enhypen as a band of belugas; and Lance Bass as a TV announcer.

According to a synopsis from the producers Baby Shark’s Big Movie! sees Baby Shark forced to leave behind the world he loves after his family moves to the big city. He must adjust to his new life without his best friend, William. When Baby Shark encounters an evil pop starfish named Stariana who plans to steal his gift of song in order to dominate all underwater music, he must break her spell to restore harmony to the seas.

The show had its origins as “Pinkfong Baby Shark,” which launched on YouTube in November 2015 and became the world’s first video to hit 10 billion views on the platform. It has generated hit songs and the viral phenomenon, #BabySharkChallenge, which generated over 1 million cover videos around worldwide.

Melissa Barrera & Jenna Ortega’s “Scream VI” Breaks Franchise Record with $44.5 Million Opening Weekend

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Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega are officially Scream queens…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer and her 20-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American’s Scream VI collected $44.5 million in its opening weekend, a great start for Paramount and Spyglass Media’s long-running slasher film series.

Melissa Barrera & Jenna OrtegaThe ticket sales were enough to top domestic box office charts over two newcomers, Sony’s prehistoric sci-fi thriller 65 and Focus Features’ heartwarming comedy Champions, as well as last weekend’s victor Creed III.

 

The initial haul for Scream VI is frighteningly strong for the sixth installment in a franchise. Not only did it greatly improve upon the start of last year’s hit reboot Scream, which scored with $30 million, but it crushed the series’ opening weekend record, previously set by 2000’s Scream 3 with $34 million. Scream VI cost $35 million, so it’ll easily turn a profit in its theatrical run.

“It’s extraordinary to have this type of result after six films,” says Chris Aronson, Paramount’s president of domestic distribution. “We blew away the opening of the last ‘Scream.’ That doesn’t happen.”

The R-rated “Scream VI” added another $22.6 million from 53 international markets, bringing its global tally to $67.1 million.

“Reviews and audience scores are very good, and international business should be solid,” says David A. Gross, who runs the film consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “27 years after launching in 1996, the franchise is healthier than ever.”

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Scream VI follows survivors of Ghostface’s murders as they leave Woodsboro behind for a fresh start in New York City. Courteney Cox, Barrera, Ortega and Hayden Panettiere return for the film, which is the first installment without Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott. The actor departed the film because she felt “the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.

”Opening weekend audience members skewed slightly male (51%), while 71% were between the ages of 18-24.