Maria Pedraza to Star Opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the Thriller “Just Play Dead”

Posted on May 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Maria Pedraza is playing dead…

The 29-year-old Spanish actress, dancer and model will star in the thriller Just Play Dead.

Pedraza, who gained international recognition for her roles in the series Money Heist and Elite, will star opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green in the film.

Just Play Dead will be directed by Gary Fleder and is written by Dan Gordon.

The synopsis reads: “When wealthy criminal mastermind Jack Wolfe (Samuel L. Jackson) is cornered by the Feds, he plans to fake his own death and claim the $30 million life insurance payout with his “grieving” wife Nora (Eva Green), while framing her surfer lover Chad for his murder. But Nora is cooking up a scheme of her own: kill Jack for real, frame Chad and keep the fortune for herself. As lies unravel, Nora and Jack scramble to outsmart one another, leaving one burning question: who will come out on top in this twisted game of life and death?”

The film is a European co-production spearheaded by Head Gear Films’ Phil Hunt who produces alongside Gemstone Films’ Valentin Dimitrov, Sagiv Diamant, Moshe Diamant and Gaby Whyte Hart, who also serves as the casting director.

Production is set to begin this fall in the Canary Islands.

“Working with such incredible talents as Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green is truly an honor. Eva Green will deliver a captivating performance as the cunning and seductive wife to Samuel L. Jackson’s powerful kingpin in this intoxicating thriller,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.

“Dan Gordon has crafted a complex tale of lies, deceit and betrayal and Gary Fleder is the ideal director to bring this enticing and suspenseful project to life, which is already attracting buyers worldwide,” added Highland Film Group COO Delphine Perrier.

“I’ve always been drawn to stories that defy categorization, that live somewhere between genres and challenge audiences to stay on their toes. With Just Play Dead, written by the immensely talented Dan Gordon, and starring Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Green, I have the chance to return to that same rich, unpredictable territory. This film is provocative, sexy, and original—a perfect mix of clever storytelling and thrilling twists,” commented director Gary Fleder.

Pedraza appears in the music video for the 2023 Myke Towers song, “Lala“.

Pedro Pascal to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Show

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Pedro Pascal is headed to the Oscars…

The 47-year-old Chilean actor appears on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ final list of names chosen as presenters for the 95th annual Academy Awards.

In addition to Pascal, the latest round of stars set to present includes Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Paul Dano, Cara Delevingne, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Olsen and John Travolta, executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner and executive producer Molly McNearney have announced.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, at Ovation’s Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Previously announced Oscars presenters include Riz Ahmed, Halle Bailey, Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Florence Pugh, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Donnie Yen.

Antonio Banderas to Serve as Presenter During Academy Awards Show

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Antonio Banderas is headed to the Oscars…

The 62-year-old Spanish actor and director has been added to the presenter ranks for this weekend’s Academy Awards show by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS).

Banderas is among a list of recently added presenters that includes Halle Bailey, Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman, Florence Pugh and Sigourney Weaver.

They join the previously announced Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña and Donnie Yen.

More presenters will be revealed during the week.

The latest adds to Hollywood’s Big Night come just as Oscar voting is set to end, with ballots due at 5 p.m. PT tonight.

The months-long awards season culminates with the 95th annual Academy Awards, which will be handed out Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

ABC will air the ceremony live coast-to-coast starting at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET, along with more than 200 countries around the world.

Ariana DeBose to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Show

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is returning to the Oscars stage…

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer, who made Oscar history with her Best Supporting Actress win last year, will be a presenter at this year’s Academy Awards show.

No doubt DeBose will present the award for Best Supporting Actor per long standing Academy tradition.

The announcement comes on the heels of DeBose’s much talked about rap tribute to BAFTA’s actress nominees at the BAFTA awards ceremony.

CODA Best Supporting Actor winner Troy Kotsur will also return to the Dolby Theatre, this time as a presenter.

Last year’s Live Action Short Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, eight-time nominee Glenn Close, Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly, past Honorary Oscar recipient Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Creed III’s Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Oscar winner Questlove, Zoe Saldaña and Donnie Yen will all be onstage at the Oscars.

Final Oscar balloting is underway. The 9,579 eligible Academy voters are now going to make their choices, and they have only until March 7 at 5:00 pm PT to do so.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on March 12 at 8:00 pm ET/5 pm PT from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

The producers will continue to announce talent joining the show leading up to the ceremony. They already have been rolling out talent taking part in performances of songs up in the Original Song category.

Salma Hayek to Co-Chair Kering Foundation’s First-Ever ‘Caring for Women Dinner’

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Caring moment for Salma Hayek Pinault.

The 55-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated actress will co-chair the Kering Foundation’s first-ever Caring for Women Dinner, which aims to raise funds for organizations that work to support those affected by gender-based violence.

The dinner will take place on September 15 in New York City and will be hosted by Anderson Cooper.

In addition to Hayek, the event will also be co-chaired by her husband François-Henri Pinault, Gisele Bündchen, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Julie Mehretu and Gloria Steinem.

All proceeds from the event will benefit three Kering Foundation partner organizations: the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), Ms. Foundation For Women and Global Fund For Women.

“Kering and its Houses stand in active opposition to all forms of violence against women and, now more than ever, the Kering Foundation is resolute in its mission to create a world where women can live freely in physical and psychological safety,” François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering as well as chairman of the Kering Foundation, said in a statement. “The Caring for Women Dinner represents a milestone in our 14-year history of partnering with front-line organizations that support women survivors to escape violence and rebuild their lives.”

The NNEDV is a leading voice for domestic violence victims and their advocates in the US, representing a network of 56 state and territorial coalitions that inform and support survivors of domestic violence. Funds raised at the dinner will support the WomensLaw Email Hotline and WomensLaw.org, two resources that help provide free legal information to survivors and inform millions of people on topics such as restraining orders, custody, divorce, immigration and gun laws.

The Ms. Foundation for Women invests in and strengthens the capacity of women-led grassroots organizations, advancing meaningful social, cultural and economic change for the lives of women. Funds raised will support the Girls of Color Initiative, which provides grantmaking, leadership development and capacity building to girls of color living under multiple systems of oppression and inequalities in the U.S.

Finally, the Global Fund for Women shifts resources and power toward women, girls, and all marginalized people worldwide.

The dinner from Kering will support the Global Fund for Women Crisis Fund, which works directly with local feminist groups to address immediate needs like food, shelter and security.

More information about the dinner — including co-hosts, expected attendees, performances and other details — will be announced in the coming weeks.

J. Anthony Pena Upped to Series Regular on ABC’s “Big Sky”

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

There are more big (sky) moments in J. Anthony Pena’s future…

The Latino actor has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming third season of ABC’s Big Sky.

Pena, who portrays Deputy Mo Poppernak, heavily recurred as the character in Season 2.

Additionally, Luke Mitchell, Seth Gabel, Henry Ian Cusick, Anirudh Pisharody and Madalyn Horcher have joined the cast in recurring roles.

Pena’s Poppernak is Jenny Hoyt’s (Katheryn Winnick) chatty, upbeat partner at the Sheriff’s Department and an indispensable right-hand man. He appeared in 16 episodes last season.

In Big Sky Season 3, private detective Cassie Dewell (Kylie Bunbury), under sheriff Jenny Hoyt, and newly appointed sheriff Beau Arlen (Jensen Ackles) maintain order in Helena, Montana. But when a local backcountry trip led by charismatic outfitter Sunny Barnes (fka Sunny Brick) (Reba McEntire) goes awry, the trio face their most formidable mystery yet.

Big Sky is produced by Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television for ABC. David E. Kelley serves as the series creator.

Season 3 premieres on September 21 on ABC.

Pena previously recurred on FX’s Mayans M.C. and Crackle’s The Oath. Recently, he guest starred on CBS’ S.W.A.T., and Apple TV+’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey with Samuel L. Jackson.

Ariana DeBose to Star in Apple Original Films’ Actioner “Argylle”

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

The spies have it for Ariana DeBose…

The 30-year-old half-Afro-Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer has joined the cast of Argylle, an action film from Apple Original Films and Matthew Vaughn’s Marv Studios.

The film is currently in production in Europe.

DeBose, a Tony Award nominee, joins a cast that includes Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena, Samuel L. Jackson, and Grammy winner Dua Lipa, who is making her big screen debut.

The film—setting up a new franchise for Vaughn—follows the world’s greatest spy, Argylle, as he is caught up in a globetrotting adventure, which takes him from America to London and beyond.

It’s based on Elly Conway’s upcoming spy novel of the same name, which is set for publication via Transworld Publishers Ltd, a division of Penguin Random House, next year.

Vaughn is directing Argylle from a script by Jason Fuchs. Dua Lipa will also pen the film’s original title track and score.

“We have assembled an absolutely stellar cast to inhabit each of the wonderfully original and captivating characters in this thrill ride of a story,” said Vaughn. “We’re so excited that production is now off and running, bringing us closer to sharing this epic action spectacle with audiences around the world.”

DeBose earned her Tony nomination in 2018 for her turn as Donna Summer in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. She also featured in the original cast of Hamilton, along with other Broadway titles including Bring It On: The Musical and Pippin.

She will next be seen portraying Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, and can currently be seen in Apple’s musical comedy series Schmigadoon!.

Ashanti to Star In & Produce the Rom-Com “The Plus One”

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ashanti won’t be going it alone…

The 40-year-old half-Afro-Dominican singer/actress has signed on to star in and produce the romantic comedy The Plus One.

Ashanti will play Lizzie, whose only request of her “Male of Honor” Marshall is that he doesn’t bring his hated ex Marie to her destination wedding. But lovesick Marshall brings her as his plus one, and Marie does everything in her power to wreck Lizzie’s big day.

Filming is scheduled to start in December in Florida.

The film’s director and additional cast members have yet to be revealed.

Ashanti most recently starred in the Sony Pictures Worldwide acquisition Honey Girls, which wrapped in March.

Her movie credits to date include Coach Carter with Samuel L. Jackson, The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz, John Tucker Must Die and Resident Evil: Extinction.

The singer, who has sold more than 27 million records worldwide, will be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022.

Salma Hayek Shows Off Her Britney Spears-Inspired Dance Moves in New Instagram Video

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek’s got the moves like… Britney.

The 54-year-old Mexican singer’s go-to soundtrack for shooting at trained killers in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard trailer… Britney Spears’ “...Baby One More Time.”

And now she’s taking her butt-kickin’ moves to the dance floor in her latest Instagram video.

Hayek is promoting her upcoming action-comedy film — also starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson — with a revised dance routine to Spears’ 1999 No. 1 smash that combines the original choreography from the music video with some stealthy defense techniques.

“Show me your #hitmanschallenge baby! Muéstrame tu mejor #hitmanschallenge baby! I’ll be watching…,” she captioned the choreographed clip with hair-flipping galore and a spin on the pop superstar’s leg kick that left Hayek and her crew on the floor.

Naomi Campbell and Jennifer Aniston applauded Hayek on Instagram, while Sabrina Carpenter commented, “omg queen.”

The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, the delayed sequel to 2017’s The Hitman’s Bodyguard, follows bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds) once again meeting up with assassin Darius Kincaid (Jackson) as they embark on a new adventure to save Darius’ wife, Sonia (Hayek), from new threats.

But before it hits theaters next Wednesday, June 16, see Hayek’s latest killer moves below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek)

Lionsgate Releases Trailer for Salma Hayek-Starrer “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard”

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek isn’t letting down her (body) guard…

Lionsgate has released the trailer for The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, the action comedy starring the 54-year-old Mexican actress.

The film sees to return of Hayek, Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, director Patrick Hugues and screenwriter Tom O’Conner for a second go-round after 2017’s successful The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

Like others films delayed by the pandemic, it will now open in U.S. theaters on June 16.

The Lionsgate and Millennium Media sequel picks up after the events of the first movie and finds bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds) trying to recover from those events and recharge — call it a psychological sabbatical. But he literally is pulled back into action by his old friend/foe Darius’ (Jackson) even more volatile wife, the infamous international con artist Sonia Kincaid (Hayek), who needs Bryce’s help saving her husband. They get in over their heads in a global plot and soon find that they are all that stand between Europe and a vengeful madman (Antonio Banderas).

Morgan Freeman, Frank Grillo, Caroline Goodall, Rebecca Front, Gabriella Wright, Alice McMillan, Kristofer Kamiyasu, Tom Hopper, Blake Ritson and Richard E. Grant also star in the film, penned by O’Conner and Phillip Murphy & Brandon Murphy.

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