Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias Lending Voice to Animated Caveman Comedy “Rock Bottom”

Posted on February 17, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias has hit rock bottom…

The 47-year-old Mexican American stand-up comedian and actor is lending his voice to the animated caveman comedy Rock Bottom.

Iglesias will lead the voice cast alongside Rob Schneider.

Australia’s Odin’s Eye Animation (OEA) has boarded sales on the project, the latest production from Mexican animation powerhouse Huevocartoon Studios.

Iglesias’ many animation voice credits include The Nut Job and The Book of Life.

Rock Bottom is a co-production with Dario Sanchez’s 3DoublesProductions, the Spanish studio based in Tenerife known for its work on 100% Wolf, Inspector Sun and upcoming film SuperKlaus.

OEA has acquired worldwide rights to the film excluding Latin America, which will be handled by Videocine; Televisa/Univision) and Spain (3 Doubles Productions).

As per the synopsis, Rock Bottom follows the story of Gungo, an overconfident heir to the chieftain’s throne. After his banishment, he finds himself leading a motley crew of outcasts to reclaim his rightful place and guide his tribe toward a prosperous future, learning lessons about unity, resilience, and the true meaning of strength along the way.

The film is co-directed, co-written and co-produced by HuevoCartoons fraternal co-founders Rodolfo Riva Palacio and Gabriel Riva Palacio.

“Rock Bottom will be an exhilarating ride into a prehistoric world,” they said. “This film isn’t just about laughs; it’s about challenging our perceptions of individuality, self-worth, and what is the glue that makes a community thrive.”

Odin’s Eye Animation CEO Michael Favelle added: “It’s not just a film; it’s an invitation to explore the roots of our humanity with laughter, empathy, and perhaps a little bit of prehistoric wisdom.”

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias to Produce & Lead the Cast of Netflix’s Animated Feature “I, Chihuahua”

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is luchando…

The 45-year-old Mexican American stand-up comedian and actor will produce and lead the voice cast of Netflix’s animated feature I, Chihuahua.

The project will be Maya and the Three creator Jorge Gutiérrez’s first animated feature for Netflix.

Written by Gutiérrez, Doug Landale and Candie Kelty Langdale, I, Chihuahua is billed as the ultimate underdog tale of Chacho, a scrappy masked Luchador Chihuahua, who embarks on a hilarious and action-packed journey around the world to fight for his family. After learning his beloved home is in danger, Chacho dons a Lucha Libre mask to become Luchacho. Our masked underdog then enters an international fight tournament, competing against a hilarious and eclectic mix of animal fighters from all over the world, in the lead-up to a final, epic fight against the nefarious beast known as Chamuco, The Widow Maker. Iglesias will produce alongside Tim Yoon.

“I cannot wait for everyone to see this wonderful film that celebrates underdogs in and out of the ring! It has action, drama, laughs and twists & turns, like any great Lucha storyline movie should have,” said Iglesias. “When I first had the idea of a Lucha Libre cartoon, there was no one else I wanted to partner with other than Jorge Gutierrez. He has a brilliant mind that can expand this story in unimaginable ways.”

“After The Book of Life and the amazing experience on Maya and the Three, I’m now thrilled to collaborate with [VP Animated Films] Melissa [Cobb], [VP Animated Films] Gregg [Taylor], [Director of Animated Films] Tito [Ortiz] and all my friends at Netflix Animation on my follow up animated feature: I, Chihuahua! And to finally tag team a movie with my good friend and creative partner Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is a dream come true!” added Gutiérrez. “Our internationally epic and heartfelt film will be a hilarious love letter to Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) movies, fighting video games and underdog sports films. I don’t want to overpromise, but this will be the greatest masked Chihuahua film ever made! What a time to be alive!”

Iglesias is one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians, performing to sold-out concerts around the world, and is also one of the most watched comedians on YouTube, with almost a billion views and more than 25 million fans across social media.

He is currently on his Gabriel “Fluffy” Back On Tour and will make history from May 6-7, as he’s the first comedian to perform at Dodger Stadium.

Iglesias previously collaborated with Gutiérrez as part of the cast of both The Book of Life and Maya and the Three and has also featured in such series as Disney+’s Monsters at Work and ABC’s Cristela, while leading his own Netflix sitcom, Mr. Iglesias.

He has also lent his voice to animated (or partially animated) films including Space Jam: A New Legacy, UglyDolls, Ferdinand, The Star, Coco, The Nut Job and The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, Smurfs: The Lost Village and Norm of the North. Additional film credits include Magic Mike, Magic Mike XXL and A Haunted House 2.

Gutiérrez is an Emmy– and Annie Award-winning animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director whose Mesoamerican fantasy series Maya and the Three debuted on Netflix last year. That series won two Annie Awards upon its premiere, including the prize for Best Children’s TV/Media, with Gutiérrez moving to expand his relationship with the streamer, in writing, directing and producing new animated films, series and interactive projects across preschool, kids & family and adult animation.

Born in Mexico City and raised in Tijuana, the CalArts graduate has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. He was the director and co-writer of the Guillermo del Toro-produced animated feature The Book of Life for Fox, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe nomination, and was also the writer-director behind the Emmy-nominated VR short Son of Jaguar for Google. Gutiérrez also created the multiple Emmy Award–winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera for Nickelodeon, alongside his wife, Sandra Equihua.

Warner Bros. Animation Releases First Trailer for Diego Luna’s Animated Film “DC League of Super-Pets”

Posted on November 24, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a super time for Diego Luna.

Warner Bros. Animation has released the first official trailer for its upcoming DC League of Super-Pets, starring the 41-year-old Mexican actor/director/producer.

Produced by and starring Dwayne Johnson, the film finds one (Super)man’s best friend his only hope. After Superman (John Krasinski) is sidelined by Lex Luthor, the Man of Steel’s faithful companion, Krypto, sets out to save the day.

While Superman has Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League at his side, Krypto has only “a bunch of shelter pets” who, luckily, have been imbued with superpowers.

Johnson plays Krypto, while his ragtag band is made up of Ace (Kevin Hart), a hound who has super strength; PB (Vanessa Bayer), a pig named who can grow to a massive-size instantly; Merton (Natasha Lyonne) a turtle with super speed; and Chip (Luna), a squirrel who can shoot electricity from his tiny fingertips.

“My best friend is in trouble and you have to help me,” says Krypto, rallying the troops. What follows is an adventure full of challenges, surprises and potty humor.

The project reps Johnson’s second with DC after the New Line/DC movie Black Adam, in which he plays the title character, with his Seven Bucks producing.

DC League Of Super-Pets marks the Johnson’s third theatrically-released animated film, after Planet 51 and Moana.

Luna has previously been part of the voice cast of The Book of Life and Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans.

Diego Luna to Receive 2021 Platino Award of Honor

Posted on September 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Luna is being celebrated for his platinum career.

This year’s seventh edition of the Ibero-American Platino Awards (Premios Platinos) will honor the 41-year-old Mexican actor, director, producer and festival organizer with the Platino Award of Honor.

An itinerant award show by design, this year’s Platinos will be held on October 3 in Madrid.

Luna will be the youngest recipient of the career achievement honor, joining previous winners Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez, often simply referred to as Raphael, one of Spain’s most iconic entertainers of the 20th century; Adriana Barraza, the Oscar nominated Spanish-English-language crossover star of Alejandro Iñárritu’s Babel and Amores Perros; Oscar and three time Primetime Emmy nominee Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver); Oscar nominee Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory); and Primetime Emmy (The Burning Season) and BAFTA (“Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos) nominee Sonia Braga.

A child actor who excelled from an early age, Luna’s first film appearance was in Javier Bourges’ 1991 Mexican Academy Award-nominated short The Last New Year.” He appeared in several telenovelas throughout the ‘90s, joined on screen for the first time by his longtime collaborator and close friend Gael García Bernal in El abuelo y yo in 1992. Alternating between film and television over the next decade, his international breakout came with García Bernal and Spain’s Marbel Verdú in Alfonso Cuarón’s seminal coming-of-age road trip film “Y Tu Mamá También.”

Shortly after, Luna began his Hollywood career appearing alongside Bon Jovi in John Carpenter’s Vampires: Los Muertos and in Salma Hayek’s Oscar-winning biopic Frida.

In the decades since, Luna has continued to work on both Latin American and U.S. productions while also taking turns as a producer, writer and director. He also, again with García Bernal, launched the nomadic documentary film festival Ambulante, as well as their own production label, first Canana in 2005 and now La Corriente del Golfo.

Most recently, he created and hosts the Amazon Original conversation series Pan y Circo and is starring in the Disney+’s Andor, a spinoff series following his Rogue One: A Star Wars Story character Cassian Andor.

He was also recently confirmed as a voice actor for Netflix’s upcoming animated series Maya and the Three, where he will team with frequent collaborator Jorge Gutierrez (The Book of Life).

Last year’s ceremony was, like so many, forced online by the COVID-19 pandemic. But this time around, the Platinos are planning an in-person event to celebrate the best offerings from the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American screen industries.

At 11 nominations each, the two standout titles are Fernando Trueba’s Colombian drama Memories of My Father and Jayro Bustamante’s Guatemalan thriller La Llorona.

The Platino Awards are promoted by EGEDA (Spain’s Entity for the Rights Management of Audiovisual Producers) and FIPCA (the Ibero-American Federation of Film and Audiovisual Producers) and have the support of the Ibero-American film academies and institutes as well as numerous sponsors in Europe and Latin America.

Jorge Gutierrez Signs Overall Deal with Netflix

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Gutierrez has more Netflix projects in his future…

The 45-year-old Mexican animator/writer/director has signed an overall deal with the streaming giant for original content.

Under the pact, the Emmy-winning talent will write, direct, and produce new animated films, series and interactive projects across preschool, kids & family and adult animation via his Mexopolis production company.

Gutierrez is the creator, writer and director of the upcoming Netflix animated limited series Maya and the Three, a Mesoamerican fantasy epic set to premiere globally in 2021. Set in a mythical Mesoamerican inspired world, in Maya and the Three, a warrior princess embarks on a quest to recruit three legendary fighters to help save the world of men and gods.

Gutierrez is the director and co-writer of the Guillermo Del Toro produced animated feature The Book of Life for Fox, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Animated feature film. He’s also the writer and director of the Emmy-nominated Son of Jaguar VR short for Google.

Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Annie and Emmy–winning animated television series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera for Nickelodeon. Born in Mexico City and raised in Tijuana, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, illustrations, and paintings exploring his love with Mexican pop and folk culture.

“Jorge was one of the first creators to join Netflix Animation and has been an incredible partner ever since,” said Melissa Cobb, Vice President of Original Animation, Netflix. “He is committed to authenticity in his work, creating fantastical stories and characters inspired by his culture that are universally resonant and a tireless champion and mentor to the next generation of storytellers. We are honored that he’s chosen Netflix as his home and we can’t wait to share his work with kids and families around the world.”

“Dang! I could not be more thankful to extend my creative love affair with my beloved Netflix!,” said Gutierrez. “Melissa Cobb and the entire Netflix Animation team match my endless passion for diversity and inclusion in front and behind the camera. After all the kindness that has been shown to me, I look forward to mentoring and empowering diverse storytellers from not only North America, but also Central and South America. My mustached heart has a six pack and I can’t wait to create new stories and bold new worlds. What a time to be alive!”

Carlos Alazraqui to Star in Quibi’s “Reno 911” Reboot

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Alazraqui is joining the force…

The 57-year-old Argentine American actor has been cast in Quibi and Comedy Central Productions’ Reno 911 reboot,starring co-creators Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon, and Kerri Kenney-Silver.

Alazraqui portrayed deputy James Garcia on the original Reno 911!, which ran for six seasons on Comedy Central, ending in 2009

In addition to Alazraqui, the new additions include Niecy Nash, Wendi McLendon-Coveyand Cedric Yarbrough. Ian Roberts, Joe LoTruglioand Mary Birdsongwill all be featured.

Reno 911 is an ensemble comedy created by and starring Garant, Kenney-Silver and Lennon, all attached to write and star in the new season.

Reno 911let viewers ride shotgun with the “courageous” men and women of the Reno Sheriff’s Department.

Quibi launches April 6.

Alazraqui is also known for his voice work, including roles in Toy Story3, A Bug’s Lifeand The Book of Life.

Luna Joins Voice Cast of John Legend’s Animated VR Series “Rainbow Crow”

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Luna is chasing the Rainbow…

The 37-year-old Mexican actor has joined the voice cast of Rainbow Crow, the new animated virtual reality series from Baobab Studios that John Legend is producing and toplining.

The first chapter of the series, which is based on a Native American legend, will be unveiled Friday in a world premiere screening at the Tribeca Film Festival.

In the series, carefree forest animals imagine that spring will last forever. However, winter comes and the animals soon realize that their lives are in danger. What they need is a hero: what they need is Rainbow Crow (Legend).

Luna will voice Moth, one of Rainbow Crow’s companions helping him along his journey to save the forest.

“Rainbow Crow is a tale about sacrifice, diversity, and self-acceptance, so we are proud to have an incredibly distinctive cast of talented storytellers who share our values. We can’t wait for audiences to experience what these wonderful actors have created,” said Baobab Studios CEO and founder Maureen Fan.

Baobab co-founder and chief creative officer Eric Darnell, whose credits include writing and directing DreamWorks Animation’s Madacascar franchise and Antz, is directing.

Luna, who starred in the blockbuster Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, previously formed part of the voice cast of Guillermo del Toro’s The Book of Life.

del Toro to Receive Filmmaker Award from Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE)

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo del Toro is getting a reel special honor…

The 52-year-old Mexican filmmaker will receive the 2017 MPSE Filmmaker Award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE).

The organization will celebrate del Toro at the 64th annual Golden Reel Awards on February 19.

“Guillermo del Toro’s relentless imagination and energy provide inspiration to all of us in the entertainment industry,” MPSE president Tom McCarthy said in a statement. “He is constantly surprising, challenging and delighting audiences worldwide. We are extremely proud to recognize his contributions to our industry and culture with our Filmmaker Award.”

del Toro’s directing credits include Hellboy, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, Oscar winner Pan’s Labyrinth and the forthcoming The Shape of Water. Earlier in his career, he worked as a special-effects makeup designer. He also has produced such titles as Biutiful, Kung Fu Panda 2, The Book of Life and Puss in Boots.

“Texturally and narratively, sound and image fuse in the cinematic experience,” said del Toro. “I have spent as much time on the mixing board as I have on a stage, shooting or in a color-correction suite grading the final film. To paraphrase Mark Twain: ‘The difference between the almost right sound and the right sound ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.’ I am thus delighted and honored to receive this award from my colleagues and partners in the storytelling experience.”

Rodriguez to Star Opposite Benicio del Toro in the “Sicario” Sequel, “Soldado”

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Elijah Rodriguez is officially enlisted…

The Latino actor has joined the cast of Soldado, the Sicario sequel starring Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin and Isabela Moner.

Rodriguez, a Hollywood newcomer, will play a pivotal role opposite del Toro as a Mexican-American teenager who is caught up between becoming a sicario in the dangerous world of the drug cartels and his desire to do what is right and not lose his humanity.

Stefano Sollima will direct Soldado from a script written by Taylor Sheridan.

Rodriguez’s previous credit was voicing Young Joaquin in Guillermo del Toro’s The Book of Life.

Sanchez Earns Two World Soundtrack Awards for Composing the Music for “Birdman”

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Antonio Sanchez is flying high…

The 43-year-old Mexican jazz drummer and composer took home two awards on Saturday at the 15th World Soundtrack Awards which served as the finale to the 42nd Film Fest Ghent in Belgium.

Sanchez, a Critics Choice Movie Award winner earlier this year, was named Discovery of the Year 2015 for composing the music for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning film Birdman.

He also picked up the award for Best Original Film Score of the Year for Birdman.

Sanchez’s work also earned him the nomination for 2014 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, a nomination for the 2015 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), and other nominations.

Meanwhile, the honor for the year’s Best Original Song written directly for a movie went to “The Apology Song” from The Book of Life, with music by Gustavo Santaolalla, lyrics by Paul Williams and performed by Diego Luna.

Here’s a look at all the big winners:

Composer of the Year
Michael Giacchino

Original Film Score of the Year
Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) by Antonio Sanchez

Best Original Song Written for a Film
“The Apology Song” from The Book of Life
Music by Gustavo Santaolalla, lyrics by Paul Williams, performed by Diego Luna

Discovery of the Year
Antonio Sanchez for ‘Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)’

Sabam Award for Best Young Composer
Peer Kleinschmidt

Public Choice Award
The Maze Runner by John Paesano

Lifetime Achievement Award
Patrick Doyle

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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