Shakira Announces First-Ever Manuel Turizo-Collaboration “Copa Vacía,” Coming Out June 29

Shakira is dealing with an empty glass…

The 46-year-old Colombian superstar has joined voices with Manuel Turizo for the single “Copa Vacía,” which will be released on June 29.

Shakira“We made a movie,” the Colombian artists teased on social media of their first song together, sharing a poster that looks straight out of a movie with Shakira taking the role of a mermaid and Turizo as the prince.

The first time Shakira hinted at a new song was June 9, when she posted a photo of herself as a mermaid with the cryptic caption, “You want thingamabobs? I got twenty…,” a lyric from The Little Mermaid‘s “Part of Your World.”

But she didn’t offer anymore details, leaving fans wondering what she was up to.

Now, they know to expect a new song with “La Bachata” singer and a music video that promises to be a cinematic experience.

“Copa Vacía” will follow Shakira’s sweet song “Acróstico,” which is a love letter to her children.

The “Acróstico” music video, which dropped in May, features her two sons — Milan and Sasha — who sing and play the piano alongside her.

“This year Milan has written songs that have made me tear up and Sasha has dedicated hours playing the piano and discovering his voice,” Shakira wrote in Spanish on social media when the video dropped. “Both have spent some time with me in the studio and upon hearing this song, they’ve asked to be part of it. They’ve felt it and interpreted it in their own way and for themselves, with the same passion and emotion of a person who carries music within them.”

In May, Shakira was also honored at the inaugural Billboard Latin Women in Music gala as Woman of the Year, where she gave an emotional speech in which she acknowledged the hard times she’s been through, and thanked her mother, her friends and women in general.

Javier Bardem Joins Voice Cast of Animated Film “Spellbound”

Javier Bardem is officially feelin’ the magic…

The 53-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor has joined the voice cast of the animated film Spellbound.

Javier BardemLed by West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler, the recently expanded voice cast also includes Bardem’s Being the Ricardos co-star Nicole Kidman, John LithgowNathan LaneJenifer LewisAndré De Shields and Jordan Fisher.

The upcoming musical from Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation will have Kidman voicing Ellsmere, the kind and just, yet hyper-precise Queen of Lumbria, with Bardem as Lumbria’s boastful yet big-hearted King, Solon. Together, they are the parents of Princess Ellian (Zegler), who they join on her daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms them into monsters and threatens to cover Lumbria in darkness forever.

Lithgow and Lewis will voice Princess Ellian’s royal advisors, Minister Bolinar and Minister Nazara Prone, with Lane and De Shields as The Oracles of the Sun and Moon that Ellian seeks out to break the spell on her parents and the kingdom.

Additional characters aiding Ellian throughout her journey include the young nomad Callan, voiced by Fisher.

Academy Award winner Alan Menken is providing the film’s original score and songs, with song lyrics by Glenn Slater. Chris Montan is serving as executive music producer.

Bardem, who landed his fourth nom for his portrayal of Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos, recently appeared in Dune and Fernando León de Aranoa’s comedy The Good Boss.

His upcoming projects include Columbia Pictures’ adaptation of the children’s book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, Rob Marshall’s The Little Mermaid and Dune: Part Two.

Javier Bardem to Star in Sony Pictures’ Film Adaptation of the Popular Children’s Book “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile”

Javier Bardem is getting animated…

The 52-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor will star in Will Speck and Josh Gordon’s Lyle, Lyle Crocodile for Sony Pictures.

Javier Bardem

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Oscar-winning songwriting team behind the music of La La Land and upcoming Dear Evan Hansen film, will reportedly write original songs for the film.

Speck and Gordon will direct with the script, based on the best-selling children’s book by Bernard Waber, being adapted by Will Davies.

Lyle Lyle Crocodile

First published in 1965, the venerable children’s tale centers on the title reptile, who lives in a house on East 88th Street in New York City. Lyle enjoys helping the Primm family with everyday chores, and playing with the neighborhood kids. He’s the happiest crocodile any home ever had…until one neighbor insists that Lyle belongs in a zoo. Mr. Grumps and his cat, Loretta, don’t like crocodiles, and everything Lyle does to win them over seems to go wrong. It will take all of Lyle’s charm—and courage—to reveal the hero, and friend, behind the big crocodile smile.

The film will debut on July 22, 2022.

For an actor known more for his adult roles like Biutiful and his Oscar-winning work in No Country For Old Menthe film marks his rare trek into the family-friendly genre.

But sources say Waber’s original story was very appealing to Bardem from the moment he was offered the part.

This isn’t his first dive into material meant for all ages. He’s previously played the villain in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and will play King Triton in Disney’s live action adaptation of its acclaimed animated film The Little Mermaid.

When it comes to adult roles, Bardem’s upcoming slate includes Legendary’s DuneFernando León de Aranoa’s The Good Boss (El Buen Patron) and Aaron Sorkin’s Being The Ricardoswhere he plays Desi Arnaz, opposite Nicole Kidman’s Lucille Ball.

Rachel Zegler to Star as Snow White in Disney’s Live-Action Adaptation of the Classic Animated Film

Rachel Zegler’s royal coronation is around the corner…

The 20-year-old half-Colombian American actress and singer will star as Snow White in Disney’s live-action adaptation of the classic film that started it all for the studio’s legendary slate of animated features.

Rachel Zegler,

Marc Webb will direct the film, with Marc Platt producing. Production is expected to begin in 2022.

“Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts,” said Webb of the actress who will star as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s new retelling of West Side Story. “Her strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale.”

The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs cartoon, based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, was released in 1938.

It was Disney’s inaugural animated feature and became a massive success for the studio.

Insiders say the live-action film will expand upon the story and music from the original. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Oscar– and Tony Award-winning duo behind La La LandThe Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen, will write new songs for the film.

The studio had been taking its time on the live-action adaptation because they wanted to get the music right, and insiders says higher-ups are excited with what Pasek and Paul have come up with so far.

As for the casting process, Webb and studio execs had been meeting with talent for several months for the role of Snow White. Zegler’s auditions impressed everyone, insiders say, but another factor was footage from West Side Story that blew away the Disney studio brass who’ve seen it, and helped push the decision across the finish line.

The casting also marks a step in the right direction of Disney diversifying its Disney Princess characters, after tapping Halle Bailey to play Ariel in the upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid film.

Zegler was just 17 when she beat out more than 30,000 actresses for the lead role of Maria in West Side Story. The new adaptation will debut on December 10 and also stars Ansel Elgort and Rita Moreno.

She’ll also star in her first big comic-book film, joining Zachary Levi in D.C.’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Disney Bringing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hit Broadway Musical “Hamilton” to the Big Screen

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadwayhit is heading to the big screen. 

Disney will release a feature film of the original Tony Award-winning stage musical Hamilton, created by the 40-year-old Puerto Rican composer/lyricist, actor and creator, in the U.S. and Canada on October 15, 2021.

Hamilton

The studio is teaming with Miranda, Jeffrey Sellerand Thomas Kail on the project, which is billed as a “leap forward in the art of ‘live capture.’” It explains the live capture method as “combining the best elements of live theater and film,” resulting in “a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton.”

Producers for this version of Hamilton include Miranda, Seller and Kail, who also directs. 

The film was shot in June 2016 at the Richard Rodgers Theatreand reports began circulatingin 2018 that bidders were circling the film version of the stage production. Studios had to pledge not to release it until at least 2020.

The original Broadway cast of the record-smashing show will appear in the new film. Cast members include Miranda as Alexander HamiltonDaveed Diggsas Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas JeffersonRenée Elise Goldsberryas Angelica Schuyler; and Leslie Odom, Jr.as Aaron Burr. Also due to star are Christopher Jacksonas George WashingtonJonathan Groffas King GeorgePhillipa Sooas Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria ReynoldsOkieriete Onaodowanas Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramosas John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.

“Lin-Manuel Miranda created an unforgettable theater experience and a true cultural phenomenon, and it was for good reason that Hamiltonwas hailed as an astonishing work of art. All who saw it with the original cast will never forget that singular experience,” Disney CEO Bob Igersaid. “And we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to share this same Broadway experience with millions of people around the world.”

Miranda, who starred in an update of Mary Poppinsin 2018, affirmed his connection with Disney. “I fell in love with musical storytelling growing up with the legendary Howard AshmanAlan MenkenDisney collaborations – The Little MermaidBeauty and The BeastAladdin,” he said. “I’m so proud of what Tommy Kail has been able to capture in this filmed version of Hamilton – a live theatrical experience that feels just as immediate in your local movie theater. We’re excited to partner with Disney to bring the original Broadway company of Hamilton to the largest audience possible.”

Kail added, “We are thrilled for fans of the show, and new audiences across the world, to experience what it was like on stage – and in the audience – when we shot this. … We wanted to give everyone the same seat, which is what this film can provide.”

According to sources, Disney beat out other suitors and paid $75 million for worldwide rights to the show that won 11 Tony Awards in 2016, as well as the Pulitzer Prizefor Drama. Disney won the deal with a commitment for a wide global theatrical release for the 2 hour, 40 minute movie, which was shot two weeks before the original cast left.

Auli’i Cravalho Delivers Sea-Sational Performance of “Part of Your World” during ABC’s “The Little Mermaid Live!”

Auli’i Cravalho has delivered a memorable under the sea adventures

ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live! premiered on Wednesday with the 18-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer in the title role as Ariel.

Auli'i Cravalho

During the broadcast, the Moana star donned the Disney princess’s famous purple seashells and mermaid tail to deliver a technologically wonderous performance of “Part of Your World.” 

“What would I give if I could live out of these waters?/ What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?/ Betcha on land, they understand/ Bet they don’t reprimand their daughters/ Bright young women/ Sick of swimmin’/ Ready to stand,” Cravalho sang as she soared across the sea — with the help of an intricate, on-stage fly system. 

For the rest of the number, she swam around the stage to audience cheers below before settling back onto the rock for the song’s hopeful closing moments.

The Little Mermaid Live! also starred Queen Latifah as Ursula, Graham Phillips as Prince Eric, Shaggy as Sebastian and John Stamos as Chef Louis.

Auli’i Cravalho to Star in ABC’s Live “The Little Mermaid” Special

Auli’i Cravalho is heading under the sea

The 18-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer is set to star as Ariel in ABC’s The Little Mermaid live special.

Auli’i Cravalho

In addition to Cravalho, who rose to acclaim as the voice of the title character in Disney’s Moana, the special will also star Queen Latifah as Ursula and Shaggy as Sebastian. 

The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live!, featuring a mix of live action, animation and puppetry, will air on November 5 to mark the classic Disney animated feature’s 30th anniversary.

ABC originally announced in May 2017that it would stage a live production of the beloved underwater tale under the long-dormant Wonderful World of Disneybanner, which was slated for October 3, 2017. In August of that year, the network announced that the live event had been put on hold.

Since joining ABC last December as President of Entertainment, Karey Burke has expressed strong support for live specials. Her commitment was likely reaffirmed in May after the success of Jimmy Kimmel’s live staging of two classic Norman Lear sitcoms on the network, which spawned two more installments.

Burke today said that if The Little Mermaid is a success, it too can lead to do more live musicals based on Disneyfilm titles on ABC. “If it works, I expect we will do more of them and we will work closely with the feature department about timing,” she said.

Billed as a tribute to the original animated classic and its music, The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! will feature live musical performances by its star-studded cast interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film. 

The hybrid format will combine intricate sets and costumes created for the special with music from the original animated film and the Tony Award-winningBroadway stage version, composed by eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken

Howard Ashman’s film lyrics will also be showcased, with Glenn Slater, lyricist for the Broadway adaptation, as a contributor.

Cravalho is already in the extended Disney Princessesfamily having voiced Moana in the hit animated movie. 

Following her breakout role in Moana, Cravalho performed the film’s anthem, How Far I’ll Go, at the Oscarsand starred in the NBCmusical drama series Rise. It was just announced that she is the lead of the Brett Haley Netflixfilm Sorta Like a Rock Star

The announcement of The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! going forward comes as Disney is gearing up for production of a live-action feature adaptation of The Little Mermaid for director Rob MarshallHamilton‘s Lin-Manuel Miranda and Menken. Halle Bailey has been set as Ariel in the movie, Awkwafina as Ariel’s seagull friend Scuttle, and Jacob Tremblay as Ariel’s friendly fish pal Flounder, while Melissa McCarthy has been rumored for the role of UIrsula and Harry Stylesfor Prince Eric.

Burke is not worried about ABC’s live Little Mermaid special and the upcoming movie cannibalizing each other. “Ours is distinctly different from the feature film,” she said.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Star in Netflix’s Series “Sweet Magnolias”

It’s a sweetday for JoAnna Garcia Swisher.

The 39-year-old half-Cuban American actress is set to lead the cast Netflix’s upcoming series Sweet Magnolias. She replaces Monica Potter who had been originally tapped for the series.

Joanna Garcia Swisher

Sweet Magnolias, based on Sherryl Woods’ popular series of novels published by Harlequin imprint MIRA books, is set in the charming small town of Serenity, South Carolina. It centers on three women, played by Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley, best friends since childhood.

Swisher will play Maddie Townsend, a low-key but resolute, warm and loving woman with a vocabulary like Southern poetry. She finds herself at a crossroads in her life and her best friends are trying desperately to convince her that now is the time for reinvention.

Woods executive produce with Sheryl J. Anderson, who also serves as showrunner. 

Norman Buckley serves as co-executive producer and will direct six episodes of the series, which is currently filming.

Swisher is known for her starring roles in Kevin (Probably) Save the World and The Astronaut Wives Club, and recurring as Ariel on ABC’s Once Upon A Time

Javier Bardem In Talks to Star in Disney’s Live-Action “The Little Mermaid” Remake

Javier Bardem could be heading under the sea

The 50-year-old Spanish Academy Award-winning actor is in talks to star in Disney‘s live-action remake of its animated classic, The Little Mermaid. 

Javier Bardem

He’s circling the role of King Triton, father of Ariel, who is being portrayed by Halle Bailey.

Rob Marshal lis directing the live-action/CGI feature from a script by David Magee.

One Direction’s Harry Styles is reportedly being considered for the role of Prince Eric. Previously announced cast members include Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.

Marc Platt, Marshall, Lin-Manuel Miranda and John DeLuca are producing the film for Disney. 

The original film’s composer Alan Menkenis back to write new music and will craft the lyrics with Miranda.

Bardem, who picked up a Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 2007 Coen Brothers film No Country for Old Me, will co-star in Dune, the Denis Villeneuve-directed film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s bestselling novel, which is set up at Legendary.

Joanna Garcia Returning for Series Finale of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” 

Joanna Garcia is swimming back to ABC

ABC has announced on the Once Upon a Time Facebook page that several actors are returning for the series’ penultimate episode 721 and the series finale, including the 38-year-old Cuban American actress.

Joanna Garcia as Ariel

Garcia will return to portray The Little Mermaid’s Ariel. She first appeared as the iconic Disney Princess in Season 3, and she last appeared in Season 6.

Other cast members scheduled to return include Tony Amendola (Marco), Lee Arenberg (Leroy), Robbie Kay (Peter Pan), Sean Maguire (Robin Hood), Victoria Smurfit (Cruella De Vil) and Keegan Tracy (Mother Superior).

It was already been announced that Bev Elliott (Granny Lucas) and Jared Gilmore (Henry Mills) are returning.

At a recent screening of their midseason premiere, co-creator Edward Kitsis promised that in the series finale “We’ll see many familiar faces to the end.”

At the time Kitsis and Adam Horowitz weren’t ready to confirm the rumor that’s been out there about Jennifer Morrison coming back one last time, or departing Once Upon a Time company players Gennifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, and Emilie de Ravin.

No hints on the series finale yet, though Kitsis said it’s  “less about tying everything up in a bow, rather hearing the song one more time.”