Bleecker Street Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Bobby Cannavale’s Family Dramedy “Ezra”

Bobby Cannavale’s latest project is headed to a U.S. theater near you…

Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. rights to Ezra, the starry family dramedy starring the 53-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor.

Bobby CannavaleHailing from actor-turned-director Tony Goldwyn, the film is coming off of its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto Film Festival.

Starring Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro and newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, the film is slated for release in theaters in 2024.

Also starring Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi GoldbergEzra follows Max Brandel (Cannavale), a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comedian, who struggles through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra (Fitzgerald).

Described by Deadline as “a touching testament to the power of love, acceptance, and the challenges of parenthood,” the film was written by Tony Spiridakis, with William Horberg, Jon Kilik, Goldwyn and Spiridakis producing.

First Look Photo Released of Bobby Cannavale & Robert De Niro Comedy “Inappropriate Behaviour”

It’s an inappropriate time for Bobby Cannavale.

Mister Smith Entertainment has released a first look image of new comedy Inappropriate Behaviour, starring the 52-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor and Robert De Niro.

Bobby Cannavale, Inappropriate Behaviour,Currently in production, the film follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna (played by Cannavale’s real-life partner, Rose Byrne) find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.

Directed by Tony Goldwyn, the film also stars Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg.

Tony Spiridakis wrote the screenplay.

“We are thrilled with the response we’ve seen to this remarkable, heartwarming story from our international partners so far and excited to collaborate with them to bring Inappropriate Behavior to audiences around the world,” says Mister Smith Entertainment’s founder and CEO David Garrett.

Signature Entertainment Acquires UK/Irish Rights to Bobby Cannavale’s Road-Trip Comedy “Inappropriate Behavior”

Bobby Cannavale’s inappropriate project will be headed to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Signature Entertainment has acquired UK and Irish rights to the 52-year-old’s road-trip comedy Inappropriate Behavior from Mister Smith Entertainment.

Bobby CannavaleThe film also stars Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and William Fitzgerald.

Inappropriate Behavior, which is currently in production, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna (played by Cannavale’s real-life partner, Byrne) find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.

The comedy is directed by Tony Goldwyn from a Tony Spiridakis screenplay.

The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s Director of Acquisitions and Development, Elizabeth Williams, and Mister Smith CEO David Garrett.

Signature plan to release the film in 2023.

Williams said: “Inappropriate Behavior completely charmed us when we read the script and we cannot wait to see it brought to life, especially with such a stellar cast. Audiences are going to love the smart comedy and heart-warming moments throughout. We look forward to releasing this feel-good film in the UK & Ireland next year.”

Garrett added: “We are delighted to have Signature as our UK partner on this film. It is a story which combines both heart and humour and has a stellar cast which will bring out the very best from the writing.”

Bobby Cannavale to Star in Tony Goldwyn’s Feature “Inappropriate Behavior”

Bobby Cannavale is cashing in on his behavior

The 52-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor has joined the all-star cast of Tony Goldwyn’s feature Inappropriate Behavior.

Bobby CannavaleCannavale will star alongside Robert De Niro, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and William Fitzgerald in the film.

The film, in which Goldwyn also appears, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a formerly successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, and his brilliant, complicated 11-year-old son Ezra (Fitzgerald), who is autistic. Having recently blown up both his career and his marriage, Max is now living with his father, Stan (De Niro). Max, profoundly at odds with his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) about how to address their son’s needs, decides to kidnap Ezra and take him on a cross-country odyssey, with hilariously disastrous results.

Tony Spiridakis scripted the film, going into production this month, which is being co-financed and produced by Closer Media and Wayfarer Studios, as the former company’s first feature.

“Tony Spiridakis is a spectrum father, and he wrote a script whose lived-in truth, humor and grace are evident on every page,” said Closer Media. “Tony Goldwyn has always been drawn to great material, as an actor, producer and filmmaker, going all the way back to our days working together on Ghost at Paramount. Seeing this story that celebrates neurodivergence come together with this amazing cast and team makes us feel incredibly fortunate and thrilled to be making this as our first film at Closer Media.”

“After hearing the initial idea, Wayfarer Studios felt strongly connected to it,” added Wayfarer Studios’ President, Jamey Heath. “We have a duty to ensure everyone feels they are represented in storytelling, and this unique story showcases those who are differently abled. These stories are crucial to the growth and acceptance of all people and having the opportunity to reach global audiences with this film speaks to our core mission, and we are incredibly proud to partner with Closer Media, who share our same vision.”

John Leguizamo to Star in Ava DuVernay’s Netflix Limited Drama Series “Central Park Five”

John Leguizamo is Central Park bound…

The 53-year-old Colombian actor/comedian is set to star in Ava DuVernay’s Netflix limited series Central Park Five.

John Leguizamo

Leguizamo joins a cast for the four-part dramathat includes Michael K. Williams and Vera Farmiga.

The limited series sprawls from 1989 when five Harlem teens were incorrectly convicted first in the media and then twice in the courts for the brutal rape of a jogger in the NYC park to 2014 when Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise saw their names finally cleared.

Having been vilified by the likes of Donald Trump back in the late 80s and forced to spend years in jail each, the five sued New York City and settled for just over $40 million about four years ago. Before you take another breath, take into account that sum that works out to around $1 million for every year they collectively spent tossed behind bars for a terrible crime they never committed

Emmy winner, recent Special Tony Award winner and Bloodline star Leguizamo has signed on as Raymond Santana Sr., father of another one of the falsely accused boys of color.

Currently in pre-production in NYC and with principal photography starting in early August, Central Park Five also reunites its creator DuVernay for the fifth time with Selma cinematographer Bradford Young, who recently shot Solo: A Star Wars Story.Working with writers Robin Swicord, Attica Locke and Michael Starrbury, DuVernay co-penned each episode of the series.

The Queen Sugar EP and ARRAY founder is directing every episode of the timely drama.

Anthony Ramos to Star in Legendary/Warner Bros.’ Monster Sequel “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”

Anthony Ramos has landed a monster of a role…

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican actor and Hamilton star has been cast in Legendary/Warner Bros.’ upcoming monster sequel Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Anthony Ramos 

Ramos, who recently landed a role opposite Lady Gaga in A Star is Born, joins a stellar cast that includes Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, Ken Watanabe, O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Aisha Hinds.

Michael Dougherty is directing from a script he co-wrote with Zach Shields.

Ramos will play Cpl. Mendoza, who keeps calm and cool on the surface but whose bravery isn’t to be underestimated in battle.

No plot details have been released for the film, which hits theaters March 22, 2019.

Ramos stars as Mars Blackmon in Spike Lee’s forthcoming Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It and co-stars in the Sundance Film Festival’s breakout film Patti Cake$, which Fox Searchlight nabbed for $9.5M and will release it in select theaters July 7.

He originated the roles of John Laurens and Philip HamiltonAlexander Hamilton‘s eldest son, in the Broadway musical Hamilton. Prior to that, he created the role of Justin Laboy in the Lin-Manuel Miranda short musical, 21 Chump Street.

Gloria & Emilio Estefan to Appear at This Year’s Tony Awards

Emilio and Gloria Estefan may be bringing their life story to The Great White Way in the near future… But first they’ll be appearing as part of Broadway’s biggest night.

The Estefans will be appearing at this year’s Tony Awards.

Gloria Estefan Emilio Estefan

In addition to the multi-Grammy winning musicians and producers, the upcoming ceremony, honoring the best of Broadway will also feature appearances by Bradley Cooper, Kevin Bacon, Carole King, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Will Ferrell, Liev Schreiber, Emmy Rossum, Kate Mara, Zachary Quinto, Zachary Levi, Lucy Liu, Clint Eastwood, Patricia Clarkson, Leighton Meester, Ethan Hawke, Zach Braff, Matt Bomer, Anna Gunn, Tony nominee Audra McDonald, Fran Drescher, Wayne Brady, Kenneth Branagh, Tony Goldwyn, Vera Farmiga and Alessandro Nivola, it was announced Tuesday.

Hugh Jackman will hosted this year’s show.

The 68th annual Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will broadcast live from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on June 8 on CBS.

Garcia Directs Tribute to His Musical Idol Israel Lopez “Cachao” for Martell’s New Cognac Brand Caractère

No, it’s not a case of déjà vu…

Andy Garcia has, in fact, directed another tribute to his longtime musical idol, Israel LopezCachao.”

Andy Garcia

The 57-year-old Cuban actor first profiled the pioneering Cuban bassist and mambo originator in his 1993 documentary Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos.

Now Garcia has made Cachao the subject of a six-minute film produced for Martell‘s new Caractère cognac brand. The Academy Award-nominated actor, who plays the bongo drums, tells Billboard that he plans to record an album of his own songs with members of the late Cuban great’s band.

“The only thing he asked for in life was for the youth to maintain the traditions,” Garcia says of Cachao in the short, titled Mi Maestro. “And that’s what our relationship was about, maintaining the traditions of Cuban music. And that’s what I’m dedicated to today.”

Cachao is credited with inventing the mambo rhythm together with his brother Orestes Lopez. For decades, Cachao lived quietly in exile in Miami, performing in restaurants and at weddings. Garcia, whose own family left Cuba for South Florida, was often in the audience.

“He took me in not only as a musical protegé but as an extended member of his family,” says Garcia. He brought the aging Cuban musician out of obscurity in Miami with his documentary and, with the help of Emilio Estefan, a breakthrough album, Master Sessions Vol. 1. Garcia produced a total of four Cachao albums before his death in 2008, at age 89.

The Martell short shows the actor in his younger days working in the studio with the Cuban great. In new footage created for the project, he dances along with a group of professional mambo dancers during a jam on the beach.

Garcia is the first “Icon of Caractère” named by Martell in a program for the Hispanic market to promote the launch of the cognac, described by the company as representing “the true man of character.” The actor directed and narrates the short, which he presented at a screening event in Los Angeles last week (February 11).

In addition to appearing from time to time with the Cineson Allstars, Garcia has been writing songs and is “threatening to record an album with my original music” performed by the Cuban band, he tells Billboard. He recently collaborated with trumpet player Arturo Sandoval on the score for At Middleton, the January release he stars in with Vera Farmiga.

Garcia revealed another music-related project he has on the back burner: a movie about Chano Pozo, the Afro-Cuban conga player who collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie to create some of the most important music in the history of Latin Jazz. At age 33, The Havana-born Pozo was killed by a bookie in a bar in Harlem during a fight over a drug deal.

Garcia’s Romantic Comedy “At Middleton” Opens in Theaters

Andy García is having a Middleton moment…

The 57-year-old Cuban actor is starring opposite Vera Farmiga in the romantic comedy At Middleton, which was released by Anchor Bay this weekend.

At Middleton

Garcia, an Academy Award nominee for The Godfather Part III, and Farmiga play George and the eccentric Edith, two strangers who meet on their children’s campus tour at the idyllic Middleton College.

Failing comically to connect with their kids, George and Edith play hooky together, ditching the official tour for a carefree adventure reminiscent of their own college years.

The film’s music was composed by Arturo Sandoval.

Garcia to Star in “Let’s Be Cops”

Andy Garcia is joining the force…

The 57-year-old Cuban actor has been cast in 20th Century Fox’s Let’s Be Cops, an action comedy starring Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Johnson.

Andy Garcia

The Luke Greenfield-directed picture will also star The Vampire DiariesNina Dobrev and James D’Arcy.

Let’s Be Cops centers on two friends (Wayans and Johnson) who impersonate police officers using rented uniforms, giving their lives a boost and some fun. However, they run into trouble when they cross a dangerous Russian mobster.

Garcia will play a seasoned detective who inadvertently becomes the boss of the two wannabes.

The film is scheduled to begin shooting in Atlanta this summer.

It’s Garcia’s first studio movie since 2007’s Ocean’s Thirteen. He’s been acting and producing more character-driven projects like his starrer Middleton, which also stars Vera Farmiga.