Disney+ to Begin Streaming Rosario Dawson’s “Haunted Mansion” in October

Rosario Dawson’s latest film will be bringing the fright to Disney+ soon.

Haunted Mansion, starring the 44-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress and activist, will begin streaming on Disney+ on October 4.

Rosario Dawson, Haunted MansionThe feature, inspired by the famed theme park ride at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, opened in theaters on July 28.

Directed by Justin Simien and penned by Katie Dippold, the film tells the story of a woman (Dawson) and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help them rid their home of supernatural squatters.

In addition to Dawson, the cast includes LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Chase W. Dillon and Daniel Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost.

The film also will be available at digital retailers on October 4, including Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu.

Gravitas Ventures Acquires North American Rights to Carlos Gomez’s Latest Film “Spiked”

Carlos Gomez’s latest project is getting a spike in attention…

Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, has acquired North American rights to distribute the 59-year-old Latin America actor’s film Spiked, which hails from writer/director Juan Martinez Vera.

Carlos Gomez

In addition to Gomez, who starred the in the short-lived series The Baker and the Beauty, the film also stars Aidan Quinn, Deirdre Lovejoy, Danay Garcia, Wendy Makkena, Lovensky Jean-Baptiste and Walter Belenky.

Sal Lopez, and Christopher Rich star in this indie feature drama.  

Spiked is a dramatic story rooted in the injustices that immigrant workers experience along the U.S./Mexico border. Principal photography on the indie feature was completed in 2019 on location in and around southern Arizona.

“Anchored by an outstanding performance by Aidan Quinn, Juan’s film integrates issues around immigration, law enforcement, and journalistic integrity into a compelling real-life narrative. We look forward to presenting this timely film to North American audiences,” said Tony Piantedosi, Vice President of Acquisitions at Gravitas Ventures.

The story follows John Wilson, a newspaper publisher in a small U.S./Mexico border town who denounces the abuse of power by local law enforcement. John has been at it for years and has made more than a few enemies and stepped on more than a few toes. Following the killing of an immigrant worker, an incident that the police are unwilling to do anything about, the newspaper publisher and his team take on the plight of the family and of the community to find those responsible and bring them to justice. At every turn, his efforts are thwarted by an uncooperative police chief who seems to have her own agenda. Matters escalate when John succumbs to a mysterious illness that threatens his life and his investigation.

Spiked follows the personal stories of characters along the border and how their lives collide when they attempt to fight for justice,” Martinez Vera said. “I was inspired to write and direct this project after hearing real-life stories of immigrants suffering abuse of power from law enforcement agencies some 20-years ago and incredibly moved by how relevant these stories are today as immigrant families continue to grapple with inhuman and unjust treatment. I’m thrilled that Gravitas will bring this film to audiences in the U.S., while we look toward announcing plans for distribution throughout Latin American and other markets.”

The film will be produced by Per Melita.

On March 26th, Gravitas will launch the film across multiple VOD platforms, including Amazon Prime, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Vimeo, Gravitas Movies, and release on SVOD platforms to follow later this year.

El Rey Network Orders Second Season of Luna’s Spy Thriller “The Matador”

It’s nothin’ but net for Gabriel Luna

El Rey Network has ordered a 13-episode second season of the soccer-themed spy thriller Matador, starring the 31-year-old Latino actor.

Gabriel Luna in The Matador

From writer-producer Roberto Orci, the series centers on Antonio “Matador” Bravo, a soccer star who in reality uses his sports career as a cover for his work as a skilled covert operative executing missions for a little-known branch of the CIA.

Alfred Molina, Nicky Whelan, Neil Hopkins, Tanc Sade, Yvette Monreal, Elizabeth Peña, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Sammi Rotibi, Jonny Cruz, Isabella Gomez and Peter Gadiot co-star.

“It just fit in with what we wanted to do … this is why I created [El Rey],” said filmmaker and the network’s founder Robert Rodriguez, who trumpeted the network’s commitment to diversity by saying that at least 50% of the network’s talent both in front of and behind the camera is diverse. “We are so happy with the season already, we are on episode 11. It fits right in with our network. It’s kickass, the characters are really engaging, it’s your dream kind of show to do.”

The announcement comes in advance of the The Matador’s premiere on July 15.

A sneak peek of the pilot episode becomes available this week on iTunes, Vudu, Xbox 360 and other platforms.

El Rey Network Picks Up Garcia’s “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” for a Second Season

It’s From Dusk Till Dawn and beyond for Jesse Garcia and his co-stars…

El Rey Network has picked up the Mexican/Spanish-American actor’s new series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series for a 13-episode second season. Garcia portrays Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez on the series.

Jesse Garcia

The announcement comes only two weeks after the network’s first original series debuted.

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series has been earning bank  from distribution pacts, including a deal with Netflix, which carries the series in key international territories and is on board for Season 2, and a DVD/EST agreement with eOne for the U.S. and Canada, which makes From Dusk Till Dawn episodes available on Amazon, iTunes, Sony Playstation, Xbox, Vudu, Google Play, Cinemanow, Blackberry and Target Ticket after their El Rey premiere.

“As the television landscape becomes even more crowded, it’s important for El Rey Network to have a recurring and memorable franchise that speaks to our audience and allows us to break away from the noise of all the competition,” El Rey vice chair Scott Sassa said. “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series is most certainly that kind of property and we are thrilled with the response from our affiliate partners, advertisers, viewers and the international community.”

From Dusk Till Dawn is based on the cult classic film of the same name by the network’s co-founder Robert Rodriguez, who created the series and directed four of the first season’s installments.

“This is a truly unique property and one that has really resonated for viewers,” he said. “It has been a joy to bring these characters back to life and have the opportunity to take our storytelling to a whole new place.”

In addition to Garcia, From Dusk Till Dawn’s international cast includes D.J. Cotrona, Zane Holtz, Eiza González, Wilmer Valderrama, Adrianne Palicki, Jake Busey, Don Johnson, Madison Davenport, Lane Garrison, Robert Patrick, and Brandon Soo Hoo.

Urbizu’s “No Rest for the Wicked” to be Released in the U.S.

Enrique Urbizu is experiencing a triumphant return to moviemaking…

Enrique Urbizu

Tribeca Film has acquired North American rights to the 50-year-old Spanish filmmaker’s award-winning thriller No Rest for the Wicked (No habra paz para los malvados), his first outing behind the camera after an eight-year absence.

Urbizu’s film, which is screening as part of Fantastic Fest in Austin this weekend, was the big winner at this year’s Goya Awards —the Spanish equivalent of the Oscars—capturing six trophies, including Best Film.

No Rest for the Wicked Poster

No Rest for the Wicked centers on a police inspector, Santos Trinidad, who gets involved in a triple murder.  But there’s a witness that manages to escape and could incriminate him. So antos begins an investigation to find and eliminate him. Meanwhile, Judge Chacon, who is investigating the triple murder, goes on looking for the murderer but what seems a simple case of drugs actually is something far more dangerous.

Tribeca Film plans a December release for the film. The release will span multiple platforms, including availability on demand in more than 40 million homes through a variety of video-on-demand offerings, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU and Xbox.