America Ferrera Joins Voice Cast of English-Language Version of French Animated Film “Arco”

Posted on August 21, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

America Ferrera is getting animated…

The Honduran American Emmy-, Golden Globe– and SAG Award-winning actress has joined the voice cast of NEON’s English-language version of Arco, a French animated feature they’ll submit for Oscar consideration, which had its world premiere as a Special Screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

In addition to Ferrera, who rose to acclaim on ABC’s Ugly Betty, the voice list includes Will Ferrell, Flea, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, and Andy Samberg.

The English-language version will world premiere in the Centerpiece section of the Toronto Film Festival on September 7, ahead of its release in U.S. theaters on November 14th.

Winning both the Cristal Award for Best Feature Film and the Soundtrack Award at Annecy, Arco follows a 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future who accidentally travels back to the year 2075 and discovers a world in peril. As Arco develops a charming and touching friendship with a young girl named Iris, they band together and along with her trusted robot caretaker Mikki, set out on a quest to get Arco home, while the two children may also be the only ones who can save our planet.

Marking the feature debut of Ugo Bienvenu, the film is produced by Remembers’ Bienvenu and Felix de Givry, as well as mountainA’s Portman and Sophie Mas.

Neon acquired rights to Arco out of Cannes, where they earned their sixth consecutive Palme d’Or for Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident.

Bobby Cannavale to Star in Amazon MGM’s New Untitled Comedy Starring Will Ferrell

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale has lined up his next project…

The 54-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor has joined the cast of Amazon MGM’s untitled new comedy starring Will Ferrell.

Cannavale joins a roster of new cast additions that includes Fortune Feimster.

Character details are under wraps.

The project hails from writer-director Nicholas Stoller, who’s reunited with Ferrell following their work on the Amazon MGM wedding comedy You’re Cordially Invited.

In the new film, Zac Efron co-stars as a young convict fresh out of prison who takes a reality TV courtroom hostage, blaming the megalomaniac TV judge (Ferrell) for a past ruling that he feels ruined his life. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Michael Peña, Jimmy Tatro, Billy Eichner and Regina Hall will also feature in the ensemble.

Producers on the project include Stoller for his Stoller Global Solutions, as well as Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum and Alex Brown for Gloria Sanchez Productions.

A two-time Emmy winner, Cannavale has most recently been seen starring in Amazon MGM’s inspirational wrestling pic Unstoppable, Ti West’s A24 slasher MaXXXine, and Bill Burr’s Netflix comedy Old Dads.

Next up, he’ll be seen starring alongside Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley and Andrew Scott in Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.

“Saturday Night Live” Alum Fred Armisen to Appear on “SNL:50 The Anniversary Special”

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Fred Armisen is returning to Studio 8H.

The 58-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor, comedian, musician, writer and former Saturday Night Live cast member will be appearing on SNL:50 The Anniversary Special.

Armisen is among a roster of SNL alums returning for the show’s 50th anniversary special.

He starred on the late-night sketch comedy and variety series from 2002 to 2013.

Some of Armisen’s iconic SNL characters include Garth and Manuel Ortiz. He’s also known for his impressions of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, Ira Glass, Prince and Michael Bloomberg.

Other former/current cast members and guests set to appear on the show include

Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig, Laraine Newman, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell, Will Forte and more.

They join previously announced A-listers Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Bad Bunny, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Kim Kardashian, Martin Short, Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Peyton Manning, Quinta Brunson, Robert De Niro, Sabrina Carpenter, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Woody Harrelson.

The live three-hour telecast from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center is set for Sunday, February 16 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on NBC and simulcast on Peacock.

Ahead of Sunday’s special, Peacock will livestream the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert from Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, on Friday, February, 14 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

Executive produced by Lorne Michaels and Mark Ronson, the concert will include performances by Arcade Fire, Backstreet Boys, Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Chris Martin, David Byrne, DEVO, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Mumford & Sons, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Robyn, The B-52s, The Roots and more to be announced.

Saturday Night Live is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.

Keyla Monterroso Mejia to Star Opposite Keke Palmer & Sza in TriStar’s Untitled Buddy Comedy

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Keyla Monterroso Mejia has found her buddies…

The 26-year-old Guatemalan & Mexican American has joined the cast of TriStar’s untitled buddy comedy starring Keke Palmer and four-time Grammy-winning musician Sza.

Monterroso Mejia is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Maude Apatow and Katt Williams.

Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott and Patrick Cage will also star.

The logline is being kept under wraps.

Lawrence Lamont is directing with the screenplay written by Syreeta Singleton.

The project came together from the CoCre lab at Sony Pictures, a previous pact between ColorCreative and Sony to source and incubate emerging, diverse screenwriters to develop and write their first studio feature based on original ideas.

Monterroso Mejia is best known for her character Maria Sofia Estrada on Season 11 of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Upcoming, Monterroso Mejia will star opposite Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon in You’re Cordially Invited for Amazon, written and directed by Nick Stoller.

She’ll star opposite Seth Rogen in The Studio, Apple TV+’s upcoming comedy series from Rogen’s Point Grey, and will also appear in Mindy Kaling’s pro basketball comedy series Running Point for Netflix.

Kevin Alves to Appear on Netflix‘s Comedy Series “No Good Deed” in Recurring Role

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Kevin Alves is preparing for a good role…

The 32-year-old Canadian-Brazilian actor and former figure skater has landed a recurring role on Netflix‘s eight-episode comedy series No Good Deed from creator Liz Feldman.

Alves, who appears on Yellowjackets, plays Nate, the strait-laced, hard-edged son of Mikey (Denis Leary), with whom he has a strained relationship.

Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow lead the cast, which also includes Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Abbi Jacobson, Poppy Liu, Leary and O-T Fagbenle.

No Good Deed is a half-hour, dark comedy that follows three very different families vying to buy the very same 1920s Spanish-style villa that they think will solve all their problems. But as the sellers have already discovered, sometimes the home of your dreams can be a total nightmare.

Feldman serves as showrunner and executive produces alongside Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum for Gloria Sanchez Productions, Christie Smith, and Silver Tree, who will direct the pilot and additional episodes.

Sherry Thomas and Russell Scott are overseeing casting.

Best known for his role as a teenaged Travis on Showtime’s hit series Yellowjackets, which is heading into its third season after landing 10 Emmy nominations in its first two go-rounds, the Canadian-born Alves previously recurred on Netflix’s Locke & Key and Freeform’s Shadowhunters.

His additional TV credits include Two Sentence Horror Stories, The Expanse, Degrassi: The Next Generation and Warehouse 13.

Next, Alves will be seen starring in the comedy Lucky Weekend, which he directed from his own script, in his feature debut.

Keyla Monterroso Mejia to Star in Mindy Kaling’s Untitled Comedy Series for Netflix

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Keyla Monterroso Mejia is answering the Kal(ing)…

The 25-year-old Guatemalan & Mexican American actress and Curb Your Enthusiasm scene-stealer will star in Mindy Kaling‘s Netflix comedy series, set in the world of pro basketball, lead by Kate Hudson.

Monterroso Mejia is among a roster of cast newcomers that includes Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman, Chet Hanks and Roberto Sanchez, who previously starred in Queen of the South.

In addition to Hudson, they join previously announced cast members Brenda Song, Drew Tarver and.

In the as-yet untitled comedy series, when a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Hudson) is appointed President of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business. Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job, especially in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports.

Guido plays Jackie Moreno, a popcorn vendor at the stadium where the Waves play, Jackie can’t believe it when he is suddenly thrust into the inner circle of his favorite team. Now he has the opportunity to work his way up the organization from the ground floor.

Monterroso Mejia plays Ana Moreno, Jackie’s cousin who is also a personal injury attorney. Ana is smart, ambitious and always looking for an angle.

Sanchez is Stephen Ramirez, the intimidating head of the board who’s been with the Waves through generations of Gordons. He’s old-fashioned, no-nonsense, and a constant reminder of the old guard, making Isla desperate to prove she’s more than just Jack Gordon’s little daughter.

The 10-part series is written and executive-produced by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, who serves as showrunner.

Guido’s television credits include the role of Mikey Gutierrez on Mr. Iglesias, a major recurring role on Perry Mason, as well as Welcome To The Family, The Night Shift and Wisdom of the Crowd.

Monterroso Mejia is perhaps best known for her absurdly hilarious role as Maria Sofia on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her other credits include the major recurring role of Ashley on Abbott Elementary, as well as On My Block spinoff Freeridge and is in post on Amazon Studios’ Will Ferrell & Reese Witherspoon wedding comedy You’re Cordially Invited.

Sanchez will next be seen in a major recurring role on Starz’s BMF and in Apple TV+’s upcoming Palm Royale. His previous credits include Queen of the South and 2 Fast 2 Furious.

America Ferrera to Serve as a Presenter at This Weekend’s Golden Globes

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

America Ferrera will be hitting the Golden Globes stage…

The full lineup of presenters for Sunday’s Golden Globes is set, with the 39-year-old Honduran American award-winning actress among the artists set to hand out trophies at the Beverly Hilton.

Ferrera, a Golden Globe winner for Ugly Betty and Barbie star, appears on a list of preseners that includes Amanda Seyfried, Andra Day, Angela Bassett, Annette Bening, Ben Affleck, Daniel Kaluuya, Don Cheadle, Dua Lipa, Elizabeth Banks, Florence Pugh, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Gabriel Macht, George Lopez, Hailee Steinfeld, Hunter Schafer, Issa Rae, Jared Leto, Jodie Foster, Jon Batiste, Jonathan Bailey, Julia Garner, Justin Hartley, Kate Beckinsale, Keri Russell, Kevin Costner, Mark Hamill, Matt Damon, Michelle Yeoh, Naomi Watts, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Patrick J. Adams, Ray Romano, Rose McIver, Shameik Moore, Simu Liu, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Will Ferrell.

Jo Koy will host the Golden Globes, which will honor the year’s best in motion pictures and television.

The ceremony will air beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Among this year’s Golden Globe nominees in 26 categories, 2023’s box office champ Barbie from Warner Bros leads all films with nine, followed by Universal’s Oppenheimer with eight and Apple’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Searchlight’s Poor Things with seven apiece.

In the TV races, HBO’s final go-round with Succession has nine noms, the most-ever for a series, scoring mentions in all categories in which it was eligible.

“Barbie,” Starring America Ferrera, Becomes Highest-Grossing Movie of the Year in North America

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

America Ferrera is a box office champ…

Barbie, starring the 39-year-old Honduran American Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress, is officially the highest-grossing movie of the year in North America.Greta Gerwig’s fantasy-comedy, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has generated $575.4 million at the domestic box office, overtaking the previous champion, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has collected $574 million domestically.

Barbie has grossed $1.3 billion globally and will soon surpass The Super Mario Bros. Movie (with $1.35 billion globally) as the biggest worldwide release of 2023 as well.

Only two Hollywood blockbusters this year have crossed the $1 billion mark and, notably, neither were superhero adventures or sequels in popular franchises.

Barbie started its record-breaking theatrical run in July with the best debut of the year ($162 million) and remained the No. 1 movie for four consecutive weekends. It also landed the biggest opening weekend for a film directed by a woman and became the highest-grossing movie directed solely by a woman.

At this point, Barbie is the 14th-biggest domestic release and 20th-biggest global release of all time.

Barbie also recently surpassed Christopher Nolan’s superhero epic The Dark Knight ($536 million) as the highest-grossing domestic release in Warner Bros. history. It could eventually eclipse 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ($1.34 billion) as the studio’s highest-grossing worldwide release in 100 years.

Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of Lady Bird and Little Women, co-wrote the screenplay with her partner Noah Baumbach. The cotton candy-colored blockbuster follows the popular doll as she leaves behind the seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land to discover the highs and lows of life in the real world. The cast also includes Issa Rae, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu and Michael Cera.

Keyla Monterroso Mejia to Star in Amazon’s Wedding Comedy “You’re Cordially Invited”

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Keyla Monterroso Mejia has officially made the list…

The 25-year-old Guatemalan & Mexican American actress has joined the cast of Amazon’s Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon wedding comedy, You’re Cordially Invited.

Mejia is among a list of new cast additions that includes Celia Weston, Jimmy Tatro and Leanne Morgan, with Nick Stoller directing the film, which he wrote.

In the film, a woman (Witherspoon) who is planning her sister’s (Meredith Hagner) perfect wedding and the father (Ferrell) of a young bride-to-be (Geraldine Viswanathan) discover that they are double-booked for their destination wedding at a remote resort on an island off the Georgia coast. When both parties decide to share the small venue, chaos ensues and disaster awaits.

Mejia has made a name for herself with her scene-stealing appearances on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and Abbott Elementary.

She currently stars in the Netflix comedy series Freeridge, and can next be seen in Suncoast starring Woody Harrelson and Laura Linney.

Her past roles include Growing Fangs, HBO Max’s The 90 Day Plan, #Whitina, Lo Que Construimos, and Aguanta.

Aimee Carrero to Star in the Buddy Action-Comedy “Code 3”

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Aimee Carrero has broken the code…

The 34-year-old Dominican actress will star in the buddy action-comedy Code 3 opposite Rainn Wilson and Lil Rel Howery.

Production is set to begin in February.

She’ll portray Jessica, a newbie paramedic who is eager to learn is well-trained, and is superb under pressure. In the 24-hour shift where she’s training to replace Randy (Wilson), she’s in for an incredible day of surprises and realizations.

The film, by director Christopher Leone, follows a day in the life of two overworked, underpaid, and nearly burnt-out paramedics. One EMT is so burnt-out by the job that he’s forcing himself to resign, though he first must embark on one last 24-hour shift to train his replacement. Everything that could happen on the job, from the mundane to the extreme, then happens on this final, exhilarating day.

The script for Code 3 hails from Leone and former paramedic Patrick Pianezza. Angela Cardon will oversee the project for Wayfarer Studios and will serve as its sole financier.

Producers are Justin Baldoni and Andrew Calof for Wayfarer, Lawrence Mattis of Circle of Confusion, Matt Smith of Electro Corduroy Entertainment, and Paul “Pizza” Pianezza of Realdream.

Carrero’s breakout role was in Season 2 of FX’s The Americans playing the character of Lucia.

She can currently be seen in the Fox Searchlight film The Menu starring Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, streaming now via HBO Max.

Additionally, she co-starred in the Apple TV+ holiday film Spirited opposite Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell.

Up next, she’ll appear as a series regular in Amazon’s The Consultant opposite Christoph Waltz in the role of Patti.

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