Krysta Rodriguez to Star in the Indie Comedy “Lunch Hour”

Krysta Rodriguez is out to lunch…

The 40-year-old Latina actress, singer and Broadway star has signed on to star in Lunch Hour, a new indie comedy from director Larry Guterman and Winter State Entertainment.

Krysta Rodriguez,Rodriguez will be joined by Thomas Middleditch and Alan Cumming in the project.

Delving into the anatomy of an affair, Lunch Hour watches as a soup-loving married man meets the soup-loving married woman of his dreams. Thereafter, both throw caution to the wind and engage in a messy affair for the ages.

Oren Safdie wrote the script and serves as executive producer. Hamid & Camille Torabpour and Nick Hagen produced for Winter State.

“I am thrilled to work with Oren, Hamid, Camille and the Winterstate team to bring this whip-smart comedy, driven by nuanced and complex comic performances, to the screen,” Guterman told Deadline. “I fell in love with the script and I knew that I had to be part of the special project.”

Added the Torabpours, “Oren is a wonderful writer, and watching his words come to life with Larry’s incredible direction and the brilliant work of our amazing cast of Thomas, Krista and Alan has been a tremendous experience. Camille and I are happy to have brought a project like this to Minnesota!!”

Rodriguez, who rose to acclaim on television in Smash, portrayed Liza Minnelli in Netflix’s limited series Halston from executive producer Ryan Murphy and has also been seen in Broadway productions like Into the Woods, First DateThe Addams Family and Spring Awakening.

Bianca Del Rio to Star in “Hurricane Bianca: The Roots of All Evil”

Bianca Del Rio is storming Hollywood again…

The 47-year-old Cuban and Honduran American drag queen, comedian, actor, costume designer and former RuPaul’s Drag Race winner will return for a third movie in the Hurricane Bianca franchise.

Bianca Del RioDel Rio, the stage name of Roy R. Haylock, will star alongside Willam BelliRachel DratchThora BirchDrag Race fan favorite Vanessa Vanjie Mateo and Doug Plaut.

Hurricane Bianca: The Roots of All Evil, which is due to shoot in early 2023, is written and directed by Matt Kugelman.

The film will see Richard Martinez (Del Rio) return home to Florida for his beloved grandmother’s funeral. There, he is lured back into a decades-old feud with his mother who owns a homophobic fast-food chain restaurant, and so decides to go undercover as Bianca Del Rio to put his mother out of business. With the help of his chosen family, he embarks on an adventure exposing corruption, confronting cults and healing relationships.

Tony nominee Dratch returns as the villainous Vice Principal Debbie Ward and Plaut reprises his role as Bianca’s ditzy friend, Rex. Birch will be playing the role of the mesmerizing cult leader, Mary. Vanjie (aka Miss Vanjie) is playing the role of Bianca’s cousin, Antonio. Former Drag Race contestant Belli returns as Bailey. Additional casting is underway.

The screenplay comes from Kugelman, Derek Hartley and Nicole Gemma.

Hurricane Bianca (which also starred Alan Cumming and RuPaul) and sequel Hurricane Bianca: From Russia With Hate (which also starred Wanda Sykes and Jeaneane Garofalo) both aired on Netflix.

“I’m so excited to be working with this dream team. Bianca is back! Willam is back!  And I am elated to introduce Miss Vanjie into Bianca’s family. These are the funniest people I’ve ever met playing these incredibly lovable characters, and then we get to add the amazing Thora Birch into the mix as we’ve never seen her before: An eccentric villain! I cannot wait to share this adventure with the world!” said Kugelman.

Hurricane Bianca fans around the world will be pleased with this hilarious and timely sequel that is both commercially viable and continually stays true to its core messaging and artistic integrity. Today’s audiences are ready to embrace films that bridge the gap between mainstream and LGBTQ markets. The late Ash Christian who produced the first two films, was always a champion of LGBTQ filmmakers and believed in Matt Kugelman’s vision and talent from day one. Ash will be deeply missed during this next journey and he is always with us in spirit,” commented producer Kimberly Montini of Cranium Entertainment.

“Audiences from all over the world will connect with this film, being a universal beacon of light for anyone facing adversity. As a big fan of Hurricane Bianca films, this new sequel raises the bar to new heights. We couldn’t be more excited to kickstart BLKBX Originals’ endeavors with a film people from all over can relate to with laughter at the heart of it all,” noted producer Frank Donner of BLKBX Originals.

Apple TV+ Renews Musical Comedy “Schmigadoon!,” Starring Ariana DeBose, for Second Season

There’s more Schmigadoon in Ariana DeBose’s future…

Apple TV+ has ordered a second season of its musical comedy Schmigadoon!, starring the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress.

Ariana DeBose,Hailing from creators Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio and executive producer Lorne Michaels, the series stars Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, DeBose, Dove Cameron, Jaime Camil, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ann Harada, Jane Krakowski, Martin Short and Aaron Tveit — all of whom are set to return.

Tituss Burgess and Patrick Page will also join the fun in the new season, which will find Josh (Key) and Melissa (Strong) in Schmicago, the world of 60’s and 70’s musicals.

Following its global debut on Apple TV+ last year, Schmigadoon! was honored with an AFI Award, and has received wide acclaim and accolades, including a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Chenoweth.

The series hails from Broadway Video and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Paul, who is the showrunner, wrote all of the original songs for the series. Robert Luketic directs and co-executive produces. Andrew Singer serves as an executive producer, while Micah Frank is a co-executive producer. Strong and Caroline Maroney are producers.

Jared Leto Wins  AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Trophy for “House of Gucci”

Jared Leto is the Seniors’ choice…

The 20th anniversary AARP Movies for Grownups Awards have been announced, with the 50-year-old part-Spanish American actor and singer among the winners.

Jared Leto

Leto was named Best Supporting Actor for his performance in House of Gucci during the virtual ceremony, which was hosted by Alan Cumming.

Clifton Collins Jr. and his Nightmare Alley cast mates were named Best Ensemble.

The 51-year-old half-Mexican American actor portrays Funhouse Jack in the film from Guillermo del Toro. His costars in the film include Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara and Toni Collette.

“We are thrilled to share this year’s Movies for Grownups Awards honorees during our 20th anniversary special,” said Tim Appelo, AARP film and TV critic. “Even in a pandemic, creators continue to raise the bar, captivating audiences and giving us all a bit of solace during trying times. Twenty years is quite a milestone to celebrate, and we wish all our nominees and honorees a heartfelt congratulations.”

AARP’s Movies for Grownups program advocates for the 50-plus audience by fighting industry ageism and encouraging films that resonate with mature viewers.  Here are the winners of the 2021 Movies for Grownups Awards:

FILM

Best Picture
Belfast

Best Actor
Will Smith (King Richard)

Best Actress
Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)

Best Supporting Actress
Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)

Best Supporting Actor
Jared Leto (House of Gucci)

Best Director
Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)

Best Screenwriter
Tony Kushner (West Side Story)

Best Intergenerational Film
CODA

Best Ensemble
Nightmare Alley

Best Time Capsule
Spencer

Best Grownup Love Story
Cyrano

Best Documentary
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Best Buddy Picture
Finch

Best Foreign Film
Sheep Without a Shepherd (China)

TELEVISION

Best Actress
Jean Smart (Hacks)

Best Actor
Michael Keaton (Dopesick)

Best Limited Series/TV Movie
Mare of Easttown

Best TV Series
Ted Lasso

Career Achievement Award
Lily Tomlin

Jaime Camil to Star in Steven Soderbergh’s Next Film “KIMI” for HBO Max

Jaime Camil has landed his next role…

The 47-year-old Mexican actor/singer and Jane The Virgin scene-stealer has been cast in Steven Soderbergh’s next film, the New Line Max Original feature KIMI, with Zoë Kravitz on board to star. Byron Bowers is also on board.

Jaime Camil

The film will premiere exclusively on HBO Max. David Koepp penned the script and will produce along with Michael Polaire.

Plot details are being kept under wraps.

Camil can next be seen starring opposite Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, Jane Krakowski, Fred Armisen, Alan Cumming, Ariana DeBose and Kristen Chenoweth in the upcoming Apple+ musical comedy series Schmigadoon! from executive producer Lorne Michaels. He previously starred as fan and critic favorite in the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning series Jane the Virgin. Most recently he starred in and executive produced the CBS comedy series Broke, becoming the first Latino lead in a comedy series for CBS since Desi Arnaz in I Love Lucy.

Camil is also teaming up with Jane the Virgin show creator Jennie Synder Urman and writer/comedian Al Magrigal to develop the single-camera comedy series Guerrillas through ABC, which he’ll co-executive produce and star in.

Jaime Camil to Star in Still Untitled Apple TV+ Musical Comedy

Jaime Camil has found the Apple (project) of his eye…

Apple TV+ has set a star-studded ensemble cast for its upcoming musical comedy that includes the 47-year-old Mexican actor, singer and television personality.

Jaime Camil

In addition to Camil, the project – which will be led by Saturday Night Live‘s Cecily Strong and executive produced by Lorne MichaelsBroadway Video – will also star Keegan-Michael Key, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Tveit, Dove Cameron, Ariana DeBose, Jane Krakowski and Ann Harada.

Written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, the as-yet untitled comedy series follows a couple on a backpacking trip designed to reinvigorate their relationship when they discover the magical town of Schmigadoon, in which everyone acts as if they’re in a studio musical from the 1940s. They then discover that they can’t leave until they find “true love.”

Key will play Josh, Melissa’s (Strong) long term, pragmatic partner, and the last person who wants to be stuck in this magical town. Cumming is Mayor Menlove, the welcoming mayor of the town with a secret (and a song) in his heart. Armisen plays Reverend Layton, the mild-mannered religious leader of the town. Chenoweth is Mildred Layton, Reverend Layton’s morally superior wife who is in everybody’s business. Tveit plays Danny Bailey, the town bad boy who is trouble with a capital T, especially once he sets his sights on Melissa. Cameron is Betsy, the farmers daughter who instantly falls for Josh. DeBose portrays Emma Tate, a more modern woman and the town’s teacher, she struggles to fit into the town’s strict mold. Camil plays Doc Lopez, the handsome town doctor with an icy heart. Krakowski plays The Countess, a stunning and sophisticated woman determined to marry Doc Lopez. Harada is Florence Menlove, the oblivious and dutiful wife of Mayor Menlove.

Paul will serve as showrunner, and will write all of the original music. Barry Sonnenfeld will direct.

The series hails from Broadway Video and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Camil earned two Teen Choice Awards for his scene-stealing role on Jane the Virgin.

Salma Hayek Earns Movies for Grownups Awards Nomination from AARP

Salma Hayek’s all grown up with reason to celebrate…

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has announced its nominees for the 17th Annual Movies for Grownups Awards, with the 51-year-old Mexican actress earning a nod.

Salma Hayek

Hayek is nominated in the Best Actress category for her performance in Miguel Arteta’s Beatriz at Dinner.

She’s nominated opposite Annette Bening (Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool), Judi Dench (Victoria & Abdul), Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and Meryl Streep (The Post).

Guillermo del Toro earned a nod in the Best Director category and one in the Best Screenwriter category for the 53-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s Golden Globe-winning drama The Shape of Water, which earned a nod for Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s Chavela, a film about the life of Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, who gained worldwide fame for her beauty and charm and her interpretation of traditional ranchera, earned a nomination in the Best Foreign Film category.

Winners will be honored at the annual awards at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles on Monday, February 5 with Alan Cumming as host.

Co-produced by the Great Performances series, the awards will be broadcast for the first time on Friday, February 23 at 9:00 pm on PBS.

Here’s the complete list of nominees:

Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups
Get Out, Lady Bird, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Actress
Annette Bening (Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool), Judi Dench (Victoria & Abdul), Salma Hayek (Beatriz at Dinner), Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and Meryl Streep (The Post)

Best Actor
Steve Carell (Battle of the Sexes), Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread), Tom Hanks (The Post), Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour), Denzel Washington (Roman J. Israel, Esq.)

Best Supporting Actress
Holly Hunter (The Big Sick), Allison Janney (I, Tonya), Melissa Leo (Novitiate), Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread), Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird)

Best Supporting Actor
Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project), Laurence Fishburne (Last Flag Flying), Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Richard Jenkins (The Shape of Water), and Christopher Plummer (All the Money in the World)

Best Director
Kenneth Branagh (Murder on the Orient Express), Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water), Reginald Hudlin (Marshall), Ridley Scott (All the Money in the World) and Steven Spielberg (The Post)

Best Screenwriter
Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water), James Ivory (Call Me by Your Name), Anthony McCarten (Darkest Hour), Steven Rogers (I, Tonya), Aaron Sorkin (Molly’s Game)

Best Ensemble
Get Out, Girls Trip, Last Flag Flying, Mudbound, Murder on the Orient Express

Best Grownup Love Story
Breathe, Films Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, The Leisure Seeker, Our Souls at Night, The Greatest Showman

Best Intergenerational Film
The Big Sick, The Florida Project, Lady Bird, Marjorie Prime, Wonder

Best Time Capsule
Battle of the Sexes, Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, I, Tonya, The Post

Readers’ Choice Poll
Beauty and the Beast, Dunkirk, Get Out, Girls Trip, Last Flag Flying, Murder on the Orient Express, The Post, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Wonder, Wonder Woman

Best Documentary
Dolores, Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story, I Am Not Your Negro, Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold, Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo

Best Foreign Film
Chavela (Mexico), The Insult (Lebanon), Like Crazy (Italy), A Taxi Driver (South Korea), The Women’s Balcony (Israel)

Nero Receives First Nomination from the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Alexandre Nero is getting global recognition…

The 46-year-old Brazilian actor/singer has earned his first nomination from the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Alexandre Nero

Nero is nominated in the Best Actor category for his performance in Globo TV’s A Regra do Jogo (Rules of the Game).

Nero compatriot Grazi Massafera received a nomination in the Best Actress category. She’s nominated for her performance in Globo TV’s Verdades Secretas (Hidden Truths).

In all, Brazil leads the pack with seven nominations, including two nods in the Telenovela category for Nero and Massafera’s critically acclaimed melodramas.

The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences said that 40 nominees from 15 categories would be competing in the 10 categories, which honor programs outside of the U.S.

The ceremony will be presented by Alan Cumming on November 21 at the Hilton New York Hotel.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

Arts Programming
Gabo, Justin Webster Productions / Discovery Networks Latin America / Caracol Televisión, Colombia

Best Performance by an Actor
Dustin Hoffman in Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot, Endor Productions, United Kingdom
Alexandre Nero in A Regra do Jogo, Globo TV, Brazil
Florian Stetter in Nackt Unter Wölfen, UFA Fiction, Germany
James Wen in Echoes of Time, Ochre Pictures, Singapore

Best Performance by an Actress
Judi Dench in Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot, Endor Productions, United Kingdom
Jodi Sta. Maria in Pangako Sa’yo, ABS-CBN Corporation, Philippines
Grazi Massafera in Verdades Secretas, Globo TV, Brazil
Christiane Paul in Unterm Radar, Enigma film, Germany

Comedy
Zorra (The Mess), Globo TV, Brazil

Documentary
Madres de Plaza de Mayo – La Historia (Mothers of Plaza de Mayo – The Story), El Perro en la Luna / Tv Pública / Canal Encuentro / Asociación Madres de plaza de Mayo, Argentina

Drama Series
La Casa Del Mar, OnDIRECTV / Cisne Films / StoryLab, Argentina

Non-English U.S. Primetime Program
Asombrosamente, Fox Networks Group Latin America / National Geographic Channels Latin America / NatGeo Mundo / Nativa Productions, United States of America
La Banda, FremantleMedia Latin America / Syco / Univision / Saban, United States of America
Francisco, El Jesuita, Anima Films / The History Channel Latin America / Telemundo / Claro-Video / DirecTV, United States of America
Un Viaje con Fidel (A Trip with Fidel), CNN en Español

Non-Scripted Entertainment
Adotada, Formata Producoes e Conteúdo, Brazil

Telenovela
A Regra do Jogo (Rules of the Game), Globo TV, Brazil
Verdades Secretas (Hidden Truths), Globo TV, Brazil

TV Movie/Mini-Series
Os Experientes (The Wise Ones), Globo / O2 Filmes, Brazil

Ferrera Among Celebrities Appearing in A Capella Video in Support of Hillary Clinton

America Ferrera is fighting for Hillary Clinton

The 32-year-old Honduran American actress appears in a special Elizabeth Banks-produced a cappella music video in support of the Democratic Party’s nominee for President of the United States.

America Ferrera

In a nod to the Pitch Perfect films she produces, Banks, along with Bruce Cohen and Mike Thompkins, recruited a long list of Hollywood actors and singers, including the former Ugly Betty star, for an a cappella version of Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.”

In addition to Ferrera, other Hollywood elit appearing in the video include Eva Longoria, Kristin Chenoweth, Rob Reiner, Mandy Moore, Alan Cumming, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Idina Menzel, Renee Fleming, Aisha Tyler, Jane Fonda, Sheryl Crow and, at the very end, Sia with a loud and proud, “Go Hillary.”

Vergara Returning to Smurf Village

Sofia Vergara is planning to return to Smurf Village following her scene-stealing moments in The Smurfs

The 39-year-old Colombian actress—who received a Kids’ Choice Award nomination for Favorite Film Actress for her role in the CGI/live-action hybrid film—will participate in the sequel, according to Sony Pictures.

Sofia Vergara at Smurfs Premiere

Filming has reportedly already begun on the sequel with director Raja Gosnell and actors Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays and Hank Azaria, who portrays the evil Gargamel, back at work on the film.

In addition, George Lopez, Katy Perry, Alan Cumming and Anton Yelchin will return to provide the voices of their respective characters, with actress Christina Ricci added as a cast member.

In the second movie, part of the action will take place in Paris. Like the original film, the sequel will combine animation and real images using 3D technology.

The Smurfs, based on the books of Belgian artist Peyo, followed the beloved little blue man-like creatures from their village to the streets of New York City as they tried to escape Gargamel. The 2011 blockbuster earned $560 million worldwide.

The sequel is slated to open in theaters in July 2013.