The 51-year-old Latino actor has landed a recurring role opposite Rami Malek in Amateur, a new thriller James Hawes is directing for 20th Century Studios.
The film, for which Gary Spinelli penned the most recent draft, tells the story of Charles Heller (Malek), a CIA cryptographer who, after his wife is tragically killed in a London terrorist attack, demands his bosses go after them. When it becomes clear they won’t act due to conflicting internal priorities, he blackmails the agency into training him and letting him go after them himself.
Martinez is set for the role of Carlos, a CIA tech and Heller’s closest friend.
Hutch Parker and Dan Wilson are producing the film, with Malek exec producing.
Martinez can currently be seen playing Chris, the traffic cop buddy of Awkwafina’s Rebecca, in Chris McKay’s horror comedy Renfieldfor Universal, which hit theaters on April 14th.
The always-busy character actor is best known for roles in such films as Focusopposite Will Smith and Margot Robbie; The Secret Life of WalterMitty opposite Ben Stiller; Casa de mi Padre opposite Will Ferrell; I Feel Prettyopposite Amy Schumer; and Disney+’s live-action reimagining of Lady and the Tramp.
Martinez was a series regular on ABC’s Stumptown and boasts additional television credits including Paramount+’sNo Activityand NBC’s The Blacklist: Redemption.
Also on the actor’s slate of upcoming projects is the Netflix comedyUnfrosted marking the feature directorial debut of Jerry Seinfeld.
The 39-year-old half-Mexican American rapper, singer, songwriter record producer and actor has joined the voice cast of Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation’s next Trolls film.
The studios have unveiled the official title for the third film in their hit animated musical franchise, which opens in theaters nationwide on November 17.
Returning to lead the threequel,Trolls Band Together, as expected, are Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick.
In addition to Kid Cudi, others set for the film include Eric André, Daveed Diggs, Troye Sivan, Camila Cabello, Amy Schumer, Andrew Rannells, RuPaul Charles, Zosia Mamet, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Icona Pop collaborators Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt, Anderson .Paak, Ron Funches , Kunal Nayyar and Kenan Thompson.
Trolls is a jukebox musical franchise that has thus far grossed over $396M worldwide between 2016’s Trolls, which landed a Best Original Song Oscar nom for the Timberlake-voiced pop hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” and 2020’s somewhat pandemic-hampered Trolls World Tour.
The new film will pick up with trolls Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) after two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, at a point when they’re now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers: Floyd (Sivan), John Dory (André), Spruce (Diggs) and Clay (Cudi).
BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since. But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains —Velvet (Schumer) and Veneer (Rannells) — Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.
Walt Dohrn returned to direct Trolls Band Together after helming both past installments, with Trolls World Tour’s head of story Tim Heitz coming aboard as co-director, and Gina Shay returning as producer.
The Latino actor will appear in Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix comedyUnfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.
Martinez joins a roster of cast members that includes Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant, James Marsden,Jack McBrayer, Tom Lennon, Bobby Moynihan, Max Greenfield, Christian Slater and Sarah Cooper.
In addition to co-writing and directing the film, in his feature debut, Seinfeld is set to star.
Billed as a tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar and menacing milkmen, Unfrosted is set in 1963 Michigan. It will watch as sworn cereal rivals Kellogg’s and Post race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast forever. Information on the roles to be played by Seinfeld and the newly introduced members of his ensemble has not been disclosed.
Netflix won rights to the film in a competitive situation last year. Seinfeld’s relationship with co-CEO and CCO Ted Sarandos proved helpful in swinging the deal in the direction of the streamer.
The comedian and actor inked a deal worth an estimated $100M with Netflix in 2017, which brought it his popular interview series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, as well as the comedy specials Jerry Before Seinfeldand 23 Hours to Kill. Netflix also last year purchased global rights to stream episodes of Seinfeld’s classic sitcom of the same name for a five-year period.
Seinfeld and Spike Feresten wrote Unfrosted with Andy Robin & Barry Marder. Seinfeld, Feresten and Beau Bauman will produce the film, with Cherylanne Martin, Andy Robin and Barry Marder serving as executive producers.
Martinez is a veteran actor who recently made his feature directorial debut with the drama iGilbert, in which he also stars. He’ll next be seen in the Dracula comedyRenfieldfrom Universal.
This year’s lineup of talks and reunion screenings at the Tribeca Festival’, which will blend in-person and virtual events, will include 56-year-old Mexican Oscar-winning filmmaker.
Tribeca’s 20th edition is set for June 9 to June 20 and will be the first major film festival to host in-person events since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in early 2020.
The “storytellers” section will include Bradley Cooper in conversation with del Toro, as well as Amy Schumer in conversation with Emily Ratajkowski.
Other tandems will include Mike Jackson and John Legend of Get Lifted Film Company; screenwriter Scott Z. Burns and actor Matthew Rhys; Unorthodox star Shira Haas and actress/comedian Ali Wentworth; and Debbie Harry, Clem Burke and Chris Stein from the band Blondie.
“Each year the Tribeca Festival gathers the most esteemed names in film and entertainment for conversations that shine a light on the creative process,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises and the Tribeca Festival. “This year we are particularly proud that we can once again convene these talented names for in-person conversations as we discuss new ways our world and business is being reshaped and reimagined.”
Reunion screenings, an increasingly popular draw at the fest in recent years, will celebrate Fargo, Raging Bull, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Five Heartbeatsand Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid.
Another section focused on directors will feature Doug Liman, M. Night Shyamalan and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Additional Tribeca Talks events include Scott Rechler, CEO and Chairman of RXR Realty, recording two new episodes of his podcast, Recalibrate Reality: The Future of NY, and conversations with Jason Hirschhorn, CEO of REDEF, about the business of entertainment and the future of podcasting.
A restored version of Raging Bull will screen, along with a pre-recorded conversation with star Robert De Niro and director Martin Scorsese. The Kid, which is marking its 100th anniversary, will be celebrated in a special screening.
23-year-old Mexican and Cuban American singer and former Fifth Harmony member and John Legend have joined forces for crowdfunding campaign Free the Vote, which aims to restore voting rights in Florida for the formerly convicted.
Earlier this month, a Florida court ruled that people with felony convictions in Florida are required to pay off all of their fees and fines before they’re allowed to vote, putting 700,000 possible voters in jeopardy.
So Cabello and Legend have acted in response as Florida’s voter registration deadline looms on October 5, with public support from Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Schumer, Kerry Washington, Uzo Abuda and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Since its Tuesday launch, the campaign has received more than 5,000 donations amounting to over $400,000.
“I am so proud to call Florida my home. It is full of unique and compassionate people from all backgrounds and lived experiences,” Cabello tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Voting is one of the most important ways Americans can make their voices heard. It is this diversity of voices and experiences that makes the state such a special place to live, and every single one of those voices — including returning citizens — deserves to be heard and counted.
“Florida’s pay-to-vote system unjustly prevents some formerly convicted individuals from casting their ballots,” she adds. “This system also disproportionately impacts people of color, creating obstacles for these communities as they try to exercise their right to vote.”
In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 4, which ended the state’s lifetime ban on voting for former felons who completed their parole or probation periods and were not convicted of murder or sexual offenses. Legislators tried to limit the new law by imposing the fees and fines requirement, which was struck down in court, but then upheld on appeal September 11.
Aside from the public campaign, Legend has also quietly helped raise more than $20 million for the cause from private donors including Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Michael Bloomberg and LeBron James for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. More than 56,000 donations have been made to the organization, with the goal of raising $25 million.
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Earlier this month, a Florida court ruled that people with felony convictions in Florida are required to pay off all of their fees and fines before they’re allowed to vote, putting 700,000 possible voters in jeopardy.
So Cabello and Legend have acted in response as Florida’s voter registration deadline looms on October 5, with public support from Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Schumer, Kerry Washington, Uzo Abuda and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Since its Tuesday launch, the campaign has received more than 5,000 donations amounting to over $400,000.
“I am so proud to call Florida my home. It is full of unique and compassionate people from all backgrounds and lived experiences,” Cabello tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Voting is one of the most important ways Americans can make their voices heard. It is this diversity of voices and experiences that makes the state such a special place to live, and every single one of those voices — including returning citizens — deserves to be heard and counted.
“Florida’s pay-to-vote system unjustly prevents some formerly convicted individuals from casting their ballots,” she adds. “This system also disproportionately impacts people of color, creating obstacles for these communities as they try to exercise their right to vote.”
In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 4, which ended the state’s lifetime ban on voting for former felons who completed their parole or probation periods and were not convicted of murder or sexual offenses. Legislators tried to limit the new law by imposing the fees and fines requirement, which was struck down in court, but then upheld on appeal September 11.
Aside from the public campaign, Legend has also quietly helped raise more than $20 million for the cause from private donors including Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Michael Bloomberg and LeBron James for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. More than 56,000 donations have been made to the organization, with the goal of raising $25 million.
Tom Segurais bringing the jokes to the City of Angels…
The 40-year-old half-Peruvian American comedian is set to take part in Netflix’s Netflix is a Joke Fest, set forApril 27-May 3 in Los Angeles.
For one week, the streaming giant is partnering with Live Nationto bring more than 100 live shows and events to various venues in L.A. with recorded shows available on the platform later this year.
Netflix Is A Joke, Netflix’s comedy brand, will present the all-star fest that will include Segura, Cristela Alonzo, Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Jamie Foxx, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, Sebastian Maniscalco, the cast of Schitt’s Creekand more.
The festival will include a special Latino-themed stand up showtitled Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica. The show will feature a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.
In addition, the fest will feature STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ Celebration,putting the spotlight on LGBTQ+ comedic talent including Bianca del Rio, Wanda Sykes, Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnelland Sandra Bernhard.
The fest will close on May 3 with the very first The Hall,a first-of-its-kind hall of fame honoring the greats of stand-up comedy. Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes and others will pay homage to and induct comedy legends George Carlin, Richard Pryor,Joan Riversand Robin Williamsinto The Hall. The Hall will be taped at the Ace Theaterin L.A. and stream in May.
The Hallwill have a physical home in a newly designed wing of the National Comedy Centerin Jamestown, New York.
“It’s our honor to transform LA for one week into the funniest place on earth,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “This festival is a unique celebration of the art of comedy, and the role it plays in reflecting our lives and defining culture. It’s a chance for comedy lovers to come together and see their favorite artists as well as discover new ones, and for us to be able to share the electricity and excitement of the festival in Los Angeles with Netflix members around the world.”
The festival will take place across over 20 venues in L.A. including the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Palladium, The Largo and others.
Read the complete list of live and recorded events and shows below.
THE THEATRE AT ACE HOTEL The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (recorded) The best comedians of today honoring the greatest stand-up comedians of all-time. With appearances by Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, & Wanda Sykes.
THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL Chappelle’s An evening of music and comedy featuring Dave Chappelle and very special guests.
THE GREEK STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ celebration at The Greek Theatre (recorded) A Historic Celebration of the best in LGBTQ+ Comedy. Legends, headliners, and top emerging talent will share the same stage at The Greek Theatre for an unforgettable and unprecedented stand-up event with special guests and musical performances. Headliners include Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard and Wanda Sykes. Presenters include Demi Lovato, Graham Norton, Lily Tomlin, Ruby Rose. Featuring Bianca Del Rio, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, Lea DeLaria, Mae Martin, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, Rhea Butcher, Sam Jay, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Trixie Mattel and more. STAND OUT is produced by Page Hurwitz and Wanda Sykes for Push It Productions.
THE FONDA That’s My Time with David Letterman (recorded) Legendary late-night host David Letterman returns to his roots to showcase some of today’s finest stand up comedians to perform and then join him for a one-of-a-kind interview.
THE PALLADIUM Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jamie Foxx (recorded) Megastar and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx hosts this loaded lineup featuring some of his favorite comedians!
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Amy Schumer (recorded) Movie star and powerhouse standup Amy Schumer hosts this epic night filled with some of Netflix’s hottest comedians!
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Martin Lawrence (recorded) From Def Comedy Jam 25, superstar comedian Martin Lawrence returns to Netflix to host an evening of heavy hitting stand-up.
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin (recorded) Comedy icons and Grace & Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin host an evening of top notch stand-up from an all-lady lineup.
THE WILTERN
Sebastian Maniscalcolive
Ali Wong: The Milk and MoneyTourlive
2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer live podcast
The Degenerates Live Hosted by Jim Jefferies
The Degenerates is BACK and it’s LIVE. You loved the first two seasons of this no-holds-barred comedy show featuring the hottest rising stars of comedy. Now this crude and lewd show is hitting LA for a special Live edition hosted by Jim Jefferies featuring Big Jay Oakersen, Christina P, Ms. Pat, Robert Kelly and more.
Ronny Chieng live
Park Na-rae live
Ken Jeong live
Chelsea Handler live
THE ORPHEUM
Kevin Hart in Conversation – A moderated Q&A session with comedy superstar and business mogul Kevin Hart.
Iliza Shlesinger The Forever Tour
Schitt’s Creek: The Farewell Tour with Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy , Noah Reid, Emily Hampshire. Join Schitt’s Creek cast members for a live, interactive evening that promises to be fun and insightful while giving fans an insider’s look into the making of the series.
Jack Whitehall live
WILSHIRE EBELL
Mike Birbiglia live
Congratulations with Chris D’Elia live podcast
Michelle Wolf live
Middleditch & Schwartz improv live
PALACE
Norm Macdonald live
THE AVALON
Pete Davidson & Best Friends (recorded)
Pete Davidson and his friends are doing stand-up comedy for you and your friends.
Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica(recorded)
Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica is a loaded stand up show featuring a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.
The India All Star Show hosted by Vir Das (recorded)
The India All Star Show is jam packed with the best stand up comedians from India featuring performances in both Hindi and English. Special guests include: Aditi Mittal, Amit Tandon, Kanan Gill, Kaneez Surka, Kenny Sebastian, Prashasti Singh, and Sumukhi Suresh.
REGENT
Marlon Wayans live
Russell Howard live
Deon Cole live
Christina Pazsitzky live
Vir Das live
LARGO
Jacqueline Novak Get On Your Knees live
Jenny Slate live
Katherine Ryan live
Tom Papa & Fortune Feimster live
Whitney Cummings & Friends live
DYNASTY TYPEWRITER
Cristela Alonzo live
Taylor Tomlinson live
Catherine Cohen live
London Hughes live
Mo Gilligan live
The Endless Honeymoon with Moshe Kasher & Natasha Leggero live podcast
COMEDY UNION
The Arsenio Hall Comedy Showcase (recorded for SiriusXM)
Arsenio Hall presents a lineup of the funniest comedians in LA at the legendary Comedy Union.
IMPROV
Whindersson Nunes & Friends live
They Ready Live live
Luenell live
IMPROV LAB AND IMPROV LAB
Janelle James & Friends live
Trevor Wilson live
Pat live
LAUGH FACTORY
Best of Canada live
THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL
Tim Dillon live
Chad Goes Deep “Going Deep” live podcast
THE BELASCO
Felipe Esparza live
DETAILS FORTHCOMING
Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell Season 2 (recorded)
Best buds Jeff Ross and Dave Attell are bringing their uncut savagery for an all new season of Bumping Mics. Inviting friends and special guests from all over comedy to hang, riff and roast one another. No mic will go un-bumped.
The Latino actor has landed the role of Elliot, a dog-catcher, in Disney’s live-action/CG hybrid update of the animated classic Lady and the Tramp.
Martinez, last seen opposite Amy Schumer in the comedy I Feel Pretty, joins Kiersey Clemons, Thomas Mann, Yvette Nicole Brown as part of the live cast along with Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux as the voices for Lady and Tramp.
Charlie Bean is directing the film based on the 1955 original, which followed an upper-middle-class American cocker spaniel named Lady who meets a streetsmart, downtown stray mongrel called Tramp, and the two embark on many romantic adventures including that iconic spaghetti smooch dinner scene.
The film will be released on Disney’s forthcoming streaming service that’s slated to launch in fall 2019.
Martinez’s credits include WB’s Focus and Office Christmas Party.
The film centers on an advertising executive who returns to his Spanish village, where as a student he made a film based on Don Quixote, only to get entangled in a series of catastrophes.
Gilliam co-wrote the script with Tony Grisoni and Amazon Studios will distribute the film domestically.
The 41-year-old Spanish actor will star opposite Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn in the still untitled mother-daughter adventure comedy in a yet-to-be-revealed role.
The 20th Century Foxpic is directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Katie Dippold, who drew inspiration from her relationship with her mother.
Jaenada won a Goya Award for his portrayal of legendary flamenco dancer Camaron de la Isla in Camaron: When Flamenco Became Legend, and will next be seen opposite Blake Lively this summer in the Cannes Film Festival thriller The Shallows, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.
The 47-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor has been added to the lineup for SiriusXM Comedy Greats, a new channel from the satellite radio company that will broadcast comedy 24/7 for the first time, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In addition to Louis C.K., who recently earned six Emmy nominations, Jerry Seinfeld, Lewis Black, Amy Schumer, George Carlin, Ellen DeGeneres, Kevin Hart, Bill Maher, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Joan Rivers are also noted as some of more than a hundred notable comics of past and present that will be showcased on air.
The new channel will also feature regular countdown takeovers, hosted by guests like Bill Burr, Jim Gaffigan and Ed Helms, who will discuss their personal favorites and professional influences.
Additionally, Dan Akyroyd, Adam Carolla, Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Hader, George Lopez, Howie Mandel, Marc Maron and Russell Brand will share vignette-like stories about comedians who have changed their lives.
SiriusXM Comedy Greats will launch Aug. 13, with a special hosted by Jim Norton, in which he counts down the top 50 comedy greats of all time (selected by listeners and the SiriusXM comedy team). It’s available on channel 94, as well as online, on demand and through the SiriusXM app.
The film, for which Gary Spinelli penned the most recent draft, tells the story of Charles Heller (Malek), a CIA cryptographer who, after his wife is tragically killed in a London terrorist attack, demands his bosses go after them. When it becomes clear they won’t act due to conflicting internal priorities, he blackmails the agency into training him and letting him go after them himself.
