Eduardo Cisneros Signs with Independent Artist Group

Eduardo Cisneros has new representation…

Independent Artist Group has signed the 46-year-old Mexican writer and producer, who is the co-creator of Apple TV+’s Eugenio Derbez-starrer Acapulco and co-writer of Focus Features’ comedy Half Brothers, for representation.

Eduardo CisnerosCisneros also serves as executive producer and writer of Acapulco, a comedy series now in its third season, which has been a critical success, with an average audience score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, winning the Imagen Award for Best Primetime Comedy, as well as earning nominations at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the HCA Television Awards.

Cisneros teamed up with his Acapulco creative partner and frequent collaborator Jason Shuman to script Half Brothers, which became a Top 10 hit around the world when it was released on Netflix last year.

The duo’s production company Raqmar recently wrapped up a multi-year first look feature deal at Sony.

Development projects emerging from that deal include Telenovela, which Cisneros is writing to direct with Montecito producing, and The Big Day, which Shuman and Cisneros are co-writing and producing.

Outside of that deal, the pair wrote a reboot of the sci-fi comedy Short Circuit for Spyglass and are developing a series project with Warner Bros. Television.

Cisneros’s other work as a producer includes the drama To Leslie, which brought star Andrea Riseborough her first Academy Award nomination, and the critical darling The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, which premiered at TIFF in 2019.

Currently, he’s working on his feature directorial debut, The Resurrectionist, as well as the short Bespoke, which will shoot in Amsterdam in May.

The creative’s career started at a young age in his native Mexico, where he would go on to co-create two of the most successful Spanish-language television comedy shows of recent years: XHDRBZ and La familia P. Luche.

Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, he’s on the advisory board of the Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise and is a founding member of LA Clubhouse, a professional organization devoted to empowering film and television writers of LGBTQIA+ Latinx background.

AppleTV+ Orders Four-Part Docuseries About Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Experience

Lionel Messi’s most recent World Cup experience is getting the documentary treatment…

A four-part docuseries about the 35-year-old Argentine soccer superstar, from Smuggler Entertainment’s Tim Pastore, Patrick Milling-Smith, Brian Carmody and Matt Renner, is heading to Apple TV+.

Lionel Messi,With exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, the as-yet untitled series filmed in Paris, Qatar and Argentina, tracks the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner through his five FIFA World Cup appearances and his FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 win, one of the most exciting finals in history.

In his own words, Messi tells the definitive story of his career with the Argentina national football team, providing an intimate and unprecedented look at his quest for a legacy-defining World Cup victory.

The docuseries is executive produced by Emmy winner Pastore, Emmy and Tony Award winners Smith and Carmody, and Emmy winner Renner of Smuggler Entertainment, alongside Jon Henion and Juan Camilo Cruz.

Filmmakers followed Messi throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. From Qatar’s training grounds to the chaos of press junkets to the quiet contemplation of Messi’s private room, the series looks at the public and private worlds of Messi, as well as that of his loyal supporters across Argentina and those who made the pilgrimage to Qatar.

The series also features the most personal interviews to date with Messi, alongside conversations with teammates, coaches, competitors, fans, and commentators. The docuseries charts the dramatic path of his first match with the Argentina national football team where he was shown a red card in his first minute, to carrying the weight of a country on his shoulders through several elusive World Cup wins, leading to his early retirement in 2016, and ultimately the comeback to become a FIFA World Cup champion and be crowned the 2022 tournament’s best player.

The docuseries is produced for Apple by Smuggler Entertainment, and produced in association with Pegsa.

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

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.

Aimee CarreroProduction 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.

 

Alicia Sanz Starring in the Psychological Horror-Thriller “Open House”

It’s Open season for Alicia Sanz.

The 34-year-old Spanish actress is starring opposite Raúl Castillo in topline Open House, a recently-wrapped psychological horror-thriller written and directed by the duo of David Charbonier and Justin Powell.

Alicia SanzThe film from Kinogo Pictures and Mad Descent, which shot in Los Angeles, follows a realtor who must survive a night of terror when a deranged client shows up at her open house.

Ryan Scaringe produced along with Charbonier and Powell, with Amy Lippens and Jilbert Daniel being joined as executive producerss by Sanz and Castillo. UTA Independent Film Group is repping worldwide sales.

Charbonier and Powell made their feature directorial debut with 2020’s The Boy Behind the Door — a critically acclaimed horror-thriller starring Lonnie Chavis that was released by Shudder after premiering at Fantastic Fest. The pair subsequently wrote, directed and exec produced The Djinn, a supernatural horror released by IFC Midnight in 2021.

Perhaps best known for starring in the historical action-drama series El Cid from Prime Video and the thriller series Now and Then from Apple TV+, Sanz has also previously been seen on such series as Shots Fired and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, among others.

Her notable film credits include the thriller Billionaire Boys Club with Ansel Elgort, and April Mullen’s upcoming sci-fi thriller Hello Stranger with Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster, Simu Liu and Sam Worthington.

Castillo is a Gotham and Independent Spirit Award nominee who recently starred opposite Jeremy Pope in Elegance Bratton’s acclaimed feature directorial debut The Inspection for A24.

The actor has also recently appeared in such acclaimed films as HustleCha Cha Real Smooth and Army of the Dead, among others.

His notable TV credits include The Accidental Wolf, VidaAtypicalSeven Seconds and Looking.

Selena Gomez Partnering with Stacey Abrams to Produce Music Documentary “Won’t Be Silent”

Selena Gomez won’t be silent

The 30-year-old Mexican American singer/actress has teamed up with Stacey Abrams to produce an upcoming music documentary for Discovery+, which began production on Wednesday, December 14, according to Deadline.

Selena Gomez The Kristi Jacobson-directed film titled Won’t Be Silent, is set to celebrate music from female artists that have had a global impact on various issues.

“The powerful women we will be highlighting are not only talented but have been on the frontline of pushing culture forward and holding a mirror up to political and social injustices,” Gomez said in a statement received by the publication.

“Throughout history, women in music have used their art as activism by bringing attention to issues impacting our nation and world. Won’t Be Silent is a celebration of the artists who have contributed to bettering the world through their timeless music,” Abrams added.

Gomez’ latest effort follows her recent, introspective documentary, AppleTV+’s My Mind & Me, which details her years-long struggles with mental health, lupus, heartbreak and the highs and lows of fame.

“It’s OK to feel not good enough and to feel like you’re complicated and complex. It’s just about having a healthy relationship with how you talk to yourself, how you seek help, how you talk to other people,” Gomez said at the Los Angeles premiere of the film, of what she hopes people will take from the film. “I hope this starts a chain reaction of people saying, ‘Hey, I want to say something about my mental health. I want to talk about it and seek help.’ That’s one of the bravest things someone can do. Even if just one person is impacted by this film, I would consider myself the luckiest girl.”

Ariana DeBose to Appear on Season Two of AppleTV’s “Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock”

Ariana DeBose is heading back to the rock

Apple TV+ has renewed its Emmy-winning series Fraggle Rock: Back To The Rock for a second season, with the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer added as a guest star.

Ariana DeBose,DeBose will be joined by Daveed Diggs, who appeared in the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Night of the Lights holiday special, as well as Brett Goldstein and Catherine O’Hara in guest-starring roles.

Production on Season 2 of the reboot of Jim Henson’s beloved classic Fraggle Rock is underway in Calgary, Canada.

In Season 2, big changes affecting the Rock, the Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs will force them to confront their past and celebrate their interdependence, as they move through challenges together with hope, silliness, and brand new songs, all while dancing their cares away…down at Fraggle Rock.

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock was recently recognized by the Sentinel Awards for outstanding Children’s Programming and is coming off four nominations by the inaugural Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series, and winning for Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design.

The complete first season of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Night of the Lights holiday special are now streaming on Apple TV+.

America Ferrera to Star in Sony & Black Bear Pictures’ Upcoming Dramedy “Dumb Money”

America Ferrera is makin’ money moves…

The 38-year-old Honduran American award-winning actress has joined the cast of Sony and Black Bear Pictures’ upcoming dramedy Dumb Money.

America FerreraFerrera is now part of an A-list ensemble cast that includes Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, Anthony Ramos, Vincent D’Onofrio, Dane DeHaan and Pete Davidson, with Craig Gillespie directing.

The film is based on Ben Mezrich’s book The Antisocial Network. It tells the story of fortunes won and lost overnight in the David-vs.-Goliath GameStop short squeeze that may have ended up changing Wall Street forever. It offers a gripping portrayal of how a loosely affiliated group of private investors and internet trolls on a subreddit called WallStreetBets took down one of the biggest hedge funds on Wall Street, firing the first shot in a revolution that threatened to upend the establishment.

The script was adapted by Rebecca Angelo & Lauren Schuker Blum.

Principal photography is underway.

Ferrera can be seen next year in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie alongside Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu and Kate McKinnon. She recently starred on the Apple TV+ series WeCrashed opposite Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway.

She is making her feature directorial debut with an adaptation of Erika Sánchez’s New York Times bestselling novel  I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter for Netflix.

Miguel Sandoval to Star in Apple’s Private Detective Series “Sugar”

Miguel Sandoval has landed a sweet role…

The 70-year-old Latino actir will star in Apple’s Colin Farrell-led series Sugar.

Miguel SandovalSandoval is among a bevy of new cast additions that includes Nate CorddrySydney ChandlerElizabeth Anweis and Jason Butler Harner.

The L.A.-set contemporary take on a private detective story also stars Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Amy Ryan, Anna Gunn, James Cromwell, Dennis Boutsikaris, Alex Hernandez and Lindsay Pulsipher.

It was created by Mark Protosevich with Fernando Meirelles directing.

The project hails from Apple Studios.

Last year, the streamer won a heated auction for the project, beating out Netflix.

Sugar marks the second collaboration for Kinberg’s Genre Films and Apple TV+ and will stream alongside the global hit series Invasion, which recently received a second-season renewal.

Sandoval’s previous credits include Sharp Objects, Barry and Medium.

Eva Noblezada to Star in Apple Original Films & Skydance Animation’s “Luck”

Eva Noblezada is feelin’ Luck-y…

Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation’s Luck, starring the 25-year-old half-Mexican American actress and singer, will debut on AppleTV+ across the world on Friday, August 5.

Eva NoblezadaNoblezada is among a list of new cast additions that includes Simon Pegg, Flula Borg, Lil Rel Howery, Colin O’Donoghue, John Ratzenberger and Adelynn Spoon.

They’ll star alongside Jane Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg.

Luck centers around the story of Sam Greenfield, the unluckiest person in the world. When she discovers the never-before-seen Land of Luck, Sam must unite with the magical creatures there to turn her luck around.

Broadway star Noblezada (HadestownMiss Saigon) will provide the voice for the character of Sam. When she ages out of foster care, Sam discovers the Land of Luck and embarks on a quest that could change her luck forever.

Jorge Lopez to Star in AppleTV+’s Bilingual Thriller Series “Now and Then”

Jorge Lopez is preparing for a thriller of a project…

The 29-year-old Chilean actor has been cast in AppleTV+’s bilingual thriller series Now and Then.

Jorge Lopez

Lopez has been added to a list of cast newcomers that includes Alicia Jaziz, Dario Yazbek Bernal, Alicia Sanz, Jack Duarte and Miranda de la Serna.

The Spanish and English series hails from Bambú Producciones and creators Ramón Campos, Teresa Fernández-Valdés and Gema R. Neira, the team behind the Spanish series Velvet, Cable Girls and Gran Hotel. Gideon Raff will executive produce and direct the first two episodes.

Set in Miami, Now and Then explores the differences between youthful aspirations and the reality of adulthood, when the lives of a group of college best friends are forever changed after a celebratory weekend ends up with one of them dead. Now, 20 years later, the remaining five are reluctantly reunited by a threat that puts their seemingly perfect worlds at risk.

Lopez joins as as Alejandro, a dedicated and athletic young man with a bright future. He’s the glue that holds his group of friends together and always does what is expected without thinking of his own happiness.

Jaziz will appear as Young Ana, a younger version of Ana (Marina de Tavira), a smart and ambitious woman who put her political career on hold to support her husband’s.

Yazbek Bernal plays Young Pedro, a younger version of Pedro (José María Yazpik), a complex politician married to Ana, he feels entangled in a life that doesn’t belong to him.

Sanz will take on Young Sofia, a younger version of Sofia (Maribel Verdú), a strong self-made lawyer who’s life took an unexpected turn 20 years ago and is now hiding too many secrets.

Duarte appears as Young Marcos, a younger version of Marcos (Manolo Cardona), a passionate surgeon who sacrificed his dreams for his family and friends.

de la Serna plays Young Daniela, a younger version of Daniela (Soledad Villamil), an introspective artist who constantly struggles to overcome a traumatic event from her past.

Campos and Fernández-Valdés will serve as showrunners, and the series will be written by Neira and Campos with their team. Bambú Producciones will produce the series for Apple TV+.

Lopez is best known for his first major role in the the Disney Channel Latin American telenovela Soy Luna. He also played Valerio in the Netflix series Elite.