Sofia Carson to Star Opposite KJ Apa in the Pandemic Thriller “Songbird”

Sofia Carson is flying high…

The 27-year-old Colombian American actress/singer will star opposite KJ Apa as star-crossed lovers in the pandemic thriller Songbird, which began filming last week in Los Angeles.

Sofia Carson

Told from street level through the eyes of the characters, Songbirdtakes place two years into the future, as a lockdown has been re-implemented after a more serious virus continues to mutate. In a feeble attempt to keep the sickness contained, the city has been split into haves and have nots. 

Songbird follows an essential worker (Apa) who has a rare immunity, a delivery man who delivers goods and hope throughout the city. Like the vast majority of the population, his girlfriend (Carson) is locked within her home, and the couple have no ability to physically be together. 

To be with the one he loves, he must overcome martial law, murderous vigilantes and a powerful, well connected family, helmed by a matriarch (Demi Moore) who will stop at nothing to protect her family and maintain her way of life.

Carson and Apa join the previously announced cast of Moore, Bradley WhitfordCraig RobinsonJenna OrtegaPaul Walter Hauser, and Peter Stormare

Adam Mason is directing off a screenplay he co-wrote with Simon Boyes. The film hails from Adam Goodman and Michael Bay.

Carson has more than 18 million followers on social media, over 1.5 billion streams of her music and over 2M subscribers to her YouTube channel. 

She currently stars in the Netflix feature film Feel the Beat. She previously starred as “Evie” in Disney’s Descendantsfranchjse and appeared on the Freeform series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists

Carson is signed to Hollywood Records/Republic Records and recently released her latest single “Miss U More Than U Know”, which has clocked more than 4.5 million streams to date. Carson is a Global Ambassador for Revlon, and recently unveiled the Revlon x Sofia Carson Collection, an exclusive collection of her favorite Revlon lip products and nail polish. 

Royo Lands Recurring Role on Showtime’s Comedy Pilot “Happyish”

Andre Royo has reason to be happyish

The 46-year-old Afro-Cuban American actor has landed a recurring role on Showtime’s comedy pilot Happyish as a recurring.

Andre Royo

Described as a comedic, soul-searching examination of our pursuit of happiness, Happyish centers on Thom Payne (portrayed by Steve Coogan) – a 44-year-old man whose world is thrown into disarray when his 25-year-old “wunderkind” boss arrives. Kathryn Hahn and Bradley Whitford co-star, with Carrie Preston and Molly Price on board in recurring roles.

Royo, best known for his role as Reginald “Bubbles” Cousins on HBO’s The Wire, will portray Barry, a former corporate lawyer who followed his heart to the Family Court, only to find it even more depressing than Corporate Law was.

His other television credits include appearances on Fringe, Party Down and How to Make It in America.

Full Trailer Released for the Rodriguez-Starrer “CBGB”

Freddy Rodriguez is celebrating a piece of music history on film…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican actor stars as Idaho in the historical drama CBGB, the true story of the New York City rock club that spawned such acts as the Ramones, the Talking Heads and Blondie.

Freddy Rodriguez

Starring Alan Rickman as the club’s colorful founder Hilly Kristal, the film – which saw the release of it’s full trailer this week – features a large ensemble that includes Donal Logue, Ashley Greene, Johnny Galecki and Bradley Whitford.

The film crams in more than 60 songs and a dozen on-camera performances including Malin Ackerman as Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry, Rupert Grint and Justin Bartha as the Dead BoysCheetah Chrome and Stiv Bators and Foo FightersTaylor Hawkins as Iggy Pop.

“These kids have something to say,” Kristal tells a TV news crew. “We really should listen.”

Directed by Randall Miller, CBGB opens this fall.

Beals’ “Lauren” Returning for Second Season on YouTube

Jennifer Beals is suiting up for another commanding run on the Internet…

The 49-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress, who is starring in ABC’s sudsy pilot Venice, will be returning this spring for a second season of YouTube’s scripted drama Lauren.

Jennifer Beals in Lauren

Starring Troian Bellisario in the titular role, the series centers on a female sergeant trying to find justice after being raped by three soldiers. She finds no sympathy in her commanding officer Major Jo Stone, portrayed by Beals.

Lauren, which debuted with three episodes last summer, will be back for a 12-episode and continue to explore the consequences of dealing with sexual assault in the military.

In addition to Beals and Bellisario, the series stars Raymond Cruz, Bradley Whitford and Justine Ezarik.

Lauren’s second season is set to in the spring on YouTube’s WIGS channel.

The three episodes from Lauren’s first season can be viewed on http://www.youtube.com/wigs.