Camila Cabello to Star in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s “Rob Peace”

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Camila Cabello is heading back to the big screen…

The 25-year-old Mexican/Cuban singer/actress will star in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Rob Peace.

Cabello, who made her acting debut in Prime Video’s Cinderella, will star opposite Jay Will, Mary J. Blige Ejiofor in the drama Ejiofor is directing from his own script, as his sophomore feature effort.

The film, currently in production, is based on Jeff Hobbs’ bestselling biography The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League.

It follows Robert Peace (Will), a young man who grew up in a crime-ridden section of Newark, NJ and later graduated from Yale with degrees in molecular biophysics and biochemistry earned on scholarship. Peace led a dual life living in the insular world of academia and as a lab researcher of cancer and infectious diseases, while at the same time making six figures from the sale of marijuana. He was killed in a drug-related shooting in 2011.

Cabello will play Peace’s fellow Yale student Naya, with Blige and Ejiofor as his mother and father.

LAMF presents Rob Peace, in association with Hill District Media and Participant, a Sugar Peace production.

Cabello is a Latin Grammy, AMA and Billboard Music Award winner who, before going solo, broke out as a member of Fifth Harmony, one of the top-selling girl groups in history.

In 2021 she emerged as the first Hispanic woman to achieve RIAA Diamond status with her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash “Havana” [feat. Young Thug], and that same year found her first major film role as the lead of Kay Cannon’s Cinderella — a modern, musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale from Prime Video, which had her starring opposite Billy Porter.

Cabello’s career in music has seen her collaborate with everyone from Ed Sheeran to Shawn Mendes and Machine Gun Kelly, with her work thus far amassing streams in the billions. Her most recent studio album, Familia — following 2018’s Camila and 2019’s Romance — was released last year via Epic Records.

Xochitl Gomez to Star in the “Doctor Strange” Sequel “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Strange time for Xochitl Gomez…

The Latina actress has joined the cast of Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in which Benedict Cumberbatch returns to reprise the title character and Sam Raimi takes over directing duties.

Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor also are expected to reprise their roles from the original film as, respectively, fellow sorcerer Wong and Strange’s compatriot-turned-nemesis Karl Mordo.

And Elizabeth Olsen has been tapped to reprise her role as Scarlet Witch, aka Wanda Maximoff, for a storyline that Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has said will link up with her Disney Plus series WandaVision that debuts in December.

Plot details and Gomez’s character are still unknown at this time.

Production will begin after Cumberbatch finishes filming the next Spider-Man film, where he’ll be playing Doctor Strange.

Raimi replaces original director Scott Derrickson, who departed the project in January due to creative differences.

Gomez’s previous credits include Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club and Gentefied, as well as Raven’s Home, Roped and Shadow Wolves.

Sheen to Portray Oral Roberts in “Come Sunday”

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Martin Sheen is getting religious for his next role…

The 76-year-old half Spanish American actor will portray famed Pentecostal televangelist Oral Roberts in Come Sunday.

Based on a true story, the film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as a renowned evangelical minister in Tulsa, Oklahoma who stirs up controversy with his revelation that there is no hell.

The film is being directed by Joshua Marston from a script by Marcus Hinchey. The movie is based on a 2005 This American Life radio episode. The film also co-stars Broadway’s Condola Rashad as the minister’s wife.

Sheen will portray the founder of The Oral Roberts University and a mentor who treats Carlton (Ejiofor) like his own son until the young man denounces the existence of hell. Then he must publicly turn against the young pastor.

Sheen, who is one of the country’s leading activists who gives a voice to both political and human rights causes, last starred as a priest in Terrence Malick’s spiritual fable The Vessel from Cuban-American writer/director Julio Quintana. Sheen also had a supporting role in Warren Beatty’s Rules Don’t Apply and starred for seven seasons as President Bartlet on The West Wing. He also enjoyed a supporting role in Netflix’s Grace and Frankie.

Trejo to Participate in This Year’s Red Nose Day Special on NBC

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Rudolph-like moment for Danny Trejo…

The 72-year-old Mexican American actor, best known for portraying villains and anti-heroes, has signed on for NBC’s Red Nose Day Special.

The fundraiser, which aims to help lift kids out of poverty, will be broadcast live on May 26 from 9:00 – 11:oo pm ET on NBC.

The special, hosted by Craig Ferguson, features comedy, musical performances and short films that shed light on children in need here at home and around the world.

Also scheduled to make an appearance on the special are Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tony Hale, Iwan Rheon, Sterling K. Brown, Yvette Nicole Brown, Margot Robbie, Jane Lynch, Connie Britton, Jay Pharaoh, Mayim Bialik, Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Key & Peele, Anna Kendrick, Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Ellie Kemper, along with Kristen Bell, Emma Watson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Rose Byrne, Blake Griffin, Emma Thompson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Steve Buscemi, Adam Devine and Ron Funches. Additional talent will be announced at a later date.

Created by Oscar nominee and Emmy-winning writer-director Richard Curtis, the idea of Red Nose Day was built upon the foundation that mass media and celebrities can help raise money and awareness of poverty to save and change millions of lives.

Red Nose Day has raised more than $1 billion globally in the last 25 years, and in the UK has become a cultural phenomenon where people across the country come together to have fun, raise money and change lives.

Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015, and raised more than $23 million, with the money now at work in all 50 states and 15 countries internationally through programs to keep children and young people safe, healthy and educated.

Lopez to Serve as a Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Ceremony

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez has a date with Oscar…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and American Idol judge has been added to the list of presenters for this year’s Academy Awards show.

Lopez, rose to acclaim after starring in Selena, has more than 25 films to her credit.

She joins a roster that includes the following new additons: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Murphy and Margot Robbie.

Previously announced presenters include Zoë Saldaña and Jared Leto.

Neil Patrick Harris hosts the 87th ceremony, which will air live on ABC on Sunday, February 22, from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Gonzalez Iñárritu’s “Birdman” Earns Six London Critics’ Circle Film Awards Nominations

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu’s awards season just keeps getting better…

The 51-year-old Mexican filmmaker’s critically acclaimed film Birdman has picked up six nominations from the London Critics’ Circle.

In addition to earning a nomination in the Film of the Year category as the film’s producer, Gonzalez Iñárritu also picked up two individual nods. He’s up for Director of the Year for helming the dark comedy starring Michael Keaton, as well as Screenwriter of the Year for co-penning the script.

Meanwhile, Birdman lenser Emmanuel Lubezki is nominated in the Technical Achievement Award category for his cinematography on the film.

Gonzalez Iñárritu and Lubezki have earned a lot of love already this awards season, earning recognition from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Gotham Independent Film Awards.

The awards are voted on by leading print, online and broadcast film critics.

Last year’s top winners, — 12 Years A Slave, Alfonso Cuaron, Cate Blanchett and Chiwetel Ejiofor — were all mirrored at the BAFTA Awards.

This year’s winners will be announced on January 18 in London.

Here’s the list of categories featuring Latino nominees:

FILM OF THE YEAR
Birdman
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Ida
Leviathan
Mr Turner
Nightcrawler
The Theory Of Everything
Under The Skin
Whiplash

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Wes Anderson – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Jonathan Glazer – Under The Skin
Alejandro G Iñárritu – Birdman
Richard Linklater – Boyhood
Mike Leigh – Mr Turner

SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
Wes Anderson – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Damien Chazelle – Whiplash
Dan Gilroy – Nightcrawler
Alejandro G Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris & Armando Bo – Birdman
 Richard Linklater – Boyhood

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
’71 – Chris Wyatt, editing
Birdman – Emmanuel Lubezki, cinematography
Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes – Joe Letteri, visual effects
The Grand Budapest Hotel – Adam Stockhausen, production design
Inherent Vice – Mark Bridges, costumes
Leviathan – Mikhail Krichman, cinematography
Mr Turner – Dick Pope, cinematography
A Most Violent Year – Kasia Walicka-Maimone, costumes
Under The Skin – Mica Levi, score
Whiplash – Tom Cross, editing

Open Road Films to Release Collins Jr.’s “Triple Nine” in September 2015

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

All heist will be on Clifton Collins Jr. next September…

Open Road Films has announced plans to release Triple Nine, starring the 44-year-old Mexican and Spanish American actor, on September 11, 2015.

In addition to Collins Jr., the John Hillcoat-directed heist thriller also stars Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Teresa Palmer, Gal Gadot and Norman Reedus.

Triple Nine centers on a crew of dirty cops who are blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for “officer down.” Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge.

Collins, Jr. to Star in John Hillcoat’s Cop Drama “Triple Nine”

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Clifton Collins, Jr. is on Cloud Nine, Nine, Nine…

The 43-year-old Mexican and Spanish American actor has joined the cast of John Hillcoat’s cop drama Triple Nine.

Collins, Jr., last seen on the big screen in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim, joins Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet in the Matt Cook-scripted drama about a crew of dirty cops who are blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for “officer down”. Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack. That triggers double-crosses, greed and revenge.

Triple Nine will begin shooting next month.

Peña to Star in the Heist Thriller “Triple Nine”

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Michael Peña is heading back to the force…

The 36-year-old Mexican American actor, who earned a Spirit Award nomination for his performance in the police drama End of Watch, will star in the heist thriller Triple Nine.

Directed by John Hillcoat, the drama centers on a crew of dirty cops that is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for “officer down.” Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie officer they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge.

In addition to Peña, the film’s all-star cast includes Fruitvale Station’s Michael B. Jordan, Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, Warm Bodies’ Teresa Palmer and Gal Gadot, 12 Years A Slave‘s Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck and Kate Winslet.

Open Road Films, which just completed a deal to pre-buy domestic distribution rights on Triple Nine, plans to release the film in 2015.

Isaacs Earns Spirit Award Nomination for His Role in “Inside Llewyn Davis”

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Isaacs’ awards season is off to a great start…

The 33-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban actor has earned a Spirit Award nomination for his critically acclaimed role in Inside Llewyn Davis, which was nominated for Best Feature.

Isaacs is up for Best Male Lead against Nebraska’s Bruce Dern, 12 Years a Slave’s Chiwetel Ejiofor, Fruitvale Station’s Michael B Jordan, Dallas Buyers Club’s Matthew McConaughey and All is Lost’s Robert Redford.

Melonie Diaz has earned a nod for Best Supporting Female for her role in Fruitvale Station.

Film Independent’s 29th Spirit Awards will be held on March 1 in Santa Monica with Patton Oswalt hosting.

Here’s the full list of 2014 nominees:

BEST FEATURE
12 Years A Slave
All Is Lost
Frances Ha
Inside Llewyn Davis
Nebraska

BEST DIRECTOR
Shane Carruth, Upstream Color
J.C. Chandor, All Is Lost
Steve McQueen, 12 Years A Slave
Jeff Nichols, Mud
Alexander Payne, Nebraska

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
Gaby Hoffmann, Crystal Fairy
Brie Larson, Short Term 12
Shailene Woodley, The Spectacular Now

BEST MALE LEAD
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years A Slave
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Michael B Jordan, Fruitvale Station
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Robert Redford, All Is Lost

BEST SCREENPLAY
Woody Allen, Blue Jasmine
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater, Before Midnight
Nicole Holofcener, Enough Said
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, The Spectacular Now
John Ridley, 12 Years A Slave

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Melonie Diaz, Fruitvale Station
Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Yolonda Ross, Go For Sisters
June Squibb, Nebraska

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Will Forte, Nebraska
James Gandolfini, Enough Said
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Keith Stanfield, Short Term 12

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Lake Bell, In A World
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Don Jon
Bob Nelson, Nebraska
Jill Soloway, Afternoon Delight
Mike Starrbury, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Sean Bobbitt, 12 Years A Slave
Benoit Debie, Spring Breakers
Bruno Delbonnel, Inside Llewyn Davis
Frank G. Demarco, All Is Lost
Matthias Grunsky, Computer Chess

BEST EDITING
Shane Carruth & David Lowery, Upstream Color
Jem Cohen & Marc Vives, Museum Hours
Frank G. Demarco,
All Is Lost
Matthias Grunsky, Computer Chess
Nat Sanders, Short Term 12

BEST DOCUMENTARY
20 Feet From Stardom, Director/Producer: Morgan Neville, Producers: Gil Friesen & Caitrin Rogers
After Tiller, Directors/Producers: Martha Shane & Lana Wilson Gideon’s Army, Director/Producer: Dawn Porter, Producer: Julie Goldman
The Act of Killing, Director/Producer: Joshua Oppenheimer, Producers: Joram Ten Brink, Christine Cynn, Anne Köhncke, Signe Byrge Sørensen, Michael Uwemedimo
The Square, Director: Jehane Noujaim, Producer: Karim Amer

BEST INT’L FILM
A Touch of Sin (China)
Blue is the Warmest Color (France)
Gloria (Chile)
The Great Beauty (Italy)
The Hunt (Denmark)

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Blue Caprice, Director/Producer: Alexandre Moors; Producers: Kim Jackson, Brian O’Carroll, Isen Robbins, Will Rowbotham, Ron Simons, Aimee Schoof, Stephen Tedeschi
Concussion, Director: Stacie Passon, Producer: Rose Troche Fruitvale Station, Director: Ryan Coogler; Producers: Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker
Una Noche, Director/Producer: Lucy Mulloy, Producers: Sandy Pérez Aguila, Maite Artieda, Daniel Mulloy, Yunior Santiago
Wadjda, Director: Haifaa Al Mansour, Producers: Gerhard Meixner, Roman Paul

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (best feature made for under $500,000)
Computer Chess, Writer/Director: Andrew Bujalski, Producers: Houston King & Alex Lipschultz
Crystal Fairy, Writer/Director: Sebastiàn Silva, Producers: Juan de Dios Larraín & Pablo Larraín
Museum Hours, Writer/Director: Jem Cohen, Producers: Paolo Calamita & Gabriele Kranzelbinder
Pit Stop, Writer/Director: Yen Tan, Writer: David Lowery, Producers: Jonathan Duffy, James M. Johnston, Eric Steele, Kelly Williams
This is Martin Bonner, Writer/Director: Chad Hartigan, Producer: Cherie Saulter

17th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD
Toby Halbrooks & James M. Johnston
Jacob Jaffke
Andrea Roa
Frederick Thornton

20th ANNUAL SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD
My Sister’s Quinceañera, Director: Aaron Douglas Johnston Newlyweeds, Director: Shaka King
The Foxy Merkins, Director: Madeline Olnek

19th ANNUAL STELLA ARTOIS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD
Kalyanee Mam, A River Changes Course
Jason Osder, Let the Fire Burn
Stephanie Spray & Pacho Velez, Manakamana

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
Mud, Director: Jeff Nichols, Casting Director: Francine Maisler, Ensemble Cast: Joe Don Baker, Jacob Lofland, Matthew McConaughey, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson, Michael Shannon, Sam Shepard, Tye Sheridan, Paul Sparks, Bonnie Sturdivant, Reese Witherspoon

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