Tessa Thompson to Star in & Executive Produce the Psychological Thriller Series “His & Hers”

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a case of his & hers for Tessa Thompson…

Netflix has given a formal green light to His & Hers, a psychological thriller starring and executive produced by the 40-year-old half-Afro-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress.

The six-episode limited series, adapted from Alice Feeney’s novel, comes from writer/executive producer Bill Dubuque; writer/executive producer Dee Johnson, who serves as showrunner; filmmaker William Oldroyd, who serves as a writer and will direct the first episode; as well as executive producers Jessica Chastain and Kristen Campo.

Fifth Season is the studio.

Set in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Anna (Thompson) lives in haunting reclusivity, fading away from her friends and career as a journalist. But when she overhears about a murder in Dahlonega – the sleepy town where she grew up – she is snapped back to life, pouncing on the case and searching for answers. Detective Jack Harper is strangely suspicious of her involvement, chasing her into the crosshairs of his own investigation. There are two sides to every story, his and hers, which means someone is always lying.

Published at the height of the pandemic in May (UK) and July (U.S.) 2020, Feeney’s His & Hers was quickly snapped up by Chastain’s Freckle Films, Campo and Fifth Season (then Endeavor Content) for series adaptation.

The project gradually staffed up and underwent development, moving the setting from London, where Anna is a BBC news reader in the book, to Atlanta, and eventually found its way to Netflix, with Thompson entering talks for the lead more than a month ago, cementing the series’ green light.

Thompson’s previous credits include the Creed films, Men in Black: International and the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films, including Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Up next, Thompson will star in the titular role in Hedda, a reimagination of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 stage play Hedda Gabler written and directed by Nia DaCosta.

Thompson is producing via her Viva Maude label, alongside MGM’s Orion Pictures and Plan B.

Roselyn Sanchez Starring Opposite Wanda Sykes in Boxing Drama “Undercard”

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Roselyn Sanchez is hitting the ring in her native Puerto Rico.

The 51-year-old Puerto Rican actress and singer-songwriter is starring in the boxing mother-and-son drama Undercard, which has begun principal photography in Puerto Rico for Catalyst Studios.

In her first big dramatic film role, the film stars Wanda Sykes as Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart, a two-time former boxing champion and recovering alcoholic.

The film follows her attempts to reconnect with 20-year-old son Keith, a talented but troubled young man, played by rising star Bentley Green, who has followed his mother’s footsteps into the boxing ring.

When Keith finds himself alone in his corner, because of his gambling-addicted trainer, he is forced to turn to his mother. Determined to right past wrongs, she embarks on a mission to train her son for glory in a World Championship title fight.

In addition to Sanchez, Sykes and Green, the film also stars William Stanford Davis, Xavier Mills, Estella Kahiha and Berto Colon.

Undercard is directed by Tamika Miller and co-written by Miller and Anita M. Cal.

The film is billed as following in the tradition of Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby and Creed, but with the story told through the eyes of the trainer.

“It is about the struggle and survival of the human spirit. Getting up when life does its best to knock you down. This powerful, moving story is a metaphor for our own challenges. And it shows Wanda like we have never seen her before,” said Catalyst Studios Chairperson Holly Anderson Levow.

Trailer Released for “Creed III,” Featuring First Look at Canelo Alvarez in His Acting Debut

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Canelo Álvarez is ready for his close-up…

The 32-year-old Mexican professional boxer, winner of multiple world championships in four weight classes, appears in the trailer for Creed III.

Alvarez is making his acting debut in the feature film starring Michael B. Jordan.

For the latest edition in the boxing film franchise, Jordan says it was important to make Creed III more “honest to the sport of boxing” by incorporating elements of Mexican culture, with the participation of Alvarez.

The Mexican boxing star is one of the biggest names in the combat sport and predecessors like countryman Julio César Chávez helped raise the notoriety of the sport.

“We just looked back, you know, it’s the history of boxing, and the Mexican culture is such a pillar within the sport of boxing and felt like there wasn’t really a lot of representation throughout the films in that type of way. And it just didn’t seem like the reality I lived in. So I wanted to incorporate Mexican culture into this film,” Jordan said during a press conference, according to Slash Film.

Former boxer Tony Bellew was in the first Creed as Creed’s opponent “Pretty” Ricky Conlan. Now it’ll be Canelo’s time to get in front of a camera in Creed III.

Tessa Thompson to Star in the sci-fi thriller “Ash”

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Tessa Thompson is ready to kick ash…

The 38-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress will star opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the sci-fi thriller Ash, which the Grammy-winning musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus — otherwise known as Steven Ellison — will direct as his sophomore feature.

Neill Blomkamp will executive produce the film, which its financier XYZ Films will rep for worldwide sales at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.

The new film, for which the multi-hyphenate will also compose an original score, watches as a woman (Thompson) wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed, and must then decide if she can trust the man (Gordon-Levitt) sent to rescue her. But as their investigation into what happened sets in motion a terrifying chain of events, he begins to wonder how innocent she really is.

Jonni Remmler wrote the original screenplay for the film, looking to go into production in New Zealand next year.

It is Flying Lotus’ follow-up to the Sundance-premiering body horror anthology, Kuso. XYZ Films and GFC Films will produce, with Blomkamp exec producing alongside Echo Lake Entertainment.

“It’s an absolute dream come true to collaborate with some of the most talented actors out there!,” said Flying Lotus.

Thompson is an Emmy– and BAFTA Award-nominated actress and producer who reprised her Marvel role as Valkyrie for the recent Thor: Lover and Thunder, also recently returning for the fourth season of HBO’s Westworld.

Other notable big-screen credits from recent years include Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut Passing, and Prime Video’s Sylvie’s Love, which she also executive produced, as well as Selma, Dear White People and the Creed films.

Among Thompson’s upcoming projects is Creed III, which is currently in post-production, with its release set for next March. Her production company Viva Maude is actively in development on projects including Secret Lives of Church Ladies, Luster and Who Fears Death.

Tessa Thompson Named Best Actress by Black Film Critics Circle

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Tessa Thompson is earning praise for her latest role…

The Black Film Critics Circle has awarded the 38-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress its best actress prize.

Thompson earned the award for her powerhouse performance in Passing. It’s her second best actress prize of the awards season so far for her work in the film. The other recognition came from the New York Film Critics, Online.

Thompson had previously won the critics’ group’s best supporting actress award in 2015 for her work in Creed.

Along with recognizing films in 13 categories, the group also gave the Pioneer Award to Zola co-writer and director Janicza Bravo.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Best Picture: “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Director: Denis Villeneuve, “Dune” (Warner Bros)
Actor: Will Smith, “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Actress: Tessa Thompson, “Passing” (Netflix)
Supporting Actor: Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)
Supporting Actress: Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Original Screenplay: Zach Baylin, “King Richard” (Warner Bros)
Adapted Screenplay: Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)
Cinematography: Greig Fraser, “Dune” (Warner Bros)
Documentary: “Summer of Soul” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)
Animated Film: “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” (Netflix)
Foreign Film: “The Hand of God” (Netflix)
Ensemble: “The Harder They Fall” (Netflix)

BFCC Signature Awards
Pioneer Award: Janicza Bravo, “Zola” (A24)
Rising Star: Jeymes Samuel, “The Harder They Fall” (Netflix)
Special Mention: Questlove

Top 10 Films
“King Richard” (Warner Bros)
“The Harder They Fall” (Netflix)
“The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)
“West Side Story” (20th Century Studios)
“Respect” (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
“Summer of Soul” (Searchlight Pictures)
“Dune” (Warner Bros)
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” (Apple Original Films/A24)
“Cyrano” (MGM/United Artists Releasing)
“Passing” (Netflix)

Salma Hayek to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Posted on June 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek will have a permanent place in Hollywood…

The 54-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated actress and producer is among the 38 honorees invited to join the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Hayek, who moved to Hollywood in 1991, rose to acclaim in films like Desperado and From Dusk till Dawn. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in Frida.

But Hayek isn’t the only Latin honoree this year…

Tessa Thompson was selected in the Motion Picture category.

The 37-year-old Afro-Panamanian American actress gained mainstream recognition for her starring role as Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame.

Her other credits include Sylvie’s Love, Men in Black: International, and Creed.

Ashanti has been selected in the Recording category.

The 40-year-old part-Dominican American Grammy-winning singer and actress was first discovered as a teenager and later signed to Murder Inc. Records in 2002.

That year, she was featured on Fat Joe‘s “What’s Luv?” and Ja Rule‘s “Always on Time,” both of which became two of the biggest hit songs of 2002; Ashanti became the first female artist to occupy the top two positions on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously when “Foolish” and “What’s Luv?” were at numbers one and two, respectively.

Other Latin artists selected include Los Huracanes Del Norte and Angelica Vale.

These honorees were chosen from among hundreds of nominees at a meeting of the Walk of Fame selection committee and ratified by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors this week. Radio personality Ellen K, chair of the selection committee (and a past Walk of Fame honoree), announced the new honorees on the Walk of Fame’s website.

The selection panel, made up of fellow Walk of Famers, handpicks a group of honorees each year that represent various genres of the entertainment world. “The panel did an amazing job choosing these very talented people,” said Ellen K. “We can’t wait to see each honoree’s reaction as they realize that they are becoming a part of Hollywood’s history with the unveiling of their star on the world’s most famous walkway.”

Dates have not been scheduled for these star ceremonies. Recipients have two years to schedule star ceremonies from the date of selection before their selection expires. Upcoming star ceremonies are usually announced 10 days prior to dedication on the Walk of Fame website.

Here’s the full list of Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2022 honorees (using their full names as shown on their list):

Recording: Black Eyed Peas, George E. Clinton Jr., Ashanti Douglas, DJ Khaled, Avril Lavigne, Los Huracanes Del Norte, Martha Reeves and Ermias Asghedom (Nipsey Hussle, posthumous).

Motion pictures: Francis Ford Coppola, Macaulay Culkin, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, James Hong, Helen Hunt, Michael B. Jordan, Regina King, Ray Liotta, Ewan McGregor, Adam McKay, Jason Momoa, Tessa Thompson and Carrie Fisher (posthumous)

Television: Byron Allen, Greg Berlanti, Ricky Gervais, Peter Krause, Robert Odenkirk, Holly Robinson-Peete, Norman Reedus, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jean Smart, Ming-Na Wen and Kenan Thompson.

Live theatre/live performance: Patti LuPone, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. and Angelica Vale

Radio: Richard Blade

Sports entertainment: Michael Strahan

Amazon Acquires Global Rights to Tessa Thompson’s Romantic Drama “Sylvie’s Love”

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Tessa Thompson’s latest Love is headed to Amazon…

Amazonhas acquired the global rights to Sylvie’s Love, starring the36-year-old half Afro-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress/singer,for an amount that’s reportedly in the high-seven-figure range.

Eugene Ashe wrote and directed the film, which played in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Ashe is a former Sony Music recording artist from Harlem, New York, who has performed on numerous film soundtracks and is a fellow of the Writers Guild of America East Diversity Lab at Columbia University.

Set in the summer of 1957 in New York, Sylvie (Thompson) helps around her father’s record store as she awaits her fiancé’s return from war—until sweet saxophonist Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) walks in looking for a day job to subsidize his residency at the Blue Morocco lounge. Their chance meeting kindles a deep passion in each of them unlike anything they’ve felt before. Sylvie’s mother immediately disapproves and reminds Sylvie of her engagement, while Robert’s band books their first big gig overseas. As time passes, the sexual revolution begins, and Motown becomes king, the two fall in and out of each other’s arms, but never out of love.

Thompson’s previous credits include Selma, the Creed franchise and Men in Black: International. And she portrays Valkyrie in the superhero films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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