Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Serve as a Judge on VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Life’s a drag (race)for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican politician and activist and the U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district (D-NY)will serve as a guest judge for the 12th season of VH1’s hit reality television show RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

AOC, as she’s popularly known, fits in with the political theme of this season of the series, which will see RuPaul reigning over the “Ru-nited States of America.” 

In the trailer with Ocasio-Cortez, RuPaul declares that “the time has come for the first drag queen president.”

AOC is shown in the trailer pledging her devotion to the catchphrase of the season: “Join the Ru-volution,” she says. “I’m Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and I pledge allegiance to the drag.”

In a tweet, AOC said her appearance was “a peak experience.”

https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1228018284689317888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1228018284689317888&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdeadline.com%2F2020%2F02%2Falexandria-ocasio-cortez-will-pledge-allegiance-to-the-drag-with-rupaul-tv-appearance-1202859751%2F

Others guest judge this season include Nicki MinajLeslie JonesJeff Goldblum,Whoopi GoldbergChaka KhanDaisy RidleyRobynNormaniThandie NewtonOlivia Munn, Rachel BloomDaniel FranzeseJonathan Bennett and Winnie Harlow.

The 13 queens competing for the coveted title of  “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and a $100,000 prize include three Latinx contestants… Crystal Methyd (Springfield, MO), Dahlia Sin (Los Angeles, CA) and Jan (New York, NY).

The other contestants are Aiden Zhane (Acworth, GA), Brita (New York, NY), Gigi Goode (Los Angeles, CA), Heidi N Closet (Ramseur, NC), Jackie Cox (New York, NY), Jaida Essence Hall (Milwaukee, WI), Nicky Doll (New York, NY), Rock M. Sakura (San Francisco, CA), Sherry Pie (New York, NY), and Widow Von’Du (Kansas City, MO).

RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untuckedare produced by World of Wonder Productions.

The new season premieres on Friday, February 28.

Garcia-Rulfo to Star in “Murder On The Orient Express” Remake

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is about to Express himself…

The 35-year-old Mexican actor has been cast in Fox’s Murder On The Orient Express, the remake based on Agatha Christie classic novel to be directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

Garcia-Rulfo, who will portray Marquez, joins an all-star cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Michael Peña, Josh Gad and Leslie Odom Jr. as well as Branagh.

Garcia-Rulfo, who made his first major American film with Bless Me, Ultima, last starred in Antoine Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven. He also recently completed shooting on Soldado.

His other credits include appearance in the film Cake and in the television series From Dusk till Dawn: The Series.

Cruz to Star in “Murder on the Orient Express” Remake

Penelope Cruz has to Orient herself with a new project…

The 42-year-old Spanish actress is set to star in the Murder on the Orient Express remake.

Penelope Cruz

Cruz joins a powerful ensemble cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Michael Pena, Judi Dench and Josh Gad along with Kenneth Branagh, who is starring as detective Hercule Poirot and also directing the film.

Based on the beloved 1934 Agatha Christie novel, the mystery begins after an American businessman is murdered aboard the train and the investigator tries to solve the murder, finding out eventually that 13 people all had something to do with the murder victim.

Cruz is currently shooting Escobar with husband Javier Bardem in the movie that examines the love affair between the drug lord Pablo Escobar and Colombian journalist Virginia Vallejo.

Peña Starring in “Murder On The Orient Express” Remake

Michael Peña is taking the rails…

The 40-year-old Mexican American actor has signed on to star in Murder On The Orient Express, the 20th Century Fox remake of the Agatha Christie classic that’s being directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Michael Peña

Peña joins a cast that includes Josh Gad, Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench and Branagh as famed detective Hercule Poirot.

The film is expected to begin production in November.

Blade Runner 2 scribe Michael Green adapted from Christie’s novel.

Baccarin Earns First-Ever MTV Movie Awards Nominations

Morena Baccarin has a (Dead)pool of reasons to celebrate…

The 36-year-old Brazilian-American actress has earned her first ever MTV Movie Awards nominations for playing Ryan Reynolds’ love interest in Deadpool.

Morena Baccarin in Deadpool

The former Homeland star is nominated for Best Female Performance, where she’ll face stiff competition from Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect 2), Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road), Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Jennifer Lawrence (Joy).

Baccarin and Reynolds are also nominated in the Best Kiss category.

The awards show will be hosted by Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart on Sunday, April 10.

Here are this year’s MTV Movie Awards nominees:

MOVIE OF THE YEAR

  • Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Creed
  • Deadpool
  • Jurassic World
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Straight Outta Compton

TRUE STORY

  • Concussion
  • Joy
  • Steve Jobs
  • Straight Outta Compton
  • The Big Short
  • The Revenant

DOCUMENTARY

  • Amy
  • Cartel Land
  • He Named Me Malala
  • The Hunting Ground
  • The Wolfpack
  • What Happened, Miss Simone?

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE

  • Alicia Vikander – Ex Machina
  • Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect 2
  • Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road
  • Daisy Ridley – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Jennifer Lawrence – Joy
  • Morena Baccarin – Deadpool

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE

  • Chris Pratt – Jurassic World
  • Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant
  • Matt Damon – The Martian
  • Michael B. Jordan – Creed
  • Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool
  • Will Smith – Concussion

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

  • Amy Schumer – Trainwreck
  • Brie Larson – Room
  • Daisy Ridley – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Dakota Johnson – Fifty Shades of Grey
  • John Boyega – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • O’Shea Jackson Jr. – Straight Outta Compton

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE

  • Amy Schumer – Trainwreck
  • Kevin Hart – Ride Along 2
  • Melissa McCarthy – Spy
  • Rebel Wilson – Pitch Perfect 2
  • Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool
  • Will Ferrell – Get Hard

BEST ACTION PERFORMANCE

  • Chris Pratt – Jurassic World
  • Dwayne Johnson – San Andreas
  • Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
  • John Boyega – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool
  • Vin Diesel – Furious 7

BEST HERO

  • Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road
  • Chris Evans – Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Daisy Ridley – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Dwayne Johnson – San Andreas
  • Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
  • Paul Rudd – Ant-Man

BEST VILLAIN

  • Adam Driver – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Ed Skrein – Deadpool
  • Hugh Keays-Byrne – Mad Max: Fury Road
  • James Spader – Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Samuel L. Jackson – Kingsman: The Secret Service
  • Tom Hardy – The Revenant

BEST VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE

  • Amy Poehler – Inside Out
  • Andy Serkis – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Jack Black – Kung Fu Panda 3
  • James Spader – Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Lupita Nyong’o – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Seth MacFarlane – Ted 2

ENSEMBLE CAST

  • Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Furious 7
  • Pitch Perfect 2
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
  • Trainwreck

BEST KISS

  • Amy Schumer & Bill Hader – Trainwreck
  • Dakota Johnson & Jamie Dornan – Fifty Shades of Grey
  • Leslie Mann & Chris Hemsworth – Vacation
  • Margot Robbie & Will Smith – Focus
  • Morena Baccarin & Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool
  • Rebel Wilson & Adam DeVine – Pitch Perfect 2

BEST FIGHT

  • Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) vs. Ajax (Ed Skrein) – Deadpool
  • Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) vs. The Bear – The Revenant
  • Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) vs. Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) – Mad Max: Fury Road
  • Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) vs. Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) – Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Rey (Daisy Ridley) vs. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) vs. Lia (Nargis Fakhri) – Spy

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Starring Isaac, Breaks Box Office Records

The Force has proven to be strong for Oscar Isaac

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, starring the 36-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor as Resistance fighter Poe Dameron, broke every major opening record at the box office.

Oscar Isaac in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The film, which introduced Isaac, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega as new heroes in a galaxy far, far away, tallied $238 million for the weekend, according to studio estimates. It destroys the record of $208.8 million set in June by Jurassic World.

“We’re in territory that we’ve never seen in December,” says Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “The enormity of this record-breaking weekend cannot be overstated. This is a true watershed event.

Even more impressive: The Force Awakens annihilated the opening-day and all-time Friday records with $120.5 million, helped by a monster $57 million in Thursday night previews. It breaks the $91.1 million mark set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 in 2011, and the new Star Wars is the first movie to surpass $100 million in a single day.

It also set a new high for highest theater average with $57,500 in 4,134 theaters, and posted an extra $279 million internationally (except for China, where it will open in January) for a $517 million global debut.

The blockbuster was buoyed by universal raves: Critics heaped praise — a 95% “fresh” rating on RottenTomatoes.com — and audiences gave it an A at CinemaScore. Add to that acclaim Disney’s “pitch-perfect” marketing, word of mouth through social media, great casting and repeat viewings, and everything came together for an “unprecedented” opening, Dergarabedian says. “If any of those had not been firing properly, you would not be seeing these numbers. The brand can get you really far, but the movie itself had to deliver.

Final figures are expected Monday.

Isaac to Star in the J.J. Abrams-Helmed “Star Wars: Episode VII”

May the force be with Oscar Isaac

The 35-year-old Guatemalan/Cuban actor is among the stars joining the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Oscar Isaac

Though casting rumors have been circulating for months about the upcoming prequel from filmmaker J.J. Abrams, an official cast announcement was made Tuesday on the movie’s official website by Disney and Lucasfilm.

Other newcomers to the Star Wars franchise include John Boyega, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Daisy Ridley and Max von Sydow.

Original stars returning for the film include Harrison FordCarrie FisherMark HamillAnthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca.

“We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII,” Abrams said in a statement. “It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”

Disney and Lucasfilm did not reveal who the newcomers will be portraying in the film, but Driver and Boyega are reportedly playing the film’s villain, who will be in the vein of Darth Vader, and the lead, respectively.

Episode VII will take place 30 years after Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled to open in theaters on December 18, 2015.