Amazon Prime Video to Stream Selena Gomez’s Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Globally in January

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez will be Transform(ania)ing around the globe January…

Amazon’s Prime Video will stream Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, featuring the 29-year-old Mexican American actress/singer, on January 14, 2022, in 240 countries and territories.

Amazon licensed the rights to the fourth installment in the franchise from Sony earlier this year, extending its opportunistic streak as COVID-19 continues to disrupt the film marketplace.

The discussions were aimed at enabling the film to avoid a head-to-head matchup with another major animated title, Addams Family 2. Both had been scheduled to come out in early October.

Sony, which is unique among major studios for not having its own streaming platform to supply, has made moves during the pandemic like selling Greyhound to Apple and reaching a major overall agreement with Netflix.

The Hotel Transylvania franchise has grossed $1.3 billion. The new outing is directed by Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon. It features voice work by Gomez, Brian Hull, Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Fran Drescher, Brad Abrell and Asher Blinkoff.

“The success of the Hotel Transylvania franchise over the years speaks for itself,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “Audiences around the world have fallen in love with the films created by the brilliant Genndy Tartakovsky, and the latest installment is the perfect ending to an incredible journey. We could not be more excited to work with Sony, Genndy, Jennifer Kluska, Derek Drymon, Selena Gomez and the talented producing team to bring this funny, heartwarming film to our customers early next year.”

Sony Pictures Animation chief Kristine Belson said the Hotel Transylvania films, the first of which was released in 2012, “have thrilled audiences and paved the way for so many artists working in CG animation. … We are thrilled to work with Amazon to bring this film to families everywhere.”

Trailer Released for Selena Gomez’s “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania”

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is transform(ania)ing…

The first trailer has been released for the 28-year-old Mexican American actress/singer’s Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, the fourth and final film in the franchise that has bitten off $1.36 billion worldwide — thus far — with each of the three films grossing more than its predecessor.

Since the original film hit theaters in 2012, the Fang gang has expanded their lodging to include humans and welcomed a baby (2015’s Hotel Transylvania 2) and took a decidedly unrelaxing sea cruise (2018’s Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation).

Fast-forward to 2021, and Van Helsing (Jim Gaffigan) has perfected his mysterious invention that allows humans to become monsters. But the Monsterfication Ray goes haywire, and Drac (Brian Hull, replacing Adam Sandler) and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny (Andy Samberg) becomes a monster. In their new mismatched bodies, Drac — now stripped of his powers, sporting a “dad bod” and making dad jokes — and his exuberant son-in-law Johnny, who’s loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late. With help from Mavis (Gomez) and the human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.

Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Asher Blinkoff, Brad Abrell, Fran Drescher and Molly Shannon also lend their voices to the film from first-time feature helmers Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon. Amos Vernon and Nunzio Randazzo and Genndy Tartakovsky penned the screenplay.

“In Hotel Transylvania: Transformania we wrap up the franchise with a bang as we see our familiar, beloved cast of monster characters in a hilarious new light when they accidentally transform themselves into humans,” helmers Kluska and Drymon said. “The bond between the mismatched comic pair of human Drac and monster Johnny is put to the test on a ridiculous road trip to South America while Mavis leads the humanized Drac Pack on an adventure to find the cure. At their heart, the Hotel Transylvania movies are about family – monster style. We think the final chapter will bring the story full circle in a thrilling fun theater experience for the whole family.”

After a few pandemic-forced release-date moves, the toon from Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation hits theaters Friday, October 1.

Garcia Swisher to Star in CBS’ Comedy Pilot “The Kicker”

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Joanna Garcia Swisher’s career is getting a big kick(er)…

The 36-year-old half-Cuban American actress will co-star opposite Geoff Stults and David Spade in CBS’ The Kicker, a multi-camera comedy pilot from the 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt trio of Tina Fey, Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock.

Written by Burditt, The Kicker centers on Daryl Thorkelsonan (Stults), an oddball athlete who drives family, friends and strangers insane after he unexpectedly finds himself cut from his professional football team.

Swisher will play Bambi, Daryl’s (Stults) intelligent and patient wife and a physical therapist to pro athletes. Spade plays Russ Thorkelson, Daryl’s (Stults) brother and sports agent.

Swisher recently co-starred on ABC’s The Astronaut Wives Club and recurs as Ariel on ABC’s Once Upon a Time.

First Trailer Released for Gomez’s “Hotel Transylvania 2”

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is sinking her teeth into motherhood…

Sony Pictures Animation has released the first trailer for the 22-year-old half-Mexican American actress/singer’s Hotel Transylvania 2, the ghoulish sequel to the 2012 animated film.

Much has changed since the first film. Hotel Transylvania now allows human guests as well as beasties, and there’s a new little monster toddling around — but is he really a vampire?

Drac (Adam Sandler) is the proud new grandpa of the surprisingly redheaded boy of Mavis and Johnny (Gomez, Andy Samberg). When they threaten to move from Transylvania to California, the fang gang goes to work on stopping such nonsense.

Mel Brooks joins the cast as Vlad, Drac’s old-school father who is none too pleased about the goings-on. Also back for another killing are voice stars including Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Kevin James, Fran Drescher and Molly Shannon.

Hotel Transylvania 2 opens in theaters on September 25.

Trailer Released for Hayek’s “Grown Ups” Sequel

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek is all grown up… again!

The 46-year-old Mexican actress is reprising her role as Roxanne Chase-Feder in this summer’s Grown Ups 2, the sequel to the 2010 Adam Sandler-starrer that earned more than $160 million domestically.

The first film centered on a group of old high school friends who reunite for the Fourth of July weekend; the sequel sees Sandler’s character relocate his family back to the small town where he and his friends grew up.

And from the just-released trailer for the sequel – which also stars Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Maya Rudolph and Maria Bello, as well as newcomers Taylor Lautner and Andy Samberg – Hayek and the gang will be bring the funny!

Grown Ups 2 is set for release domestically by Sony Pictures on July 12.

Bonilla to Appear in ABC’s “Bad Management” Pilot

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

E.J. Bonilla has been cast in a cheeky role this pilot season…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican actor has landed a role in ABC comedy pilot Bad Management.

The project, written by Sharon Horgan, centers on a slightly self-centered female boss (portrayed by Horgan) at a high-end luxury goods department store who finds her ways challenged when the boss’ son, Tobias Jr. (David Spade), comes to town and makes youth and sex the new company focus.

Bonilla, who gained acclaim for his role as Rafe Rivera on Guiding Light will portray Ramon, a vain guy working at the store who had a butt implant.

Bonilla’s other credits include appearances on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Revenge and Law & Order.

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