Plaza to Star in FX’s X-Men-Universe Pilot “Legion”

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Aubrey Plaza will soon have a new legion of fans…

The 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/comedian will star in Legion, FX’s X-Men-universe pilot from Fargo creator Noah Hawley.

Starring Downton Abbey heartthrob Dan Stevens in the title role, the pilot hails from Marvel Television and FX Prods.

Legion introduces the story of David Haller (Stevens), based on the Marvel comics character Legion, the son of X-Men founder Charles Xavier. Since he was a teenager, David has struggled with mental illness. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, he has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for years. A haunted man, David is getting tired of finding his way back to sanity and is about to give up when he meets the girl of his dreams, a fellow patient. After the strange encounter, he’s confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees might be real.

Plaza will play David’s friend Lenny, who, despite a life of drugs and alcohol abuse, knows that any day now her life is going to turn around, which gives her the likable energy of the impossible optimist despite her rough demeanor.

Fargo‘s Hawley wrote the pilot and serves as an executive producer.

Parks & Recreation alumna Plaza will next be seen in Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates.

Televisa USA to Adapt Spain’s Hit Drama Series “Gran Hotel” in English

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Spain’s Downton Abbey is getting an English makeover…

Televisa USA is breaking ground on Gran Hotel, an English-language adaptation of the popular Spanish series.

Stephen Kronish, the executive producer of 24 and The Kennedys, will pen the project, which will move the setting for the mystery drama from 1905 Spain to pre-Castro Havanam Cuba.

In the new version, following his sister’s disappearance, Julio is led on a dangerous journey that takes him to the opulent Gran Hotel, a frequent getaway for the rich, powerful, famous and infamous and into the arms of the sexy daughter of the hotel’s wealthy owner.

“It was a time when mobsters, politicians and celebrities flocked to Havana, the world’s most exotic and permissive playground,” said Chris Philip, head of Production and Distribution at Televisa USA. “Setting Gran Hotel in a sexy, sinful atmosphere offers up a rich fusion of glamour and intrigue deeply rooted in an exceptional murder mystery format with a proven global footprint.”

Televisa USA, a subsidiary of the Mexican media company Grupo Televisa, is teaming up with Lantica Media for the series, which will be shot at Lantica’s Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios.

It’s one of several projects planned for Lantica to co-develop and co-finance with Televisa.

Televisa USA plans to shop the series to U.S. and international buyers.

The original Gran Hotel was created and produced by Bambu Producciones and ran on Spain’s Antena 3 for three seasons, with its first season reaching a 18.5% share.

Dubbed “a Spanish Downton Abbey,” the original series has been a top international seller for Beta Films, which is co-producing an Italian version airing on RAI. As a finished series, Gran Hotel has been sold to networks in France, the UK and Russia.

Disney Releases New Trailer for “Cinderella” Featuring a Peek at Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Cinderella isn’t the only one getting a makeover…

Disney has released a sneak peek at its upcoming live-action fairy tale Cinderella, featuring Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother getting her own magical makeover.

The clip was released on New Year’s Eve, appropriately enough, at the stroke of midnight.

In addition to a closer look Bonham Carter’s chartacter, the 60-second video — posted on the movie’s official Twitter account — offers more glimpses at the infamous glass slippers, the coach and other iconic images associated with the fairy tale.

Kenneth Branagh directs the live-action retelling of the classic story, starring Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother and Downton Abbey‘s Lily James as Ella.

When the trailer for the movie was released in November, it was viewed 4.2 million times on YouTube and 33 million times on Facebook in the first 24 hours, the biggest showing in history for a Disney movie, excluding Marvel Comics releases.

Cinderella opens in theaters on March 13.

Disney Releases Trailer for Bonham-Carter’s “Cinderella”

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Helena Bonham-Carter is making dreams come true…

Disney has released a new trailer for the Kenneth Branagh-helmed live-action film Cinderella, starring the 48-year-old part-Spanish actress as the fairy godmother.

Downton Abbey‘s Lily James stars in the title role, and Cate Blanchett plays the evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine. Richard Madden stars as the Prince, Derek Jacobi portrays the King, and Stellan Skarsgård is the King’s scheming adviser.

Cinderella opens in theaters on March 13.

Herrera Leads the Pack of Latino Fashion Designers Dressing the Stars at the Golden Globes

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Carolina Herrera may not have attended this year’s Golden Globes… But her presence was definitely felt on the red carpet.

The 75-year-old Venezuelan fashion designer dressed several of today’s hottest starlets for Sunday’s 71s Annual Golden Globe Awards, including this year’s hostess with the mostess Tina Fey.

Here’s a look at some of Herrera’s most eye-catching dresses of the night…

Everything was coming up roses for Fey on the red carpet. The former 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live star turned heads in Herrera’s black and red rose printed dress. She paired the princess-like dress with jewelry by Fred Leighton and Brian Atwood shoes.

During the live telecast, Fey returned in another Herrera gown, a form-fitting, embellished maroon look. The SNL alum, wearing her hair down, accessorized the dress with jewels by Lorraine Schwartz and Brian Atwood shoes.

Meanwhile, Modern Family star Julie Bowen donned a red and purple velvet dress by Herrera. The actress paired the dynamic dress with Jimmy Choo heels, and Jacob & Co jewels.

Lastly, pop-country singing sensation Taylor Swift, nominated for Best Original Song or her song “Sweeter Than Fiction” from the film One Chance, chose an Herrera gown in her favorite color, Red, which happens to be the name of her latest Grammy-nominated album.

Swift completed her look with Christian Louboutin shoes, a Jimmy Choo clutch, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

But Herrera wasn’t the only Hispanic fashion designer represented on the red carpet…

Two-time nominee Juila Louis-Dreyfus picked a red-hot Narcisco Rodriguez dress for the night’s festivities.

Dreyfus paired the custom-designed, scarlet-hued, crepe gown with antique gold and pearl jewels by Fred Leighton.

Last but certainly not least, Oscar de la Renta dressed two beauties for this year’s Golden Globes.

Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

First up, Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery in a strapless gown from the 81-year-old Dominican fashion designer’s 2013 collection.

The dress, which featured gold speckled detail, fell shorter at the front, showing off Dockery’s simple satin heels.

Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta

And New Girl star Zooey Deschanel’s de la Renta dress has been described as “vintage glam” with a “modern-day edge.”

The kitschy dress featured a crop top, mullet hem and oh-so-sparkly embroidery.

Cannavale Wins Emmy for His Supporting Role on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale has a matching pair of golden bookends…

The 43-year-old half-Cuban American actor claimed the second Primetime Emmy award of his career Sunday night for his critically acclaimed performance on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.

Cannavale, who portrayed bloodthirsty, but insecure Gyp Rosetti on the hit drama series, pulled off an upset by beating the pre-show pick Homeland’s Mandy Patinkin and sentimental favorite Breaking Bad‘s Aaron Paul for the Supporting Actor in a Drama award. The other nominees included Breaking Bad’s Jonathan Banks, Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter and Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage.

Even Cannavale seemed shocked to hear his name called and he marveled that Patinkin was the first person he ever saw on stage, before remembering to give a proper acceptance speech and thank his family.

Cannavale earned his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2005 for portraying Will’s police officer boyfriend on Will and Grace.

Along with earning a nod for his work on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Cannavale also earned his second consecutive nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Dr. Mike Cruz on Showtime‘s Nurse Jackie.

It was also recently announced that Cannavale has joined Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz in the big screen remake of Annie.

New Trailer Released for “Romeo and Juliet,” Starring Nathalie Rapti Gomez

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Nathalie Rapti Gomez will be getting her William Shakespeare on this October…

The 28-year-old half-Colombian actress stars as Rosaline in Relavity Media’s film adaptation of the Shakespeare classic Romeo and Juliet.

The film, which saw its trailer released recently, stars Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth as the star-crossed teenage lovers.

Along with Rapti Gomez, Steinfeld and Booth, the film’s all-star cast includes Stellan Skarsgard, Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti and Ed Westwick.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes penned the script for this latest adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic tale directed by Carlo Carlei.

Romeo and Juliet is set to open nationwide on October 11.

Carter to Portray the Fairy Godmother in Disney’s Live-Action Version of “Cinderella”

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Helena Bonham Carter is about to make one princess’ wish come true…

The 46-year-old part-Spanish actress’ has landed the high profile role of the fairy godmother in Disney’s live-action version of Cinderella.

Kenneth Branagh is directing the film project, which sees Lily James in the title role, Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother and Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden as the prince.

Sophie McShera (Downton Abbey) and Holliday Granger (The Borgias) are set to play the stepsisters.

The fairy godmother will be getting more screen time in this version than in Disney’s classic animated movie, with the character disguised as an old beggar who watches over Cinderella before revealing herself as the magical being she truly is.

Cinderella will be shot this fall in London.

Bonham Carter previously played the Red Queen in another Disney film, 2010’s Alice in Wonderland. She also appears in the studio’s big summer tentpole, The Lone Ranger, which reunites her with Johnny Depp, whom she starred with in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

“RHOM” Star De Moura Weds French Entrepreneur Frederic Marq

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Adriana De Moura is officially a housewife again…

The Brazilian Real Housewives of Miami star married French entrepreneur and billionaire Frederic Marq on Friday, May 17.

De Moura and Marq got hitched at the Coral Gables Congregational Church in Florida.

Wearing a grey rhinestone-embroidered one-sleeve princess gown with a tulle skirt, De Moura exchanged vows with Marq in front of 50 of their closest family and friends, including her costars Marysol Patton, Lisa Hochstein and Alexia Echevarria, who served as bridesmaids and escorted her to the church.

“I’m excited and overwhelmed!” De Moura told Life & Style. “There were butterflies in my stomach but I finally had my dream wedding with my French amour de ma vie!”

The couple met in 2008 and decided to legalize their relationship on the season finale of Real Housewives of Miami last year. The pair’s wedding invitation made headlines earlier this month as they required all guests to “arrive in elegant, all white, royal ascot-inspired” dress to the ceremony.

For their reception at Biltmore Hotel, guests were instructed to wear “beautiful Art Deco gowns and tuxedos from Downton Abbey or The Great Gatsby.”

Marq is a successful interior designer and hotel developer whose net worth is $15 million. He owns and operates Frederic Marq Design and has been described as “one of the most talented interior designers in Florida.”

Vergara Receives Her Third Straight Golden Globe Nomination

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

The third time could turn out to be the charm for Sofia Vergara…

During a special announcement ceremony this morning co-hosted by Jessica Alba, the 40-year-old Colombian actress received yet another Golden Globe nomination from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

It’s Vergara’s third consecutive Golden Globe nomination in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC’s Modern Family. She lost in 2011 to Glee’s Jane Lynch and to American Horror Story’s Jessica Lange in 2012.

Vergara – who picked up two SAG Award nominations earlier this week – will be competing against Nashville’s Hayden Panettiere, The Good Wife’s Archie Panjabi, Game Change’s Sarah Paulson and Downton Abbey’s Maggie Smith.

Meanwhile, Louis C.K. has earned the first Golden Globe nomination of his career, for his critically acclaimed role on FX’s Louie.

The 45-year-old half-Mexican actor is nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series — Comedy Or Musical category. He’ll face off against 30 Rock’s Alec Baldwin, House of Lies’ Don Cheadle, Episodes’ Matt LeBlanc and The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons.

NBC will televise the 70th annual Globes awards show on January 13, with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey co-hosting the event.

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