Matt Lopez to Serve as Executive Producer & Showrunner of CBS’ “Sheriff Country”

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Matt Lopez has gone country…

The Latino television writer and producer has joined CBS’ recently picked up drama series Sheriff County as executive producer and showrunner.

The Fire Country spinoff, headlined by Morena Baccarin, is slated to debut during the 2025-26 season, with a writers room expected to open in late summer.

Sheriff Country was introduced when Baccarin guest starred in an April episode of the mothership series.

Like the Fire Country pilot, the planted spinoff was written by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan from a story the duo co-wrote with series’ star Max Thieriot, whose real-life experiences inspired Fire Country.

Thieriot also directed the backdoor pilot episode.

The offshoot also is following Fire Country‘s leadership pattern.

While Grey’s Anatomy alums Rater and Phelan are executive producers and a writers room fixtures on the mothership series, Tia Napolitano was brought in as day-to-day showrunner. Lopez is taking on the duties for Sheriff Country. He was already in negotiations when CBS in May announced a series pickup for the spinoff.

Sheriff Country stars Baccarin as straight-shooting sheriff Mickey Fox, the stepsister of Cal Fire’s division chief Sharon Leone (Diane Farr of Fire Country), who investigates criminal activity as she patrols the streets of small-town Edgewater.

The series, from CBS Studios, is executive produced by Thieriot, Phelan, Rater, Lopez as well as Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed for Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Lopez created, executive produced and served as showrunner of ABC’s 2022 family drama series Promised Land.

His feature writing credits include Max’s top-rated original Father of the Bride, from Warner Bros., and several Disney movies, including The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Lopez is a former entertainment lawyer and DreamWorks business affairs executive.

Pedro Pascal in Final Negotiations to Star in Paramount’s Untitled “Gladiator” Sequel

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Pedro Pascal is ready to Rome…

The 48-year-old Chilean actor is thisclose to joining the cast of the untitled Gladiator sequel for Paramount.

Pascal would join Paul Mescal, who will star as Lucius, as well as Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.

Ridley Scott is returning to direct.

Pascal’s role is unknown.

The new film follows the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, which earned more than $460 million in worldwide box office and was nominated for 12 Oscars, winning five including Best Picture.

The role of Maximus, the Roman general-turned-gladiator, was a career-changer for Russell Crowe, not only delivering him the Best Actor Oscar but also launching him to the top of every leading-man list. Once it was made clear last year that the sequel would be Scott’s next movie, every male actor in town that fit the profile began chasing the part.

David Scarpa penned the script.

Also returning from the original film are John Mathieson (director of photography), Arthur Max (production designer) and Janty Yates (costume designer).

Paramount Pictures has dated the film for November 22, 2024.

The first film was co-production between Universal and DreamWorks, and while DreamWorks will not be involved in the sequel, Universal has the right to partner again when the project is packaged.

Pascal has been a major player following his scene-stealing role in his one season on Game of Thrones, but his star has blasted off following The Last of Us, which has become one of the most popular shows in HBO’s history. While HBO is looking to get the show up and going next year, Pascal had been weighing a number of options to shoot before jumping back in to that and the opportunity on this film was too hard to pass up.

Besides The Last of Us, which will certainly have him in award season chatter this Emmy season, he also reprised his role on the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, which just had its Season 3 finale last week.

Pascal can next be seen starring alongside Ethan Hawke in Pedro Almodovar’s short film Strange Way of Life, which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and will be distributed by Sony Pictures Classics this fall.

Additionally, Pascal is in Ethan Coen’s film Drive-Away Dolls, distributed by Focus Features and releasing in September. Pascal also stars in Anna Boden’s Freaky Tales, which is likely to come out later this year.

He also hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this year, earning rave reviews, and is also in contention for some Emmy love this awards season.

Harvey Guillén to Star in Disney+’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” Reimagining

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Harvey Guillén is up to No Good…

The 32-year-old Mexican American actor will star in the Disney+ film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day reimagining.

Guillén will portray the character of Claudio, a healer who helps the young titular hero take steps in the right direction.

Production is underway in New Mexico.

From writer Matt Lopez and director Marvin Lemus, Alexander tells the story of 11-year-old Alexander Garcia (Thom Nemer), who thinks he has the worst luck in the world. When his family sets off on a road trip to California, he’s pretty sure disaster awaits at every corner. His anxiety only increases when a family secret is revealed.

The film also stars Eva Longoria, Cheech Marin, Jesse Garcia, Paulina Chávez and Rose Portillo.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, a new take on Judith Viorst’s book following a 2014 movie starring Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, is produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine and Lisa Henson.

Guillén is best known for his highly acclaimed breakout role in FX’s What We Do in the Shadows.

Most recently, he lent his voice to DreamWork’s Puss In Boots: The Last Wish.

Next, he can be seen in the Warner Bros. film Blue Beetle, starring opposite Xolo Maridueña, Susan Sarandon, and George Lopez, which is set to release in August.

His additional credits include Amazon’s Reacher, NBC’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, DC’s Harley Quinn and Apple TV+’s Shape Island, among others.

Salma Hayek to Reprise Kitty Softpaws Role in “Puss in Boots” Sequel “The Last Wish”

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek Pinault is pawing her way back to the big screen…

The 55-year-old Mexican actress will reprise the role of Kitty Softpaws in the long-awaited Puss in Boots movie sequel The Last Wish.

Hayek will re-team with Antonio Banderas, who voices the titular feline character, on the animated film.

Hayek and Banderas will contend with a third amigo this time around as Harvey Guillén (makes his franchise debut in the role of Perro, Kitty and Puss’ canine associate.

Also part of the A-list ensemble is Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Wagner Moura, Ray Winstone, John Mulaney, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Anthony Mendez and Samson Kayo.

The Last Wish follows the daring outlaw Puss in Boots as he discovers that his passion for peril and disregard for safety have taken their toll.

The original film, released in 2011, was a Shrek spinoff following Puss’ adventures prior to his debut appearance in Shrek 2. Puss in Boots made more than $149 million at the domestic box office, and close to $555 million worldwide.

Talks of a follow-up go as far back as 2014. Puss in Boots 2: Nine Lives & 40 Thieves was announced in June of that year with DreamWorks Animation setting a November release date. It was delayed by a month before it was removed from the schedule due to restructuring at DreamWorks.

After many more internal changes, The Last Wish finally received a September 23, 2022, release date with Banderas’ return confirmed.

Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado serve as director and co-director of The Last Wish, respectively; Mark Swift will produce.

The film is executive produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. Universal is set to handle distribution.

The first trailer for the project will debut March 15.

Eiza González Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on August 22, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Eiza González has new representation…

The 30-year-old Mexican actress/singer has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for representation in all areas.

González rose to acclaim after her roles in El Rey’s series From Dusk till Dawn, in which she collaborated with Robert Rodriguez. She further increased her star power in the United States after appearing in Edgar Wright’s 2017 summer blockbuster Baby Driveras Darling, the heist girlfriend to Jon Hamm’s Buddy, in the $227M grossing movie.

González has scored roles in notable movies, including Nyssiana in the Rodriguez-directed 20th Century Fox sci-fi movie Alita: Battle Angel($404.8M WW), Madame M opposite Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson in Hobbs & Shaw($759M WW), and the upcoming Legendary/Warner Bros. sequel Godzilla vs. Kongdue out on May 21, 2021.

She most recently starred in Sony Pictures’ Bloodshotopposite Vin Diesel and Guy Pearce, which earned her an Imagen Award nomination for Best Actress in a Feature Film.

González will next be seen opposite Rosamund Pike and Peter Dinklage in I Care A Lot, which will premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.

The Mexico City native studied at the American School Foundation, the Edron Academy, M&M Studio and Televisa’s Centro de Educación Artística.’

Her breakthrough came in the teenage telenovela Lola: Érase una vezin 2007. González also starred in numerous additional series in Mexico. She signed with Universal Music, and recorded five albums.

Her other feature credits include Robert Zemeckis’ Welcome to Marwen, and voiceover credits in DreamWorks’ The Croods and 20th Century Fox’s Alvin and the Chipmunks and Horton Hears A Who!

Guillermo Del Toro Unveils Trailer for His Diego Luna-Voiced Series “DreamWorks Tales of Arcadia: 3Below”

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Guillermo Del Toro is going 3 below…

The 54-year-old Mexican Oscar-winning filmmaker, screenwriter and producer has unveiled a first look at Netflix’s DreamWorks Tales of Arcadia: 3Below, the second chapter in the DreamWorks Tales of Arcadia.

del Toro, 3Below’screator and executive producer, shared details of the project at New York Comic Con. He was joined by voice talent Diego Luna, and fellow executive producers Rodrigo Blaas, Marc Guggenheim and Chad Hammes.

The series will feature Luna and Tatiana Maslany in the lead roles of Krel and Aja. Nick Offerman, Andy Garcia, Nick Frost, Alon Aboutboul, Chris Obi, Uzo Aduba, Cheryl Hines, Tom Kenny, Haley Atwell, Danny Trejo, and Ann Dowd will be lending their voices along with returning talent from Trollhunters including Emile Hirsch, Charlie Saxton, Lexi Medrano, Steven Yeun, Cole Sands, Kelsey Grammer and more.

Additionally, The Crystal Method created the main title theme that is heard in the opening credits video.

In 3Below,two royal teenage aliens, and their bodyguard flee a surprise takeover of their home planet by an evil dictator and crash land in Arcadia. Now on the run from intergalactic bounty hunters, they struggle to blend in and adapt to the bizarre world of high school all the while attempting to repair their ship so they can return and defend their home planet.

DreamWorks Tales of Arcadia: 3Belowpremieres on December 21 on Netflix.

Ortiz Lands Roles in “Going In Style” and “A Dog’s Purpose”

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

John Ortiz is ending the year with a bang, landing back-to-back film roles…

The 47-year-old Puerto Rican actor, director and producer will first star in New Line Cinema’s upcoming comedy Going In Style, directed by Zach Braff from a script by Theodore Melfi.

Ortiz will portray “Jesus,” a Mensa smart criminal who is socially responsible and deplores society’s treatment of the elderly.

He joins Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin, along with Ann-Margret, Peter Serafinowicz, Joey King and Christopher Lloyd, in the remake of the 1979 classic.

Ortiz will then follow up that film with the live action DreamWorks feature A Dog’s Purpose, based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron.

The film is a series of vignettes directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Bradley Cooper (as the voice of the dog), along with Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, Juliet Rylance and Peggy Lipton.

Ortiz stars in his segment as “Carlos”, a stern, all business cop who trains his dog to assist him in solving crime.

Ortiz can next be seen in Disney’s The Finest Hours, starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, and directed by Craig Gillespie, as well as Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs.

He recently wrapped the indie A Woman, A Part starring opposite Maggie Siff and directed by Elisabeth Subrin.

Film Arcade Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Kid Cudi’s “James White”

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Kid Cudi’s latest project is headed to a theater near you…

The Film Arcade has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the Josh Mond-directed James White, starring the 31-year-old part-Mexican American hip-hop singer/actor, whose real name is Scott Mescudi.

The film is a coming-of-age story about a young New Yorker struggling to take control of his self-destructive behavior in the face of momentous family changes.

James White also stars Christopher Abbott and Cynthia Nixon.

The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Sundance Film Festival and won the Best of Next Audience Award.

Kid Cudi, who is starring in the film version of HBO’s series Entourage, previously starred in the premium cable network’s series How to Make It in America. He also appeared opposite Aaron Paul in the DreamWorks video game film adaptation Need For Speed.

Lopez Releases a Glamorous & Intergalatic Video for “Feel the Light”

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Forget “Jenny from the Block”… Jennifer Lopez is an intergalactic goddess who could be called “Jenny from the Milky Way.”

Following her show-stopping performance on American Idol, the 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress has released the official music video for her new ballad “Feel the Light,” which is featured in the animated film Home.

Lopez, who voices the character Lucy in the Dreamworks animated adventure film, is seen flying through space while bedazzled with sparkling gems (a la “Waiting for Tonight” in the intergalactic-themed clip.

She also wears a white catsuit with sheer-paneling as she stands on what appears to be a spaceship against the backdrop of far-off galaxies.

In another part of the video JLo dances with some of the animated aliens from the film in a white party dress and skyscraper heels, showing them how to get their dance groove on.

Home will be released later this month, and also features the voices of Jim Parsons, Rihanna and Steve Martin.

It centers around Oh (Parsons), an alien on the run from his own people who lands on Earth and befriends Tip (Rihanna), helping her reunite with her mother Lucy (Lopez). The duo embark on an adventure together where Oh comes to understand that being different and making mistakes is all part of being human.

‘It’s the first movie I’ve been in that my kids had heard about before I told them,’ Lopez told Access Hollywood earlier this week.

Lopez noted that it was her first time releasing a ballad as a single.

“It’s very weird for me not to move,” she laughed.

Kid Cudi to Appear in the Psychological Thriller “Meadowland”

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kid Cudi is heading to the Meadowlands…

The 30-year-old part-Mexican American hip-hop artist-turned-actor, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, has been cast in the psychological drama Meadowland.

Directed by award-winning cinematographer Reed Morano in her directing debut, the film centers on Sarah (Olivia Wilde) and David (Luke Wilson), a New York couple dealing with the unthinkable after their son disappears.

No word yet on who Kid Cudi will portray in the psychological thriller.

In addition to Kid Cudi, Wilson and Wilde, the film also stars Giovanni Ribisi, Mark Feuerstein, Kevin Corrigan and Juno Temple.

Meadowland is currently in production.

Additionally, Kid Cudi wrapped the films James White and Two Night Stand.

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