María Gabriela de Faría to Star in New Serial Killer Film “Romanticizing Monsters”

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

María Gabriela de Faría has landed a monster(s) of a role…

The 31-year-old Venezuelan actress and singer, who was recently tapped to play villain The Engineer in Warner Bros/DC’s Superman, will play the lead in Romanticizing Monsters, a new serial killer film from director Berkley Brady.

The film centers around de Faría’s character, Amelia Velez, a reporter and true crime podcaster investigating a series of missing person cases linked to an active serial killer that her boss and the police don’t believe exists.

With Justin Kelly and Katisha Shaw aboard to produce, the project is set to participate in the Frontières International Co Productions Market at Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal later today. Nicole Hilliard-Forde and Matthew Lessall are overseeing casting.

Soon to wrap her role in James Gunn’s Superman, the first title in a revamped DC slate, which is slated for release on July 11, 2025, de Faría will next be seen starring alongside Dylan Sprouse in the comedy The Duel, which Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment are releasing in theaters at the end of July.

Prior to Superman, de Faría was best known for a lead role in Lionsgate’s The Exorcism of God, a supernatural horror film co-written and directed by Alejandro Hidalgo, which was released through Saban Films after world premiering at Fantastic Fest.

In addition to the indie drama R#J, a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the actress has also been seen on Fox’s Animal Control and The Moodys and Syfy’s Deadly Class.

Danny Pino to Star in FOX‘s Anthology Crime Series “Accused”

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Danny Pino is among the accused…

The 50-year-old Cuban American actor will star in FOX‘s anthology crime series Accused for Season 2.

Pino is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Taylor Schilling and Justin Chambers.

New episodes will drop this fall.

They join the previously announced actors Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Nick Cannon and Michael Chiklis.

The project reunites Pino and Chiklis who most recently co-starred in the MGM+ series Hotel Cocaine.

From FOX Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, Accused is a collection of intense, topical human stories of crime and punishment. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, each episode is a fast-paced provocative thriller, exploring a different crime, in a different city with an entirely original cast.

The series is based on the BBC BAFTA Award-winning crime anthology of the same name created by Jimmy McGovern.

Schilling, Chambers and Pino will star in “April’s Story” where a nurse commits a crime that changes the trajectory of her life. Schilling will play ‘April,’ Chambers will play ‘Tyler’ and Pino will play ‘Jake.’

Accused is developed for American television by Howard Gordon, who executive produces with Alex Gansa, David Shore, Erin Gunn and Daniel Pearle.

Pino currently stars as the general manager of the Mutiny Hotel and Club, Roman Compte, in the MGM+ series, Hotel Cocaine.

Before that, he completed his run in the fifth and final season of FX’s Mayans M.C., where he starred as “Miguel Galindo” and directed two episodes.

Additionally, he played opposite Amy Adams in Stephen Chbosky’s film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen and portrayed NYPD detective Nick Amaro in four seasons of Law & Order: SVU.

Pino also recently completed the short film, Unión De Reyes, which he wrote, directed, produced and starred in.

Daphne Zuniga Helps Launch “Still the Place,” a Rewatch Podcast of Fox’s “Melrose Place”

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Daphne Zuniga is ready to help you rewatch her classic television series…

As a Melrose Place reboot is in the works at CBS, the original series is getting a new audio boost featuring the 61-year-old half-Guatemalan American actress.

Zuniga and two of the show’s other original stars, Laura Leighton and Courtney Thorne-Smith, are launching a rewatch podcast of the Fox drama.

Still The Place launched today, on the 32nd anniversary of the show’s launch. It comes from iHeartPodcasts.

Leighton, who played Sydney Andrews, Thorne-Smith, who played Alison Parker and Zuniga, who played Jo Reynolds will dissect each episode from the very beginning, share behind-the-scenes stories and interview special guests from the original cast and crew.

It comes after news in April revealed that a reboot featuring Leighton and Zuniga, as well as Heather Locklear, was in the works at CBS Studios and was being shopped to networks and streamers.

The reboot is being written by Lauren Gussis and will pick up years after the original series, created by Darren Star.

Locklear, Leighton and Zuniga, reprised their roles in guest starring appearances on The CW revival in 2009, which revolved around a new group of 20-30-somethings living on Melrose Place. The new reboot is expected to draw from the original series and not the follow-up where Leighton’s character was murdered.

Jordana Brewster to Star in Spyglass‘ Original Horror Rom-Com “Heart Eyes”

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Jordana Brewster has set her sight(s) on a new role…

The 44-year-old half-Brazilian Panamanian actress will star opposite Devon Sawa in Spyglass‘ original horror rom-com, Heart Eyes, which is currently in production in New Zealand.

They join previously announced cast members Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding..

The Josh Ruben-directed, Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy-written feature follows a pair of co-workers in Seattle who are pulling overtime on Valentine’s Day. When the Heart Eyes Killer strikes, they’re mistaken for a couple by the elusive couple-hunting killer. The duo are forced to spend the most romantic night of the year running for their lives.

Republic Pictures picked up distribution rights to Heart Eyes excluding the U.S. and Canada.

The cast also includes Gigi Zumbado. Zumbado’s previous credits include Kenya Barris’ multi-cam comedy Unrelated and recurring roles on ABC’s Promised Land and Fox’s 9-1-1.

Zumbado stars opposite Emile Hirsch and Stephen Dorff in the indie feature The Price We Pay.

Brewster has starred in the $6 billion plus grossing Fast & Furious franchise as Mia Torretto.

Her feature credits include Simulant alongside Sam Worthington and Simu Liu, the horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, the cult classic D.E.B.S., the sci-fi horror The Faculty, the drama The Invisible Circus, The Integrity of Joseph Chambers, Hooking Up, Random Acts of Violence, North of Hell, American Heist, Annapolis and Who Invited Charlie?

She can next be seen in the feature film Cellar Door.

Sony Pictures Television Extends’s Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz’s Overall Development Deal

Posted on June 22, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz is getting an extension…

Sony Pictures Television has extended the Latina comedy writer and showrunner’s overall deal, per Deadline.

Under the new two-year pact, Muñoz-Liebowitz will continue to develop scripted comedy series across cable and streaming as well as the possibility of exploring a drama, which is where she began her career.

Most recently, she served as showrunner of The Gordita Chronicles, created by Claudia Forestieri, which is currently streaming on Hulu and Tubi.

Before that, she was co-executive producer of the critically acclaimed comedy One Day at a Time for Sony Pictures Television and co-executive producer on the Max comedy anthology series Love Life, starring Anna Kendrick and William Jackson Harper.

She recently wrote and directed the short film Some of US Watch The Sunset, Too.

Muñoz-Liebowitz started her career as a writer on the Fox/NBC series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Her other TV credits include co-executive producer on the Disney+ comedy Diary of a Future President for CBS Studios, supervising producer on the NBC comedy Abby’s for Universal Television, and supervising producer on TBS’ People of Earth with Greg Daniels and Warner Horizon. She has also developed for Hulu with Berlanti Prods./WBTV and CBS/CBS Studios.

Muñoz-Liebowitz is a graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and has a Masters in Producing from Columbia University School of the Arts. At Columbia, she developed and produced the short film Cigarette Candy, which won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW.

Cara Santana to Make Directorial Debut with Documentary Film “The Shuffle”

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Cara Santana is heading behind the lens…

The Latina actress will make her directorial debut with The Shuffle, a documentary on the corruption of the addiction treatment industry, which she’s producing alongside Andrew Renzi’s North of Now.

Developed over the last two years, The Shuffle follows what she says is a $43B-a-year con that’s proliferated in the U.S. through the brokering and trafficking of vulnerable people in recovery by profiting off of their insurance.

The film is said to go to the heart of why America has the largest drug epidemic in the Western world — the profit is in the treatment, not the cure.

“Sober for 20 years, I started noticing the disturbing trend of patient brokering in the rehabilitation industry which was ripe for insurance fraud, but what I uncovered was a massive $43B a year con,” Santana told Deadline. “After developing the story for over 2 years, I found my partner in Andrew Renzi’s North of Now. I was a huge fan of his work and I knew he would be the perfect partner to tell the story with.”

Pre-production commences in August, although some of the film has already been shot; Santana self-financed a portion of the development materials in South Florida last year, which has been used to secure financing.

An actress, activist and director, Santana was most recently seen starring opposite Marcia Gay Harden and Halston Sage in the film Daughter of the Bride from MarVista Entertainment.

Previously, she’s been seen in CBS’ The Neighborhood, Starz’s Vida, Fox’s Salem, Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet and Facebook Watch’s The Real Bros of Simi Valley, along with a number of indies.

In addition to The Shuffle, Santana’s behind-the-camera ambitions include the upcoming feature Steps, which she wrote and is working to develop. The film is based on true events that depict the intertwined lives of six people struggling with addiction and their journey to recovery over three decades.

She’s also producing and developing a dark comedy series that dives into the world of Instagram-based prostitution.

William Levy’s Production Company Signs Production Deal with TelevisaUnivision’s Streamer ViX

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

William Levy has a new production deal…

Following the 43-year-old Cuban actor and telenovela star’s acclaimed role in ViX‘s Montecristo last year, the TelevisaUnivision streamer has signed Secuoya Studios and William Levy Entertainment to a production deal.

Together, the companies will develop two new projects – the series, Arcadia (w/t) and the film, Bajo Un Volcán (w/t) – both starring Levy, who will serve as an also executive produce.

Arcadia (w/t) tells the story of Pablo (Levy), a man who flees due to a broken heart and a violent past. Under a false identity, he starts a new life with his son in Arcadia, an idyllic town in the Canary Islands. Bajo Un Volcán (w/t), follows an ill-timed and forbidden love happening amid a natural catastrophe. Both projects are set to start production later in the year.

“I am thrilled to be teaming up with Secuoya and ViX again on two outstanding projects that I believe our audiences will love as much as I do. I can´t wait to return to Spain to start production”, Levy shares in a statement to Deadline.

“Following the success of Montecristo in 2023, we are excited to renew our collaboration with Secuoya Studios and the talented William Levy, bringing our growing audience two compelling productions that will enhance our content offering with powerful narratives and visuals that will resonate with our subscribers,” shared Augusto Rovegno, Senior Vice President of Content of ViX at TelevisaUnivision.

Levy began his career in the Spanish-language market where he quickly catapulted to one of the most sought-after talents where he remains today. He expanded his reach with U.S. audiences in the 2000s with roles in Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club, Girls Trip opposite Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter and most notably on the small screen as a regular in Lee Daniels’ Star from Fox.

“We are delighted to renew our magnificent relationship with ViX. Thanks to this agreement we will work together on two of Secuoya Studios’ most ambitious 2024 projects. Having William Levy again, in his dual role as protagonist and executive producer, in Arcadia and Under a Volcano, his first film in Spain, demonstrates the excellent professional harmony that was established in the development of Montecristo, the series that captivated audiences last year,” stated Sergio Pizzolante, Commercial & Distribution President, Secuoya Studios.

Adriyan Rae to Appear on Mara Brock Akil’s Netflix Series “Forever”

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Adriyan Rae has found her Forever home…

The part-Venezuelan actress has landed a recurring role on Netflix’s Forever.

Created by Mara Brock Akil, Forever is a reimagining of the 1975 novel by Judy Blume and follows the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s firsts in 2018 Los Angeles.

Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on the YA comedy Moesha.

Oscar winner Regina King will serve as executive producer and will direct the first episode.

Rae will portray Brittany, one of Keisha’s older cousins, and is described as a social climber who looks out for Keisha and her well-being like an older sister—even if she usually does it with a sarcastic sense of humor and blunt direct attitude. Brittany is a loyal support system for Keisha and her mom Shelly, and always brings a sense of fun to wherever she goes —including affectionately calling Keisha ‘Urkel’ due to her book smart nature.

Lovie Simone will star as Keisha Clarke and Michael Cooper Jr. will portray Justin Edwards. Karen Pittman, and Wood Harris round out the cast so far.

Within the television sphere, Rae currently stars as ‘Brittany Pitts’ in Paramount+’s reboot of The Game. Additionally, she recently led the cast of SYFY’s series Vagrant Queen, starred in NBC’s Chicago Fire and Hulu’s horror-thriller series Light As A Feather, and has guest starred on various shows including FX’s Atlanta, BET’s American Soul, and FOX’s musical drama Star, from the producers of Empire.

In film, she has had roles in Sony’s Superfly with Jennifer Morrison, Trevor Jackson and Michael Kenneth Williams, and Netflix’s Burning Sands alongside Alfre Woodard and Trevante Rhodes.

ABC Renews Ryan Guzman’s “9-1-1” Series for Eighth Season

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Ryan Guzman has more emergency responses in his future…

ABC has renewed 9-1-1, starring the 36-year-old half-Mexican American actor, for an eighth season.

Guzman, who joined the cast in Season 2, portrays Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz in the procedural drama .

The season seven premiere of 9-1-1 in March delivered a cumulative audience of 11.76 million total viewers within the first seven days, and marked the series’ highest-rated multi-platform telecast in nearly two years in Adults 18-49. It paid homage to the disaster thriller The Poseidon Adventure.

The drama stands as ABC’s most-watched current series across all platforms this season.

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, 9-1-1 is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios, in association with Ryan Murphy Television and Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision.

9-1-1 moved to ABC after six seasons on Fox ,where it was consistently one of the highest-rated shows. It now fits nicely into ABC’s Thursday lineup with Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19, both of which do well for for the Disney-owned broadcaster. This week’s new episode will mark the series’ 100th episode.

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Kate del Castillo to Star in the Action Film “Trap House”

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Kate del Castillo has trapped her next project.

The 51-year-old Mexican actress will star opposite Dave Bautista in the action film Trap House.

del Castillo is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Jack Champion, Sophia Lillis, Tony Dalton, Whitney Peak and Bobby Cannavale.

Inde Navarrette, Zaire Adams and Blu del Barrio have also joined the cast.

Principal photography is set to begin today.

Michael Dowse will direct a script written by Fast & Furious creator Gary Scott Thompson and Tom O’Connor. The action film follows an undercover DEA agent and his partner who embark on a game of cat and mouse with an audacious group of thieves: their own rebellious teenagers, who have begun robbing from a dangerous cartel, using their parents’ tactics and top-secret intel to pull off their heists.

Trap House is produced by Marc Goldberg and Sarah Gabriel of Signature Films, Michael Pruss and Rebecca Feuer of Scott Free Productions with Ridley Scott executive producing alongside Bautista and Jonathan Meisner of Bautista’s Dogbone Entertainment and Todd Lundbohm of 828 Productions.

The feature is financed and executive produced by Christian Mercuri’s Capstone Studios, Signature Entertainment, Creativity Media and Koala, and Ashland Hill Media Finance.

Dogbone and Signature developed Trap House after working together on 2018’s actioner Final Score, which starred Bautista alongside Pierce Brosnan.

del Castillo currently stars in Fox’s The Cleaning Lady.

Cannavale’s film credits include Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman and Old Dads.

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