Trailer Released for Vazquez’s New Film with Tom Hanks “Captain Phillips”

Yul Vazquez will soon be hitting the high seas with Tom Hanks

The Cuban American actor, who currently appears on Starz’s Magic City, is starring as Captain Frank Castellano in the Hanks-headlined film Captain Phillips, which has been named the opening-night film at the prestigious New York Film Festival next month.

Yul Vazquez

Directed by Paul Greengrass, the Sony Pictures film tells the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (portrayed by Hanks) and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama.

Phillips was eventually rescued in a dangerous mission by a Navy SEAL team.

Along with Hanks and Vazquez, the film also stars Catherine Keener, Max Martini, Michael Chernus, Chris Mulkey, John Magaro and Angus MacInnes.

Captain Phillips is set to hit theaters on October 11.

Vazquez’s other upcoming projects include Runner Runner with Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake, Blood Ties with Mila Kunis, Clive Owen and Marion Cotillard and Kill The Messenger directed by Michael Cuesta opposite Jeremy Renner.

 

Vega Begins Filming Michael Cuesta’s “Kill the Messenger”

Paz Vega is killing the messenger in Atlanta…

Production has gotten underway in Georgia on the true-life dramatic thriller Kill the Messenger, which stars the 37-year-old Spanish actress.

Paz Vega

Directed by Michael Cuesta, the film stars Jeremy Renner as Gary Webb, the real-life reporter for The San Jose Mercury-News. In the 1990s, Webb uncovered the Central Intelligence Agency’s role in importing cocaine into California that was sold to raise money for the Nicaraguan Contras rebel army. Supported by his wife and children, Webb pursued the story and went public with his evidence. When targeted for a vicious smear campaign by the CIA and rival journalists, Webb found himself fighting for his reputation and his family.

In addition to Renner and Vega, the film’s cast includes Rosemarie DeWitt, Andy Garcia, Oliver Platt, Michael Sheen and Yul Vazquez.

The film was inspired by the books Kill the Messenger by Nick Schou and Dark Alliance by Gary Webb.

Cuesta’s “Kill the Messenger” ThisClose to Landing its Female Lead

Michael Cuesta may have found his leading lady…

Rosemarie DeWitt is in final talks to take on the female lead role in Kill the Messenger, which will be directed by the 49-year-old Latino film and television director.

Michael Cuesta

Kill the Messenger is a true-story thriller about journalist Gary Webb, a San Jose Mercury News reporter who committed suicide after being the target of a smear campaign when he linked the CIA to a scheme to arm Contra rebels in Nicaragua and import cocaine into California.

Jeremy Renner will play Webb, which will be released worldwide by Focus Features.

Along with serving as an executive producer on Blue Bloods and Dexter, Cuesta has also directed episodes of series like Homeland, True Blood and Six Feet Under.

His film credits include L.I.E., 12 and Holding and Roadie.

Peña to Star in the Demonic Thriller “The Vatican Tapes”

Michael Peña is headed to the priesthood…

The 37-year-old Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Lakeshore Entertainment and Lionsgate’s The Vatican Tapes.

Michael Pena

Peña, who earned a Spirit Award nomination for his performance in the police drama End of Watch, will portray Father Lozano in the demonic thriller directed by Mark Neveldine.

Filming is expected to begin next month with Djimon Hounsou, Dougray Scott, Kathleen Robertson, Peter Andersson, John Patrick Amedori, Alex Sparrow and Olivia Dudley part of the cast.

Dudley plays a twentysomething who seems to cause death and destruction to those around her. Peña’s character is the local priest who first tries to help.

It’s the latest project for Peña, who will next appear in DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo.

He recently signed on to star in David O. Russell’s next film alongside Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence.

Peña Cast in David O Russell’s Next Film

Michael Peña has lined up his next big project…

The 37-year-old Mexican American actor has been cast in director David O. Russell’s next film.

Michael Pena

The Sony Pictures drama, which was formerly known as American Bullshit, is inspired by the true story of a notorious financial con artist and his mistress/partner in crime, who were forced to work with an overly ambitious federal agent to turn the tables on other con artists, mobsters and politicians.

Peña joins a cast that includes Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence.

The film is set for a December 13 release.

Peña, whose recent credits include a Spirit Award-nominated role in David Ayer’s End Of Watch and Gangster Squad, recently completed voice work on DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo, which is set to be released in July. He also just wrapped the Diego Luna-directed Chavez.

He has also been cast as the lead in Fox’s drama pilot The List.

Russell’s film is set for a December 13 release.

Louis C.K. In Talks to Star in David O. Russell’s Next Film

He’s the king of comedy… And, now Louis C.K. is thisclose to partnering with one of Hollywood’s hottest directors…

The 45-year-old half-Mexican American actor/comedian, who recently starred in Woody Allen‘s upcoming comedy Blue Jasmine, is in talks to take on a key role in David O. Russell‘s next project, an untitled film formerly dubbed American Bullshit.

Louis C.K.

The period drama, which has Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams attached to star, begins production next month.

Penned by The International’s Eric Singer, the film centers on con artist Mel Weinberg, who worked with the FBI in a far-reaching corruption case that stretched from Atlantic City to Washington, D.C. Louis C.K. will portray an FBI agent.

The film is tentatively set for release in late 2013. Columbia Pictures will handle U.S. distribution.

Louis C.K., who took home multiple Emmys in September for his work on FX’s Louie, is up for best performance by an actor in a TV series musical or comedy for the hit series at this weekend’s Golden Globes.

Lopez to Serve as a Presenter at Sunday’s Golden Globes

Jennifer Lopez will be heading the Golden Globes

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer will be one of the presenters at this year’s awards show.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez was one of the first celebrities announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as a presenter for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards, along with la Lopez’s Parker co-star Jason Statham, George Clooney, Will Ferrell, Jennifer Garner, Debra Messing, Jeremy Renner, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington and Kristen Wiig.

Each of the scheduled presenters is either a past Globe winner or nominee.

More names will be announced in the lead-up to the telecast, which will be broadcast live on NBC this Sunday, January 13 at 8:00pm ET from the Beverly Hilton Hotel, with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler serving as this year’s hosts.

This year’s Latino nominees include three-time nominee Sofia Vergara.

Hayek Named 2013 Spirit Awards Honorary Co-Chair

Salma Hayek is preparing to display her independent spirit

The 46-year-old Mexican actress has been named an honorary co-chair for this year’s Spirit Awards by Film Independent.

Salma Hayek

Hayek will share the honor with Bourne Legacy star Jeremy Renner.

Film Independent bestows the honor on those who exemplify outstanding artistic achievement and embody the organization’s mission to nurture and support independent filmmaking.

Hayek and Renner will attend the Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 12 at BOA restaurant in West Hollywood where they will announce Film Independent’s grant winners for 2013.

The 28th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be handed out at a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, February 23 with the premiere broadcast airing later that evening at 10:00 pm ET on IFC.

Oscar Isaac: Bourne to Act

There’s no denying that a star is Bourne in Hollywood’s latest blockbuster. And, his name is Oscar Isaac.

Prepare to take notice of the 32-year-old Guatemalan/Cuban actor in the latest film in the Bourne franchise, Bourne Legacy, which stars Jeremy Renner. It’s his most high profile role to date… But, like his character, he’s keeping mum about his role.

Oscar Isaac

“I can’t give many details without ruining the suspense,” says Isaac. “I can only tell you that I play Agent 3, a very mysterious guy,” says Isaac. “You never know what his motivations are or where his loyalties lie.”

When he’s not working on a project, Isaac likes to lay low in Miami, the city where he grew up and has made his home.

Isaac doesn’t open up much about his private life. Why? He doesn’t want to be a show business personality. He just wants to lose himself in his characters.

“I like being like a chameleon who transforms himself with each role,” says Isaac.

His first major film role was as Joseph in the film The Nativity Story. His credits include All About the Benjamins, the Che Guevara biopic Guerrilla and Body of Lies, where he worked with Leonardo Di Caprio. Most recently he appeared in the Madonna-directed W.E.

So what’s next for Isaac? He just finished filming Inside Llewin Davis, the latest project by two of his movie idols, brothers Joel and Ethan Cohen.

“I play a folk music singer of the 1970s and I had the opportunity to write five songs that are going to come out on the film’s soundtrack,” he says enthusiastically.

Bourne Legacy opened in theaters nationwide today.