Kartiah Vergara Starring Opposite Russell Crowe in Action Thriller “Bear Country”

Kartiah Vergara is ready to bear her emotions…

The Latina up-and-coming actress has landed a supporting role alongside Academy Award winner Russell Crowe in Bear Country.

Kartiah VergaraThe action thriller hailing from director Derrick Borte has begun principal photography in the Australian state of Queensland.

Based on the novel Strip by Thomas Perry, Bear Country has Crowe playing the aging yet formidable club owner, Manco Kapak, who has been robbed by a masked gunman. Now, his aspirations of selling his club and riding off into the sunset alongside his girlfriend appear more distant than ever. Cartel bosses are breathing down his neck and a young upstart has been posing as the new guy in town eager to purchase the club.

Borte adapted the screenplay with Daniel Forte.

The production is supported by the City of Gold Coast and by the Australian Government through the Location Offset.

Recently wrapping a role opposite Sarah Snook in Peacock’s limited series All Her Fault, Vergara has previously tackled supporting roles in romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise, opposite Julia Roberts and George Clooney, and Dora the Explorer: The Lost City of Gold.

Sebastian Orozco to Star in Warner Bros.’ Upcoming Film “Panic Carefully”

Sebastian Orozco is experiencing a panic attack… 

The Colombian British actor has joined the cast of Warner Bros.’ upcoming film Panic Carefully, directed by Sam Esmail.

Sebastian Orozco,Orozco, who starred in The Crow, is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Aidan Gillen, Joe Alwyn, Naledi Murray and Ben Chaplin.

They join the previously announced leading cast of Julia Roberts, Eddie Redmayne, Elizabeth Olsen and Brian Tyree Henry.

Details regarding the film’s premise and character descriptions are still under wraps.  

Panic Carefully is described as a paranoid thriller in the vein of Esmail’s Mr. Robot and Silence of the Lambs and involves the hunt for a cyber-terrorist. 

Esmail wrote the film and will direct. He and Chad Hamilton will produce for Esmail Corp.

Orozco recently wrapped filming on StudioCanal’s World War II drama/thriller Pressure directed by Anthony Maras and starring Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser.

Orozco appeared opposite Bill Skarsgård in Universal’s adaptation of The Crow directed by Rupert Sanders.

He also recently wrapped a recurring role in the Sony/MGM+ series Nine Bodies in A Mexican Morgue created by Anthony Horowitz.

His recent series credits include CBS’ FBI: International, Paramount’s Halo, and Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air opposite Austin Butler and directed by Cary Fukunaga.

Lío Mehiel to Star in Amazon MGM Studios’ Upcoming Feature “After the Hunt”

Lío Mehiel is on the hunt

The Puerto Rican and Greek actor, artist and filmmaker has joined the cast of Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming feature After the Hunt.

Lío MehielLio, who made their feature film debut starring in Mutt, is part of a list of new cast additions that includes Thaddea Graham, Will Price, Christine Dye and Burgess Byrd.

The joined the previously announced cast members Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny.

The film is produced by Imagine Entertainment will be released in theaters next year.

Luca Guadagnino is directing the film from a script penned by Nora Garrett.

The film follows a college professor who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil levels an accusation against one of her colleagues, and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light.

Mehiel made their feature film debut starring in Sundance 2023’s Mutt, which won the festival’s top honor of Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition and will be distributed theatrically this fall via Music Box.

Jennifer Lopez is Most Searched Latina Actress on Roku

Jennifer Lopez is popular on Roku

The streaming network has released its list of the top-searched movies, television series, actors and actresses in 2023 on its devices — compiled from more than 1.2 billion total searches in the U.S., with the 54-year-old Puerto Rican superstar the most searched Latinx actress.

Jennifer LopezLopez comes in at No. 4 on the list of Top-Searched Actresses behind Melissa McCarthy, Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts.

J.Lo most recently starred in Netflix’s action/thriller The Mother and Amazon Prime Video’s Shotgun Wedding.

But Lopez isn’t the only Latinx artist to make the list.

Jenna Ortega comes in right behind J.Lo at No. 5.

The 21-year-old Mexican American actress starred in Scream VI this year, as well as the crime thriller drama Finestkind.

Here’s a look at Roku’s list of most-searched movies, TV shows and people:

Top-Searched Movies
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Avatar: The Way of Water
M3GAN
The Little Mermaid
Top Gun: Maverick
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
The Secret Life of Pets
Twilight

Top-Searched TV Shows
Yellowstone
SpongeBob SquarePants
PAW Patrol
South Park
Bluey
The Simpsons
The Chosen
Gunsmoke
Young Sheldon
Peppa Pig

Top-Searched Actresses
Melissa McCarthy
Sandra Bullock
Julia Roberts
Jennifer Lopez
Jenna Ortega
Doris Day
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Aniston
Reese Witherspoon
Anne Hathaway

Top-Searched Actors
Adam Sandler
John Wayne
Tom Hanks
Denzel Washington
Clint Eastwood
Jason Statham
Nicolas Cage
Kevin Hart
Dwayne Johnson
Tom Cruise

Carlos Valdes to Appear in Starz’s Watergate Drama “Gaslit”

Carlos Valdes’ latest project is (gas)lit!

The 32-year-old Colombian actor and singer is set to appear opposite Julia Roberts and Sean Penn in Starz’s Watergate drama Gaslit.

Carlos Valdes

Valdes will appear in a heavily recurring role alongside Patton OswaltNat Faxon, Erinn HayesPatrick Walker and Raphael Sbarge.

Also joining in recurring roles are Anne Dudek,  Chris ConnerBrian Geraghty, Nelson FranklinReed Diamond, Johnny BerchtoldAdam Ray and Billy Smith.

Based on the first season of the Slate podcast Slow Burn, Gaslit is a modern take on Watergate that focuses on the untold stories and forgotten characters of the scandal – from Richard Nixon’s bumbling, opportunistic subordinates to the deranged zealots aiding and abetting their crimes to the tragic whistleblowers who would eventually bring the whole rotten enterprise crashing down.

The story will center on Martha Mitchell (Roberts). A big personality with an even bigger mouth, Martha is a celebrity Arkansan socialite and wife to Nixon’s loyal Attorney General, John Mitchell (Penn). Despite her party affiliation, she’s the first person to publicly sound the alarm on Nixon’s involvement in Watergate, causing both the presidency and her personal life to unravel. As attorney general, Mitchell is Nixon’s most trusted adviser and best friend. Temperamental, foulmouthed and ruthless – yet hopelessly in love with his famously outspoken wife – he’ll be forced to choose between Martha and the president.

Valdes will portray Paul Magallanes, one of the FBI Agents assigned to the Watergate case. He and his partner, Angelo Lano (Chris Messina), come up against the full force of the White House as they investigate the events of June 1972.

The series is created and executive produced by Robbie Pickering. Matt Ross will direct and executive produce.

Valdez best known for his role as Cisco Ramon / Vibe on The CW television series The Flash and other Arrowverse-related projects.

Penelope Cruz to Take Part in One World Campaign’s #PassTheMic COVID-19 Awareness Campaign

Penelope Cruz is passing the mic for a good cause…

The 46-year-old Spanish actress is among the celebrities who’ll be surrendering their social media accounts for ONE World Campaign’s #PassTheMic campaign. 

Penelope Cruz

The campaign will have actors like Cruz, Julia RobertsDanai GuriraHugh JackmanDavid OyelowoShailene Woodley and Rainn Wilson handing over their platforms to global health, economic and policy experts and frontline workers. 

The experts will offer pertinent information grounded in data, science and facts as they address why a global response to this pandemic is so crucial.

The campaign will kick off on Thursday with Roberts handing off her accounts to Dr. Anthony Fauci who is a key member of the White House’s coronavirus task force and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Yemi AladeConnie BrittonMillie Bobby BrownSarah Jessica ParkerBusy PhilippsRita WilsonRobin Wright and more also set to participate. 

Experts taking over their accounts include Bill Frist (physician and former US Senator from Tennessee, Doctor), Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (former President of Liberia), Vera Songwe (Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa), Craig Spencer (Director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center) among others.

#PasstheMic is part of One’s One World Campaign call-to-action for a global response to COVID-19 looks to protect the most vulnerable and supports people worst hit economically while strengthening health systems and creating a more equal world.

Jennifer Lopez to Receive Spotlight Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Jennifer Lopezis under the spotlight

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar is set to receive the Spotlight Award at the 31st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival for her performance in Hustlers. The award will be presented at the fest’s annual gala on Thursday, January 2.

Jennifer Lopez

The festival, held at the Palm Springs Convention Center, runs Jan. 2-13.

“Jennifer Lopez is a star in every sense of the word, and you will experience this in her latest film Hustlers. Starting with her show-stopping entrance Jennifer brings to life the character of Ramona, an exotic dancer, who leads a group of dancer friends to steal money from their clients,” said festival chairman Harold Matzner. “For this full-force yet grounded performance, deserving of awards consideration, we are thrilled to present Jennifer Lopez with this year’s Spotlight Award.”

Past recipients of the Spotlight Award, Actress include Amy AdamsJessica ChastainHelen HuntAllison JanneyRooney Mara and Julia Roberts

All recipients received Academy Award nominations in the year they were honored, with Janney receiving an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Lopez joins this year’s previously announced honorees Joaquin PhoenixMartin ScorseseCharlize Theron and Renée Zellweger.

From STX FilmsHustlershas earned more than $150 million worldwide at the box office to date. The film follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.

Lionsgate to Develop R.J. Palacio’s Graphic Novel “White Bird: A Wonder Story” Into a Feature Film

R.J. Palacio will see her latest project on the big screen.

Lionsgate is set to develop the 56-year-old Colombian American writer and New York Times best selling author’s graphic novel White Bird: A Wonder Story into a feature.

RJ Palacio,

White Bird, which hit bookstores this week via Alfred A. Knopf,inhabits the same universe as Palicio’s acclaimed work Wonder, which centered on young Auggie Pullman, a boy born with facial differences, and his transition to a mainstream elementary school.

The Wonderfeature was a critical and commercial success, starring Julia RobertsOwen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay.

Wonderproducers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films, as well as Palacio, will once again produce the adaptation.

White Birdfollows a young Jewish girl hidden away by a boy and his family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Recounted by Grandmere to her grandson, Julian, a character already known to those familiar with Wonder, Grandmere’s story about her childhood—her fairy-tale life before the war, how everything abruptly changed when the Nazi’s occupied France, and how the boy she and her classmates once shunned becomes her savior and best friend — is transformational for Julian. It is his evolution, as well as Grandmere’s extraordinary story, that helps White Bird movingly demonstrate the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives.

James Myers will oversee the project on behalf of Lionsgate.

Wonder, which was released in 2017, grossed over $305 million worldwide, while the novel, released in 2012, spent seven years on the New York Times bestseller list. Recently, Lionsgate, Broadway producer Jill Furman, and Palacio announced that the title is being developed into a stage musical.

Palacio’s books have sold more than 15 million copies with editions published in 53 languages.

Bobby Cannavale to Star in Amazon’s Drama Series “Homecoming”

Bobby Cannavale is coming home…

The 47-year-old half-Cuban American actor will co-star opposite Julia Roberts and Stephan James in Homecoming, the half-hour drama from Universal Cable ProductionsMr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and Anonymous Content.

Bobby Cannavale

The project has a two-season straight-to-series order at Amazon.

Homecoming, based on Gimlet Media’s breakout fictional podcast, is written by the podcast’s creators Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg and directed by Esmail.

It’s described a psychological thriller that centers on Heidi (Roberts), a caseworker at a secret government facility, and a soldier (James) eager to rejoin civilian life.

Cannavale plays Colin Belfast, the ambitious off-site supervisor of the Homecoming Initiative.

Presented in a collage of telephone calls, therapy sessions and overheard conversations, the Homecoming podcast had a cast led by Catherine Keener that also included Oscar Isaac, David Schwimmer, Amy Sedaris and David Cross. Keener voiced the caseworker, Isaac the soldier and Schwimmer the supervisor.

Filming is slated to begin in Los Angeles in April 2018. Amazon Studios will have global rights to Homecoming, which will premiere globally exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

Cannavale, who starred on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, appears on USA Network’s drama series Mr. RobotHe will next be seen in I, Tonya and Jumanji as well as Going Places, The Wasp and Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman.

Becky G Releases Music Video for New Single “Todo cambió”

Becky G is pulling a Julia Roberts

The 20-year-old Mexican American singer/actress plays a runaway bride in the music video for her latest single “Todo cambió.”

Becky G

Just as she’s getting ready to walk down the aisle with the “perfect guy” that has her parents approval, Becky G meets someone else unexpectedly, and rethinks her marriage plans after magical dates with her possible new love.

“When I made this song, my life was going through a lovely turnaround,” Becky G said about the track, which will be featured in her upcoming Spanish album. “I was falling in love. I had decided to record my first album in Spanish. I was filming my first movie, and living on my own for the first time… Lots of things were happening for the first time! Everything was different, but in a good way, a way that helped me grow and inspired me to take control of my life as I never had before.”

Becky G will next appear on the big screen as the Yellow Ranger in the Power Rangers movie hitting theaters on March 24.