Cruz to Star Opposite Ben Stiller in “Zoolander 2”

Penelope Cruz is preparing to (blue) steel the spotlight in the Zoolander sequel…

The 40-year-old Spanish actress and Oscar winner has signed on to star opposite Ben Stiller in Paramount Pictures’ comedy Zoolander 2.

Penelope Cruz

Directed by Stiller, from a Justin Theroux-penned script, Stiller will reprise his role as empty headed supermodel Derek Zoolander. There have been rumors that Will Ferrell will be back as the sinister Mugatu and Owen Wilson as Zoolander’s supermodel rival Hansel.

The original Zoolander has become a cult classic, with Stiller fully committing to the character, with some hilarious moments in the original, from Blue Steel to the catwalk showdown between Zoolander and Hansel, to the freak gasoline fight accident that was one of the funniest movie comedy moments in recent years.

No word on what role Cruz will portray in the sequel.

Cruz recently wrapped production on the Julio Medem-directed Mama in Spain, and she plays a small role in the Sacha Baron Cohen comedy Grimsby.

Bovaira Heading the Seven-Person Jury at This Year’s San Sebastian International Film Festival

Fernando Bovaira is the head of the class at one of Spain’s biggest film festivals…

The Spanish producer will head the seven-person jury that will select the winner of the top prize, the Golden Shell, at this year’s San Sebastian International Film Festival, which runs September 19-27.

Fernando Bovaira

One of Spain’s most international names, Bovaira has produced all of director Alejandro Amenabar’s films including The Others, The Sea Inside and the upcoming Regression — starring Ethan Hawke and Emma Watson — as well as Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Biutiful, Julio Medem’s Sex and Lucia and Javier Fesser’s Mortadelo and Filemon, The Big Adventure.

Bovaira is joined by Venezuelan writer/director/producer Mariana Rondon, who returns to San Sebastian after winning last year’s Golden Shell with her acclaimed film Bad Hair, while Iranian born writer and director Marjane Satrapi will come to the seaside resort town in Spain’s northern Basque region after premiering her latest work, The Voices, starring Ryan Reynolds, at the Toronto Film Festival.

Singaporean director Eric Khoo, who heads Zhao Wei Films/Gorylah Pictures, will also join the panel. He has been credited with putting Singapore on the international film map with films like My Magic and animated Tatsumi.

Berlin-born actress Natassja Kinski, Germany director of photography Reinhold Vorschneider and Romanian character actor Vlad Ivanov, who won the L.A. Critics Award for his portrayal of an illegal abortion doctor in 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days, round out the jury.

In addition to the seven official jurors, named Thursday, jailed Ukraine filmmaker Oleg Sentsov is an honorary jury member. The Federal Security State of the Russian Federation (FSB) arrested Sentsov on May 10 for backing the protests in Kiev and for his opposition to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The festival said it took the step of officially naming Sentsov to the jury to defend freedom of expression and in response to an request by the European Film Academy.

Cruz to Star in Julio Medem’s Upcoming Film “ma ma”

Penelope Cruz is ready for ma ma duty…

The 39-year-old Oscar-winning actress will portray the lead role of Magda in Julio Medem upcoming film ma ma.

Penelope Cruz

It’s Cruz’s first film with the Spanish writer/director.

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star and Medem will produce the film, along with Morena Films, with Alvaro Longoria acting as executive producer.

Luis Tosar and Asier Etxeandia will round out the cast and Oscar-nominated composer Alberto Iglesias will write the music for the film, of which little else is known.

 

ma ma could start shooting in the spring, entirely in Spain.

Producers are now looking for financing, while Medem finishes the TV adaptation of his novel Aspasia and the feature biopic about designer Cristobal Balenciaga.

Medem is considered one of Spain’s best known directors with titles that include the steamy Sex and Lucia — which launched Paz Vega’s international career — and Lovers of the Arctic Circle.