Sofia Vergara Teams Up with Robert Rodriguez & Rebecca Rodriguez to Develop Modern Take on “Zorro” with Female Lead

Posted on December 12, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara isn’t masking her excitement for her latest project…

The 48-year-old Colombian actress has teamed up with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and his writer-director sister Rebecca Rodriguez to develop Zorro, a contemporary take on the classic masked vigilante character with a gender swap, for NBC.

The project’s creative team includes Vergara’s LatinWe production company, as well as Ben Siverman and Howard T. Owens’ Propagate. CBS Studios, where Propagate has a deal, will co-produce with Universal Television.

Co-written by the Rodriguezes and to be directed by Rebecca, Zorro centers on Sola Dominguez, an underground artist who fights for social injustice as contemporary version of the mythical Zorro. Her life is threatened by several criminal organizations after she exposes them.

Propagate set out to develop a television series re-imagining of Zorro with a female protagonist last season as one of the company’s first projects under its first-look deal with CBS Studios. The idea’s first incarnation, written by Alfredo Barrios Jr., also was set up at NBC.

Vergara and Silverman are frequent collaborators; they have teamed to produce together several projects over the past decade while Silverman was at Electus and after he joined Propagate, including the ABC drama series Killer Women.

Vergara received Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for her starring role on ABC’s Modern Family. Her feature credits include the Warner Bros. buddy comedy Hot Pursuit, which she also produced. Additionally, she executive produced the Spanish version of Desperate Housewives.

Robert Rodriguez was attached to direct The Mask of Zorro and cast Antonio Banderas as the title role before leaving the feature project. In television, he developed and executive produced the series adaptation of his movie From Dusk Till Dawn for his television network El Rey and also executive produced the Spy Kids animated series offshoot for Netflix. He recently directed an episode of Disney+’s The Mandalorian.

Rebecca Rodriguez’s recent directing credits include episodes of TNT’s Snowpiercer and Showtime’s The Chi.

Juanes Developing Autobiographical TV Series “Persiguiendo el Sol”

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is looking to break into the television…

The 43-year-old Colombian musician and his manager, Rebeca Leon, have partnered with Golden Globe-winning producer Ben Silverman for an Empire-like television drama.

The three have joined to develop and produce a television show titled Persiguiendo el Sol that will chronicle Juanes’ rise to stardom, from his beginnings in Colombia through his arrival in Miami, according to Billboard.

“It’s a mix of Entourage and Narcos,” Silverman told Billboard, referencing the Netflix drug drama not for its content, but as an example of a show shot in Latin America for mainstream audiences.

Producer Eric Newman, the showrunner for Narcos, will also be executive producer and showrunner for Persiguiendo el Sol.

“He’s the first American producer to bring American show running to American production,” said Silverman, who has worked several Latin-themed projects in recent years, including Jane the Virgin and Killer Women.

Silverman, who is the founder and chairman of entertainment production company Electus, arrived in Miami on January 18 in time for the NATPE global television market. He’ll be shopping the show concept to potential production partners in both Latin and mainstream media with plans to start shooting as early as spring or summer.

Persiguiendo el Sol, which is named after Juanes’ memoir, will be a bilingual show and will feature cameos from multiple artists in both mainstream and Latin worlds.

The notion of the show began to brew after Silverman met Juanes through Leon in 2014 and enlisted him to perform in an episode of Jane the Virgin. Silverman was already heavily vested in Latin themed productions. Among other projects, he was putting the finishing touches on bilingual film Hands of Stone, which is due out in April and tells the story of boxer Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Durán. Its cast includes Edgar Ramirez, Ruben Blades, Usher and Robert de Niro.

Juanes has also been dabbling further in mainstream film and television. Last year, his song “Juntos,” co-written with fellow Colombian Fonseca, was used for the ending credits of Disney film McFarland USA.

del Castillo to Portray Mexico’s First Lady in Netflix’s New Original Series “Ingobernable”

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Kate del Castillo is ungovernable…

The 42-year-old Mexican actress and telenovela star will star as Mexico’s First Lady in Netflix’s new original series Ingobernable.

del Castillo will portray Irene Urzua, the wife of Mexico’s president. A woman with a strong personality, conviction and clear ideas, Urzua is capable of “creating a president, leaving a president and killing a president.”

The 20-episode series, produced by Argos and directed by Jose Luis Garcia Agraz and Pedro Pablo “Pitipol” Ibarra, will begin shooting in Mexico early next year and will be available exclusively on Netflix later in 2016.

del Castillo played Teresa Mendoza in the USA pilot Queen of the South, an English-language adaptation of Telemundo’s blockbuster 2011 telenovela La Reina del Sur. Alice Braga took over the role of Teresa when the pilot was picked up to series. del Castillo’s other television credits include Weeds, Killer Women and Dallas.

Ingobernable comes on the heels of Club de Cuervos, Netflix’s first Spanish-language series set to premiere August 7, and it’s a clear signal that the streaming service is making regional footprints a steady part of its global expansion.

The CW Looking to Remake the Hit Venezuelan Telenovela “Juana la virgen”

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Following the crossover success of ABC’s Ugly Betty and Lifetime’s Devious Maids, the CW is looking to develop its own Spanish telenovela remake.

The network, in one of its first buys of the coming season, has put in development Jane the Virgin, a drama based on the Venezuelan telenovela Juana la virgen.

Jennie Snyder Urman, the creator of the CW’s short-lived drama series Emily Owens, MD, will write the adaptation for CBS Television Studios.

Jane the Virgin centers on Jane, a hard-working, religious girl who, due to a series of outrageous events, is accidentally artificially inseminated.

Juana la virgen, created by Perla Farias, was a hit in its original run on Venezuelan broadcaster RCTV in 2002, where it drew an average of 39.1% share, topping the competition by a wide margin.

The telenovela, which starred Daniela Alvarado and Ricardo Álamo, also did very well in Brazil, Spain, Colombia and Mexico and has been translated into 9 languages.

In the U.S., Juana la virgen aired on Univision and is available on Hulu.

Should Jane the Virgin become reality, it would join ABC’s Ugly Betty, which was based on the Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty, La Fea, and the upcoming Sofia Vergara-executive-produced ABC series Killer Women, based on the Argentine crime drama Mujeres asesinas.

This would be Juana‘s second remake, following an Indian version.

Rousseff: The Highest-Ranking Latina on Forbes’ Most Powerful Women List

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Dilma Rousseff is not only the most powerful Latina in the world… But, she’s inching her way to being the most powerful woman on the planet.

The 65-year-old Brazilian politician, who has served as her nation’s president – the first woman to hold the office – since January 2011, comes in at No. 2 on Forbes magazine’s annual list of World’s Most Powerful Women.

Rousseff, who ranked No. 3 on last year’s list, comes in behind only German Chancellor Angela Merkel, this year.

Currently at the midpoint of her first term as president, Rousseff heads the world’s seventh-largest national economy (GDP $2.4 trillion). Despite Brazil’s size, she has been tasked with helping pull the country out of its slowest two years of growth in more than a decade. Her emphasis on entrepreneurship has inspired a new generation of startups.

This year, Rousseff has a new ally in the first-ever Brazilian director-general of the World Trade Organization, Roberto Azevedo, who was confirmed in Geneva in early May.

Maria das Graças Silva Foster, another Brasilenia on the list, ranks at No. 18 this year, two spots higher than last year.

The 59-year-old Brazilian business executive and chemical engineer serves as the CEO of Petrobras-Petróleo Brasil, Brazil’s state-controlled oil company.

das Graças Silva Foster last year took over the largest company in the Southern Hemisphere by sales ($144 billion) and market value ($120 billion). In 2012 Petrobras produced about 2 million barrels of crude oil daily, and she expects similar levels this year as it develops oil trapped in the Campos Basin in the Atlantic, one of the world’s most promising oil frontiers.

The third Latina on the list is Argentina’s lady in charge, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

The 60-year-old Argentinean president comes in at No. 26 on the list, a drop of 10 spots from last year.

Fernandez de Kirchner, halfway through her second term, is facing some headaches, including massive street demonstrations and accusations that Argentina has been covering up runaway inflation by underreporting the country’s annual rate.

Meanwhile, the first Latina celebrity to make the cut is Sofia Vergara.

The 40-year-old Colombian actress and entrepreneur registers one of the biggest leaps on the list, moving up 37 spots to No. 38.

Vergara, who ranked No. 75 last year, is the top-earning actress on television and the face of a sweeping trend to capture the $1 trillion Hispanic market.

As a member of the cast of ABC’s Modern Family, Vergara is at the top of her game.

In addition to the show, her line of clothing and home goods sold at Kmart is thriving and endorsement deals with Diet Pepsi, CoverGirl, Rooms to Go and thyroid medicine Synthroid make her one of the most in-demand spokespeople.

Behind the scenes Vergara is a cofounder of a 17-year-old talent management and new media company, LatinWE, which pulled in an estimated $27 million last year and which recently launched a social network, NuevoWorld, to connect Latino celebs with their fans.

In May ABC announced that a new series executive produced by Vergara, Killer Women, an adaptation of an Argentine soap opera, will be in its Fall 2013 lineup.

Here’s a look at the other Latinas on the list…

No. 35 Mary Barra, SVP, Global Product Development, General Motors

No. 52 Shakira Mebarak, Actress and Philanthropist

No. 66 Rosalía Mera, Businesswoman, Entrepreneur and Billionaire

No. 95 Gisele Bündchen, Model and Philanthropist

Full list of the 100 women who represent agents of change in the world can be obtained on Forbes.com.

Vergara Starring in Special Latin American Telenovela

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara is returning to her Spanish-language roots for her next project…

The 40-year-old Colombian actress has just completed a five-episode telenovela that will air throughout Latin America beginning in July.

Vergara, one of the highest paid actress on U.S. television for her critically acclaimed role on Modern Family, wrapped up production on the miniseries several days ago in Long Island, New York, in a telenovela house where the Barranquilla native worked with more than 10 Latin actors

“I had a lot of fun doing this special project and I hope the public enjoys it all over Latin America. For now I can’t give you any more details – it’s a little surprise I’m saving for you,” the actress said during the shoot.

Vergara kept secret the plot and the title of the series, her first project entirely in Spanish in several years.

The SAG Award-winning actress has been a hit in the ABC series Modern Family that is broadcast in 16 countries, and she’s serving as the executive producer of the series Killer Women, among other projects.

Fernandez to Star in ABC’s “Killer Women” Pilot

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Alex Fernandez will be enforcing the law in Texas in his next project…

The 45-year-old Latino actor has been cast in ABC’s drama pilot Killer Women, which is being executive-produced by Sofia Vergara.

The project, based on the Argentine series Mujeres Asesinas, revolves around a female Texas Ranger named Molly Parker. She’s described as “a ballsy, beautiful badass.” She’s only woman in the notoriously male Rangers who isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers in getting to the truth.

Fernandez will portray Molly’s coworker Luis in the project, which will also feature Spanish actress Marta Milans.

Fernandez’s credits include a recurring role on TNT’s Dallas reboot, as well as appearances on Devious Maids, Modern Family and NCIS.

Milans Lands Role in ABC’s “Killer Women” Drama Pilot

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Marta Milans has landed a killer project…

The 30-year-old Spanish actress has been cast in ABC’s drama pilot Killer Women, which is being executive-produced by Sofia Vergara.

The project, based on the Argentine series Mujeres Asesinas, revolves around a female Texas Ranger who is described as “a ballsy, beautiful badass.” She’s only woman in the notoriously male Rangers who isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers in getting to the truth.

Milans will portray Nessa, Molly’s sister-in-law and friend.

Her credits include a starring role in Spain’s Valientes television series and a guest-starring role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She also portrayed a cocktail waitress in 2011’s Shame, starring Michael Fassbender.

Rivera: The Best-Dressed Latina at the SAG Awards…

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Naya Rivera didn’t pick up The Actor at this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, but she did earn best-dressed Latina honors…

The 26-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer turned heads on the red carpet at the Shrine Exposition Center at Sunday’s SAG Awards.

Rivera, nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series along with her Glee co-stars, rocked a Donna Karan Atelier black gown with a sheer exposed inset that not only showcased her ample cleavage, but added geometric appeal to her neckline with its intricately designed corset.

Rivera completed her look with Stuart Weitzman shoes, Neil Lane jewels and a Judith Leiber clutch.

But Rivera wasn’t the only Latina wearing a Donna Karan Atelier gown…

Sofia Vergara, who beat out Rivera and her castmates to claim her third consecutive SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series with her Modern Family co-stars, proudly displayed her curves in a skin-tight Donna Karan Atelier white lamé gown.

Vergara, who just received a pilot order for her Killer Women project from ABC, finished off her show-stopping look with white platforms and a million dollars worth of Neil Lane jewels.

Morena Baccarin, nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series with her Homeland co-stars, resembled a proud peacock in her Basil Soda dress, which featured a feather-like print and a leg-revealing slit. The 33-year-old Brazilian American actress completed her look with giant Jacob & Co. earrings.

Mad Men’s Alexis Bledel left red carpet watchers green with envy at the SAG Awards. The 31-year-old Argentinean and Mexican American actress, best known for her starring role on Gilmore Girls, rocked an emerald green Rena Lange pleated dress that helped highlight her eyes.

Bledel, who walked the red carpet with her boyfriend and Mad Men co-star Vincent Kartheiser, topped off her looks with House of Lavande vintage jewels and an Amanda Pearl clutch.

Lea Michele proved to be pretty in pink on the red carpet. The 26-year-old half-Spanish actress, nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series along with her Glee co-stars, wore a strapless fuchsia Valentino dress, Jennifer Meyer jewelry, Jimmy Choo shoes and Fendi bag.

Vergara’s “Killer Women” Gets Pilot Order at ABC

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Sofia Vergara may soon be following in the footsteps of Salma Hayek…

ABC has ordered a pilot to an adaptation of Argentine series Killer Women from the 40-year-old Colombian actress-turned-producer, much like the network did with Hayek’s Ugly Betty, which was based on Fernando Gaitán‘s Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea.

Ugly Betty would end up being picked up to series and run on ABC for four seasons.

Killer Women revolves around a female Texas Ranger, with the Modern Family star attached to executive produce the hour-long project, which landed at the network with a script commitment in October.

The drama is based on the Argentine series Mujeres Asesinas, which itself is based on the book trilogy of the same name by Marisa Grinstein.

Hannah Shakespeare will pen the pilot script and executive produce alongside feature director Martin Campbell, Vergara and her Latin World Entertainment partner Luis Balaguer.

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