Paramount Releases New Trailer for “Babylon,” Starring Diego Calva

Diego Calva is searching for something bigger

Paramount has released a new trailer for Babylon, the Hollywood-set period extravaganza starring the 30-year-old Mexican actor.

Diego CalvaFrom filmmaker Damien Chazelle, the film will open in wide release on December 23rd.

Led by Brad PittMargot Robbie and Calva, the film is billed as an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles, as the industry makes the transition from silent films to talkies. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Robbie plays an ambitious up-and-comer who wants “everyone to party forever.” Pitt is wild mega-star Jack Conrad who proclaims, “You know what we have to do? We have to redefine the form, map those dreams and print them into history. Look up and say: Eureka! I am not alone” — this right before to falling ass-backwards off of a balcony.

Chazelle directs from his own script.

Cast also includes Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Jean Smart, P.J. Byrne, Lukas Haas, Olivia Hamilton, Tobey Maguire, Max Minghella, Rory Scovel, Katherine Waterston, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Samara Weaving and Olivia Wilde.

Diego Calva’s Ensemble Film “Babylon” to Open in Wide Release Christmas Weekend

Diego Calva will be spending the Christmas holiday in Babylon

The 30-year-old Mexican actor’s latest ensemble project Babylon, starring Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, will open in wide release in U.S. theaters on December 23.

Diego Calva, Babylon

The film was originally scheduled to open in limited release during the Christmas holiday, with its wide release on January 6.

Babylon will open in the wake of 20th Century Studios/Disney’s Avatar: The Way of Water on December 16 and will share the marquee nationwide with movies like Sony’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Universal/Dreamworks Animation’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the expansion of United Artists Releasing’s drama Women Talking.

Set in the 1920s, during Hollywood‘s transition from silent films to sound films, the film follows Manny Torres (Calva) as he pursues a career within the industry, starting as a film assistant.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film was shot in Santa Clarita, CA, where many silent and early sound movies were made, like Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times.

In addition to Calva, Robbie and Pitt, the ensemble cast also includes Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Max Minghella and Jean Smart.

Hulu Renews Alexis Bledel’s Drama Series “The Handmaid’s Tale” for Fifth Season

Alexis Bledel will have more tale to tell…

Hulu has renewed its flagship drama series The Handmaid’s Tale, starring the 39-year-old half-Argentinian American actress, for a fifth season.

Alexis Bledel, Hulu, The Handmaid’s Tale

The news, which Bledel and her cast mates shared on social media, comes ahead of its Season 4 premiere on the streamer.

Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale follows the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States.

The series, produced by MGM Television and internationally distributed by MGM, stars Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, Bledel, Ann Dowd, Max Minghella, Madeline Brewer, O-T Fagbenle, Amanda Brugel, Bradley Whitford, and Sam Jaeger.

In season four, June (Moss) strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges. Her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships.

The drama was nominated for 54 Primetime Emmy Awards over its first three seasons, winning 15, including best original drama, the first drama series win from a streaming service, lead actress in a drama series for Moss and outstanding guest actress in a drama series for Bledel.

Bledel has earned two additional Emmy nods for her performance on the series.

Hulu to Premiere Season 3 of Alexis Bledel’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” in June

It looks like Alexis Bledelwill have a lot to Talecome June…

Hulu has announced plans to premiere season three of the 37-year-old half-Argentinian American actress’s series The Handmaid’s Tale on Wednesday, June 5, with three new episodes, and subsequent installments released every Wednesday. 

Alexis Bledel, Hulu, The Handmaid’s Tale

“We wanted to give the show as much time as possible to maintain the quality,” Hulu SVP of Originals Craig Erwichsaid about the decision to delay Handmaid’s Season 3 premiere. He added that he has seen the first two episodes of the upcoming season, and they are “spectacular”.

The 13-episode third season of the drama series will follow June’s resistance to the dystopian regime of Gilead and her struggle to strike back against overwhelming odds.

Viewers can expect to see startling reunions, betrayals, and a journey to the terrifying heart of Gilead that will force all characters to take a stand, guided by one defiant prayer: “Blessed be the fight.”

A new teaser trailer for Season 3 debuted during Super Bowl LIII, and painted a bleak, fire-filled picture of Gilead. The trailer was similar in tone to Ronald Reagan’s jarring 1984 “It’s Morning in America” presidential campaign ad.

The Handmaid’s Tale comes to Hulu from MGM Televisionand is created, executive produced and written by Bruce Miller.

In addition to Bledel, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role on the show before becoming a regular cast member in season two, The Handmaid’s Tale stars Elisabeth MossJoseph FiennesYvonne StrahovskiMadeline BrewerAnn DowdO-T FagbenleMax MinghellaSamira Wiley and Bradley Whitford.

Screen Media Films to Release Plaza’s Ensemble Drama “About Alex” in August

It looks like the U.S. will be all about Alex and Aubrey Plaza this August

Screen Media Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to the About Alex, starring the 29-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and comedian.

About Alex

From first-time director Jesse Zwick, the ensemble drama centers on a group of twentysomething pals who reunite over the weekend after one of their own suffers an emotional breakdown and attempts suicide.

The film also stars Max Greenfield, Nate Parker, Max Minghella, Jason Ritter, Maggie Grace and Jane Levy.

Similar to the Big Chill, but for the Facebook and Twitter generation, the recent Tribeca Film Festival premiere-film will see a theatrical and video on demand day and date release on August 8.

Zwick wrote and directed the Footprint Features and Bedford Falls Company production.

Garcia to Guest Star on Fox’s “The Mindy Project”

JoAnna Garcia Swisher is heading to the Mindy city…

The 34-year-old half-Cuban actress has been cast in the Fox comedy The Mindy Project in a potentially recurring role, according to TVLine.

Joanna Garcia

Swisher will portray the sister of Dr. Peter (Adam Pally).

She’s slated to appear for one episode at the moment, but she could be back for a second.

Fans of the show are also set to meet Dr. Danny’s brother, Richie, played by The Social Network‘s Max Minghella, this season.

Swisher, who is best known for her roles on Reba, Privileged, Gossip Girl and Royal Pains, most recently guest-starred on ABC’s Once Upon a Time.

The Mindy Project airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on Fox.

Plaza Starring in the Indie Drama “About Alex”

Aubrey Plaza will be learning all about Alex in the near future…

The 29-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and comedian will star in the independent ensemble drama About Alex.

Aubrey Plaza

Helmed by Jesse Zwick, in his directorial debut, the film centers on seven college friends who reunite Big Chill-style one long weekend after one of their own friends attempts suicide. The pals wax philosophical on past relationships, old crushes and bad decisions and how life has changed post-college in the Facebook/Twitter age.

Along with Plaza, the film stars Parenthood’s Jason Ritter, New Girl’s Max Greenfield, Arbitrage’s Nate Parker, Taken’s Maggie Grace, The Internship’s Max Minghella and Suburgatory’s Jane Levy.

It’s the latest film role for the Parks and Recreation star known for her deadpan-style comedy.

She’s currently filing Life After Beth in LA.

Isaac Attached to Star in the Latino-Themed “Memorial Day”

It looks like Oscar Isaac’s day has come…

The 32-year-old Guatemalan-born American actor and singer is attached to portray brothers with Max Minghella in Memorial Day, a 1980s-set crime drama.

Oscar Isaac

From writer-director Kieran Darcy-Smith, the film shares the saga of two Latino brothers who struggle to put right the fallout from a family tragedy.

Producers hope to begin shooting on Memorial Day in Florida sometime next year.

It’s the latest project for Isaac, who made waves in this year’s Bourne Legacy. He recently signed on to star in the thriller Mojave.