Bardem to Portray Manuel Noriega in “Hands of Stone”

Carlos Bardem is preparing to portray one of the world’s most notorious dictators…

In Hands of Stone, the 49-year-old Spanish actor, brother to Javier Bardem, has been cast as Panama’s former dictator Manuel Noriega, who was removed from power after the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States.

Carlos Bardem

The film, scheduled to be released in 2013, will tell the story of Roberto Dúran, the popular Panamanian boxer and his trainer, Ray Arcel.

Calling his character a “badass,” Bardem told Fox News Latino that he’s is ready to get on the set and play the controversial military leader.

Along with Bardem, Hands of Stone will reportedly star Andy García, Robert DeNiro, Gael García Bernal, Usher and possibly reggaeton singer Tego Calderón.

Bardem, who recently starred opposite Salma Hayek in the film Americano, will next star opposite Mia Maestro in the upcoming film Gardel about Argentine Tango phenomenon Carlos Gardel.

The Closer’s Cruz to Guest Star on White Collar

He’s played a beloved detective on TNT’s The Closer for seven seasons… And, now Raymond Cruz will be back behind the badge on another hit show…

The 50-year-old Mexican American actor, best known as The Closer’s Detective Julio Sanchez, will guest star on the upcoming season of White Collar, according to TVGuide.com.

Raymond Cruz

But don’t expect Cruz to be an exemplary lawman… He’ll play Sheriff Enrico Morales, a corrupt local official on a small island town who crosses paths with Neal (Matt Bomer) and Mozzie (Willie Garson). Neal and Mozzie were last seen fleeing from the FBI to an unknown locale in the Season 3 finale.

White Collar started production on Season 4 Monday in Puerto Rico, and is expected to return to the USA lineup this summer.

Cruz joins previously announced upcoming guests Mekhi Phifer, Gregg Henry and AliasMia Maestro.

Along with appearing on The Closer, which will wrap its seven season-run this summer, Cruz’s credits include My Name is Earl, Nip/Tuck and Breaking Bad.

Serratos & Her Fellow Twilight Stars Attend Film’s LA Premiere…

It’s an electrifying night for the stars of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1, including Christian Serratos

The 21-year-old part-Mexican actress—who plays Angela Weber, Bella’s best human friend in the blockbuster vampire films—joined her co-stars for the Breaking Dawn – Part 1 premiere in Los Angeles. Serratos looked stunning in a fuschia Alexander McQueen strapless silk chiffon dress.

Christian Serratos at the Breaking Dawn LA premiere

Thousands of Twihards had been camping out in a virtual tent city since the end of last week to catch a glimpse of Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Mia Maestro (who sings the first Spanish song to appear on a Twilight soundtrack) and the rest of the stars as they made their way down the black carpet at L.A. Live’s Nokia Theater.

Breaking Dawn Premiere

Mia Maestro at the Breaking Dawn premiere

“I heard about tent city,” Serratos recently told Access Hollywood. “I had no idea that fans were out there already. I know they do it every movie, but for them to be out there already is very cool, very supportive.”

Prior to the film’s premiere, Serratos—who admits to having limited screen time in Breaking Dawn – Part 1—was experiencing a case of Twilight fever herself.

“I’m more excited for this movie than I have been for any of the others,” she said about this latest installment, based on her favorite book in Stephenie Meyers’ “Twilight” series.  “And I’m in it the least!”

So what’s her favorite scene in Breaking Dawn – Part 1? The same one the rest of the world can’t wait to see either: the vow exchange between Edward and Bella.

“It felt like a real wedding,” says Serratos, who studied ballet and competed in ice-skating competition while growing up in California. “It was emotional…especially because they made the wedding the very last scene we all shot together.”

Since she plays Bella’s best human friend, the question must be asked… Team Edward or Team Jacob?

“I used to play it cool and say I was neutral, but [expletive] it — I’m Team Edward!” Serratos told Access Hollywod.

Breaking Dawn – Part 1 opens nationwide this Friday, November 18.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images.

Breaking Ground? Twilight’s First Spanish Song

There’s a little sabor Latino on the soundtrack to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1

Twilight Breaking Dawn

Along with part-Puerto Rican doo-wop singer Bruno Mars’ “It Will Rain,” the new album features a Spanish track written and performed by Argentinean actress/singer Mia Maestro, who plays the matriarch of the vegetarian Denali coven in the much-anticipated film.

The ballad  “Llovera” is the only Spanish-language song to ever be featured on any of the Twilight soundtracks.

Mia Maestro

“It’s nice to know that millions of people who are going to go see this film are going to hear my song,” Maestro told Latina.com about the song. “It’s quite exciting!”

So  how did the 33-year-old actress/singer—who starred opposite Jennifer Garner on ABC’s Alias—end up scoring the first Spanish song on the Twilight soundtracks ?

“I was working on my album while I was shooting the movie,” recalls Maestro. “Everyone was aware that I was finishing my record and [the film’s director] Bill Condon wanted to hear it. He did and he really loved it and he said he was going to see if there was any part in the film where he could find placement for it.”

Well, it appears he has… But Maestro can only hint at where in the movie it appears:

“A beautiful moment in the film—I can’t say which one, but I hope people will love it.”

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 soundtrack is available now.

Meanwhile, the film opens nationwide on November 18.