Vega Begins Filming Michael Cuesta’s “Kill the Messenger”

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Paz Vega is killing the messenger in Atlanta…

Production has gotten underway in Georgia on the true-life dramatic thriller Kill the Messenger, which stars the 37-year-old Spanish actress.

Directed by Michael Cuesta, the film stars Jeremy Renner as Gary Webb, the real-life reporter for The San Jose Mercury-News. In the 1990s, Webb uncovered the Central Intelligence Agency’s role in importing cocaine into California that was sold to raise money for the Nicaraguan Contras rebel army. Supported by his wife and children, Webb pursued the story and went public with his evidence. When targeted for a vicious smear campaign by the CIA and rival journalists, Webb found himself fighting for his reputation and his family.

In addition to Renner and Vega, the film’s cast includes Rosemarie DeWitt, Andy Garcia, Oliver Platt, Michael Sheen and Yul Vazquez.

The film was inspired by the books Kill the Messenger by Nick Schou and Dark Alliance by Gary Webb.

Cuesta’s “Kill the Messenger” ThisClose to Landing its Female Lead

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Michael Cuesta may have found his leading lady…

Rosemarie DeWitt is in final talks to take on the female lead role in Kill the Messenger, which will be directed by the 49-year-old Latino film and television director.

Kill the Messenger is a true-story thriller about journalist Gary Webb, a San Jose Mercury News reporter who committed suicide after being the target of a smear campaign when he linked the CIA to a scheme to arm Contra rebels in Nicaragua and import cocaine into California.

Jeremy Renner will play Webb, which will be released worldwide by Focus Features.

Along with serving as an executive producer on Blue Bloods and Dexter, Cuesta has also directed episodes of series like Homeland, True Blood and Six Feet Under.

His film credits include L.I.E., 12 and Holding and Roadie.

Vega to Star in “Kill the Messenger”

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Don’t blame Paz Vega if she kills the messenger…

The 37-year-old Spanish actress has joined the cast of Kill the Messenger, Focus Features’ adaptation of the true-life drama book by Nick Schou.

Vega, who makes a cameo appearance in Pedro Almodóvar’s highly anticipated comedy I’m So Excited, is joining Jeremy Renner in the film.

Michael Cuesta, who has helmed episodes of Homeland and Dexter, is directing.

Messenger tells the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb who through his reporting exposed the CIA’s involvement in helping Nicaragua’s Contra rebels import cocaine into California during the 1980s. The agency then tried to discredit him, which ultimately led to his “committing suicide,” though with two bullets to his head.

Vega will play the girlfriend of a wealthy dealer who is in jail and hopes that Webb can get him out.

Production is expected to start in Atlanta this August.

Vega will appear in Grace of Monaco as legendary opera singer Maria Callas opposite Nicole Kidman and recently wrapped Paul W.S. Anderson‘s historical drama Pompeii.

CBS Orders “Second Sight” Pilot from Cuesta

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It may turn out to be love at first sight for Michael Cuesta’s latest project for the Eye Network.

CBS has given the pilot greenlight for the 49-year-old Latino filmmaker’s Second Sight, which he and CSI executive producer/showrunner Carol Mendelsohn adapted from a 2000 British television series of the same name starring Clive Owen.

Second Sight is described as a gothic psychological thriller about a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes hallucinations reflective of his subconscious. He discovers that catching the killer depends as much on insight as eyesight.

Cuesta, who recently picked up a Producers Guild Award for Showtime’s Homeland, wrote the adaptation with his brother Gerald Cuesta. The two previously joined forces for another CBS drama project, the cult 2007 zombie pilot Babylon Fields, which Gerald co-wrote and Michael directed.

Cuesta is set to direct Second Sight, which he’s executive producing with Mendelsohn, Julie Weitz, Paula Milne, who created the original series, and Nick Reed.

There are four series currently on the air whose pilots Cuesta directed: Showtime’s Homeland and Dexter and CBS’ Blue Bloods and Elementary.

Cuesta Wins Producers Guild Award for Showtime’s “Homeland”

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Michael Cuesta has another award to add to his mantle…

The 49-year-old Latino film & television director picked up a Producers Guild Award (PGA Award) on Saturday night in the Television Drama category.

Cuesta earned the award for producing Showtime’s Homeland, along with fellow producers Henry Bromell, Alexander Cary, Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, Chip Johannessen, Michael Klick and Meredith Stiehm.

It’s the director’s first PGA Award. Cuesta, was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for directing Homeland’s pilot episode, had previously been nominated for a PGA Award in the Television Producer of the Year Award in Episodic category in 2008 for Showtime’s Dexter.

Meanwhile, Malik Bendjelloul and Simon Chinn’s Searching for Sugar Man, about Mexican-American indie singer Rodriguez, earned the PGA Award in the Documentary category.

Cuesta Nominated for Second Straight DIrectors Guild Award…

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a case of déjà vu for Michael Cuesta…

The 49-year-old filmmaker has earned his second consecutive DGA Award nomination from the Directors Guild of America for directing Showtime’s smash hit series Homeland.

Cuesta was nominated in the Dramatic Series category for directing Homeland’s episode entitled “The Choice.”

He’d previously earned a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for the show’s “Pilot” episode in 2011.

Meanwhile, Louis C.K. has earned his first DGA Award nomination. The 45-year-old half-Mexican American actor/comedian received the nod in the Comedy Series category for directing the “New Year’s Eve” episode of his critically acclaimed FX series Louie.

Louis C.K. serves as the creator, star, producer, writer, director and editor of the series.

Winners will be announced at the 65th annual DGA Awards Dinner hosted by Kelsey Grammer on February 2.

Cuesta to Adapt British Cop Drama “Second Sight” for CBS

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Michael Cuesta has some serious blind ambition that he’s bringing to the small screen…

The 49-year-old Latino filmmaker, who served as a director/executive producer of the Emmy-winning Homeland, has partnered with CSI executive producer/showrunner Carol Mendelsohn to develop and create Second Sight, a drama series based on the 2000 British television series of the same name starring Clive Owen.

Cuesta’s project—which has been set up at CBS through CBS Television Studios, where Cuesta signed an overall deal early this year—centers on a homicide detective going blind who turns his affliction into an advantage – using his heightened senses and intuition to solve crimes.

Cuesta is set to pen the adaptation with his brother Gerald Cuesta. The two previously teamed for another CBS drama project, the cult zombie pilot Babylon Fields, which Gerald co-wrote and Michael directed.

Cuesta is slated to direct Second Sight, which he is executive producing with Mendelsohn.

Cuesta recently picked up an Emmy for Homeland‘s best drama series win. He was also nominated for directing the pilot of the psychological thriller.

Cuesta has directed six episodes of Homeland so far, including the pilot, the second episode, the two-part first-season finale and the second season opener, which premiered on Sunday.

There are four series currently on the air whose pilots he directed: Showtime’s Homeland and Dexter and CBS’ Blue Bloods and Elementary.

Cuesta to Helm CBS Studios’ Sherlock Homes Pilot…

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He recently received a DGA Award nomination from the Directors Guild of America for directing the pilot episode of Showtime’s Golden Globe-winning new drama Homeland… And, now Michael Cuesta has signed a lucrative contract to work on another highly anticipated television project.

The 48-year-old Latino filmmaker has signed a seven-figure deal with CBS TV Studios that starts immediately and runs through June 1, 2013.

As part of the pact, Cuesta will direct and executive produce the pilot for the studio’s modern interpretation of Sherlock Holmes, a drama entitled Elementary that features the pipe-smoking private eye living and working in New York City.

In addition, he’ll be responsible for developing the series for the next fall television season, according to Deadline.com.

Cuesta will most likely write the pilot, which he’ll direct if green-lighted. If not, he’ll direct another pilot for CBS TV Studios next season.

The overall deal won’t interfere with Cuesta’s current duties on Homeland, where he’ll continue as an executive producer and the primary director at least through the second season.

Cuesta had previously worked with CBS TV Studios, directing the pilot for the CBS drama series Blue Bloods. He also directed the pilot of Showtime’s Dexter.

Cuesta Receives Directors Guild Award Nomination…

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He helped kickoff Showtime’s Homeland with a bang, making it one of this season’s hottest new shows… And, now Michael Cuesta is getting kudos for his exceptional work behind the camera.

The 48-year-old Latino filmmaker has received a DGA Award nomination from the Directors Guild of America in the dramatic series category for helming Homeland’s pilot episode.

Homeland—which stars Claire Daines as a CIA officer who believes an American Marine, who was held captive by Al-Qaeda as a prisoner of war, was turned by the enemy and poses a significant risk to national security—has been renewed for a second season of 12 episodes. Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2012.

“The caliber of work being done on television these days is incredible, and our director nominees in each category are an indispensable element to the success of every project — establishing and enhancing the vision and tone, eliciting outstanding performances and furthering the narrative arc through their creative choices,” said Directors Guild of America president Taylor Hackford. “That they are able to create excellence regardless of obstacles like tighter schedules and in an environment in which audiences have more entertainment options to choose from — is a true testament to the importance of directorial skill in television.”

Cuesta, who has perviously directed television episodes of Dexter, Six Feet Under, Blue Bloods and True Blood, will face off against the directors of episodes of Friday Night Lights, Game of Thrones, The Killing and Breaking Bad.

The winners will be announced at the 64th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 28, 2012.

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