Garcia-Rulfo to Star in “Murder On The Orient Express” Remake

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is about to Express himself…

The 35-year-old Mexican actor has been cast in Fox’s Murder On The Orient Express, the remake based on Agatha Christie classic novel to be directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

Garcia-Rulfo, who will portray Marquez, joins an all-star cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Michael Peña, Josh Gad and Leslie Odom Jr. as well as Branagh.

Garcia-Rulfo, who made his first major American film with Bless Me, Ultima, last starred in Antoine Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven. He also recently completed shooting on Soldado.

His other credits include appearance in the film Cake and in the television series From Dusk till Dawn: The Series.

Cruz to Star in “Murder on the Orient Express” Remake

Penelope Cruz has to Orient herself with a new project…

The 42-year-old Spanish actress is set to star in the Murder on the Orient Express remake.

Penelope Cruz

Cruz joins a powerful ensemble cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Michael Pena, Judi Dench and Josh Gad along with Kenneth Branagh, who is starring as detective Hercule Poirot and also directing the film.

Based on the beloved 1934 Agatha Christie novel, the mystery begins after an American businessman is murdered aboard the train and the investigator tries to solve the murder, finding out eventually that 13 people all had something to do with the murder victim.

Cruz is currently shooting Escobar with husband Javier Bardem in the movie that examines the love affair between the drug lord Pablo Escobar and Colombian journalist Virginia Vallejo.

Peña Starring in “Murder On The Orient Express” Remake

Michael Peña is taking the rails…

The 40-year-old Mexican American actor has signed on to star in Murder On The Orient Express, the 20th Century Fox remake of the Agatha Christie classic that’s being directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Michael Peña

Peña joins a cast that includes Josh Gad, Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench and Branagh as famed detective Hercule Poirot.

The film is expected to begin production in November.

Blade Runner 2 scribe Michael Green adapted from Christie’s novel.

Peña Named to Voice Cast of Warner Bros.’ “The Lego Ninjago Movie”

Michael Peña has bricked his next role…

The 40-year-old Mexican American actor has been added to the main voice cast of Warner Bros.The Lego Ninjago Movie.

Michael Pena

Led by Jackie Chan, the all-star cast includes Peña, Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani and Zach Woods.

Based on the line of Lego construction sets, The Lego Ninjago Movie follows Lloyd, member of a group of young warriors and Lego master builders who, with their kung fu master Wu, must defend Ninjago City against the evil warlord Garmadon. Complicating matters is the fact that Garmadon happens to be Lloyd’s father. With mech fighting mech and father fighting son, the undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas will learn to check their egos and pull together to save the city.

Chan stars as Wu, Franco is playing Lloyd, and Theroux voices Garmadon. Rounding out the cast of characters are Munn as Lloyd’s mother, with Armisen, Jacobson, Nanjiani, Peña and Woods voicing the rest of Lloyd’s secret ninja team.

Set to hit theaters September 22, 2017, The Lego Ninjago Movie is directed by Charlie Bean in his feature debut.

Tom & Bill Wheeler are rewriting the script originally penned by Hilary Winston, Bob Logan and Paul Fisher from a story by Kevin Hageman, Dan Hageman and Winston, Logan and Fisher.

Warner Bros. will distribute worldwide.

Peña Among Voice Cast Members of Hasbro and Lionsgate’s “My Little Pony: The Movie”

Michael Peña is ponying up to the sound booth…

The Mexican American actor has joined the voice cast of Hasbro and Lionsgate’s My Little Pony: The Movie

Michael Peña

Peña joins other voice actors: Sia, Uzo Aduba, Emily Blunt, Kristen Chenoweth, Taye Diggs and Liev Schrieber.

My Little Pony: The Movie is being scripted by Rita Hsiao (Toy Story 2, Mulan) and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic writer Meghan McCarthy and directed by Jayson Thiessen.

My Little Pony: The Movie is scheduled to land in theaters around the world on October 6, 2017.

Peña’s other voice credits include Turbo and Hell and Back.

Peña Attached to Star in Film Adaptation of NBC’s Cult Classic “CHiPS”

Michael Peña is letting the chips fall where they may…

Warner Bros. has set actor/comedian Dax Shepard to write, direct and star in the film adaptation of the long-running television series CHiPS, with the 38-year-old Mexican American actor attached to play Frank “Ponch” Poncherello.

Michael Peña

CHiPS, whichran from 1977-83, centered on two officers who patrolled the highways of California on motorcycles in some scandalously tight khaki uniforms. Shepard will play Officer Jon Baker (played in the original by Larry Wilcox), with Peña starring in therole Erik Estrada originated. Rick Rosner created the NBC series.

This is the most serious Warner Bros. has been in turning CHiPS into a film. The studio attempted it years ago, after That ’70s Show star Wilmer Valderrama showed up in the office of executive Greg Silverman. Dressed in the signature tight-fitting uniform, Valderrama merely said, “Funny, right?” — and he walked out with a deal and an intention to play Ponch. But while television shows from that era like Starsky & Hutch and The Dukes Of Hazzard got movie transfers, CHiPS stalled out.

The new take is envisioned as much in the tone of Bad Boys and Lethal Weapon than a comedy. Shepard is known mostly in humorous roles and the series Parenthood. He’s actually a professional driver of racecars and motorcycles, and he expects to be performing his own riding and stunts.

Cannavale to Star in Marvel/Disney’s Superhero Film “Ant-Man”

Bobby Cannavale has landed a Marvelous role…

The 43-year-old half-Cuban American actor and Emmy-winnner has joined the cast of Ant-Man, which has begun filming in San Francisco.

Bobby Cannavale

Directed by Peyton Reed, the film stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, a con man who grows into a hero by helping his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (portrayed by Michael Douglas) pull off a heist that will save the world. Lost alum Evangeline Lilly plays Hope Van Dyne, Pym’s daughter.

No word yet on Cannavale’s character in the film.

Additionally, Michael Peña, Abby Ryder Fortson, David Dastmalchian, Wood Harris, Gregg Turkington and rapper-actor T.I. have also been cast in Ant-Man.

Marvel’s Kevin Feige is producing and Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee are executive producers on what Disney/Marvel have set up as their next superhero franchise hot off the successful launch of the Guardians of the Galaxy property.

In addition to California’s Bay Area locale, filming will also take place in Atlanta.

Ant-Man is slated for a July 17, 2015 release.

“Fury,” Starring Brad Pitt & Michael Peña, to Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival

Michael Peña is bringing a little Fury to Londontown…

The tank drama Fury, starring Brad Pitt and the 38-year-old Mexican American actor, will rumble into the United Kingdom on October 19 for its European premiere as the closing film at the BFI London Film Festival.

Michael Peña in Fury

No word on whether Peña will attend the festivities. But Pitt and the film’s writer and director David Ayer have been confirmed to attend the closing night gala at London’s Leicester Square, with simultaneous screenings taking place in cinemas across the UK.

“Fury is a resounding cinematic achievement,” said BFI London Film Festival Director Clare Stewart. “Rarely is a film so successful at balancing the human drama o war with such thrilling action sequences. We looking forward to welcoming LFF alumni David Ayer and Brad Pitt to London as we draw the 58th BFI London Film Festival to a monumental close.”

Ayer, whose End of Watch, which also starred Peña, screened at the festival in 2012, said it was a “great honor” to be chosen for the closing night.

“It’s a true pleasure to be returning to England, where we shot the film – the fields of Oxfordshire and Bovingdon Airfield in Hertfordshire were our home for 12 weeks last year, so it’s something of a homecoming for us to present the movie at its European premiere,” he said. “I’m thrilled that festival audiences will be among the first in Europe to see it.”

Fury sees Pitt play a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy, in command of a U.S. Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a mission behind enemy lines as the allies make their final push against Germany in 1945.

In addition to Pitt and Peña, the film also stars Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs and Scott Eastwood.

It is due for release in the U.S. on October 17, having recently been moved by Sony Pictures from a November 14 slot.

Trailer Released for Peña & Brad Pitt’s WWII Action Drama “Fury”

It’s war for Michael Peña

Sony Pictures has released the first full trailer for its World War II action film Fury, starring the 38-year-old Mexican American actor and Brad Pitt.

Michael Peña in Fury

The film centers on a battle-hardened sergeant in the 2nd Armored Division named Wardaddy (portrayed by Pitt), who commands a Sherman tank called “Fury” and its five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

Along with Pitt and Peña, who portrays Trini Garcia, the film also stars Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf and John Bernthal.

Sony will release the David Ayer-directed film on November 14.

Luna’s “Chavez” Claims an Audience Award at the South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival

The future looks like bright for Diego Luna’s biopic on Cesar Chavez

The 34-year-old Mexican actor-turned-director’s film Chavez about the life of the life of Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist earned an audience award at the South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival.

Cesar Chavez

Chavez, which stars Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson and John Malkovich, took home the audience prize in the Narrative Spotlight category.  

The film premiered in the Berlinale Special Galas section of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival last month.

Here’s a look at the SXSW Film Festival Audience Award winners:

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITIONAudience Award Winner: Before I Disappear
Director: Shawn Christensen

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITIONAudience Award Winner: Vessel
Director: Diana Whitten

DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHTAudience Award Winner: DamNation
Director: Ben Knight & Travis Rummel

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT Audience Award Winner: CESAR CHAVEZ
Directors: Diego Luna

VISIONSAudience Award Winner: Yakona
Director: Anlo Sepulveda & Paul Collins

MIDNIGHTERSAudience Award Winner: Exists
Director: Eduardo Sánchez

EPISODICAudience Award Winner: Silicon Valley
Director: Mike Judge

SXGLOBALAudience Award Winner: The Special Need
Directors: Carlo Zoratti

FESTIVAL FAVORITESAudience Award Winner: The Case Against 8
Director: Ben Cotner & Ryan White

SXSW Film Design Awards EXCELLENCE IN POSTER DESIGN

Audience Award Winner: Big Significant Things
Designer: Corey Holms

EXCELLENCE IN TITLE DESIGN Audience Award Winner:  True Detective
Designer: Patrick Clair for Elastic