Salma Hayek Named to Time’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” List

Salma Hayek is being feted for her sway

Time magazine has released its list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World,” with the 56-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated actress and film producer making the cut.

Salma Hayek

Each year, the media outlet honors 100 individuals that it perceives as holding sway, pairing the list with praiseful blurbs from contemporaries. The logrolling list contains comedians, sports stars, authors and other influential figures.

“Salma is a great observer and feels everything deeply. She’s strong yet sensitive, and she can read people very well. That’s what makes her a great actor, her ability to put herself in someone else’s shoes, from her breakthrough portrayal of Frida  Kahlo to her most recent performance as Maxandra in Magic  Mike’s Last Dance,” says Penelope Cruz in her write-up. “Her huge heart, great intelligence, and charisma are a winning combination, but the thing I’m most proud of is that she’s always entirely herself. As one of the first Latinas working in Hollywood, she’s opened so many doors for people who followed. She is a total revolutionary, and there’s still so much she will do.”

But Hayek isn’t the only Hispanic/Latinx artist to make the list.

Aubrey Plaza, who won a SAG Award this year for being part of the ensemble cast of HBO’s The White Lotus, received her special tribute from Amy Poehler.

“I met Aubrey, a deeply versatile actor and producer, almost 15 years ago on Parks  and Recreation, where she played the droll and mischievous intern April Ludgate. I knew two things immediately: I was working with a determined and profoundly talented woman with big plans, and I had met a dear friend for life,” says Poehler of the 38-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/comedian. “Her work over the past decade has been acutely truthful and always surprising—whether conveying fear-based choices in Emily the Criminal, manic breakdowns in Black Bear, chilly secret keeping in The White Lotus, or whatever big and ballsy swing is up next in Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis.”

Zoe Saldaña, who became the first performer to appear in the top three highest grossing films globally earlier this year, received a tribute from Mila Kunis.

“Whether she’s kicking butt in Guardians of the Galaxy, saving humanity in Avatar, or making you bawl your eyes out in From Scratch, she’s always on top of her game,” writes Kunis of the . Zoe has also been a trailblazer for women and people of color in Hollywood, breaking down barriers and advocating for greater diversity and representation. She’s not afraid to speak out for what she believes in, and uses her platform to make a positive impact.

Other honorees include international soccer star Lionel Messi; Chilean actor Pedro Pascal; executive director of OnPoint NYC, Sam Rivera; Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Colombian president Gustavo Petro and Mexican activist María Herrera Magdaleno.

The list was first published in 1999. Nominations are secured from Time 100 alumni and the international writing staff. The final list is exclusively chosen by Time editors. There is also a commemorative gala held to celebrate the list winners.

For the full list of nominees, visit Time.com/Time100.

Trailer Released for Netflix’s “That ’90s Show,” with Wilmer Valderrama Returning as Fez

It’s a reunion to remember for Wilmer Valderrama

The 42-year-old Venezuelan and Colombian American actor and some of his fellow That ’70s Show cast mates are reuniting to welcome the next generation in the first trailer for Netflix’s That ’90s Show.

Wilmer Valderrama Season 1 premieres on January 19.

In addition to Valderrama, who portrayed Fez on That ‘70s Show, other returning stars include Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman and Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman in series regular roles; Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, Valderrama, and Tommy Chong will reprise their roles on the series as special guests.

The trailer also reveals the identity of Michael Kelso (Kutcher) and Jackie Burkhart’s (Kunis) son: Jay Kelso, who is played by previously announced regular Mace Coronel.

In That ’90s Show, it’s 1995 and Leia Forman (Callie Haverda) is desperate for some adventure in her life or at least a best friend who isn’t her dad (Grace). When she arrives in Point Place to visit her grandparents, Red and Kitty, Leia finds what she’s looking for right next door when she meets the dynamic and rebellious Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide).

With the help of Gwen’s friends, including her lovable brother Nate (Maxwell Donovan), his smart, laser-focused girlfriend Nikki (Sam Morelos), the sarcastic and insightful Ozzie (Reyn Doi), and the charming Jay, Leia realizes adventure could happen there just like it did for her parents all those years ago. Excited to reinvent herself, she convinces her parents to let her stay for the summer. With a basement full of teens again, Kitty is happy the Forman house is now a home for a new generation and Red is, well…Red.

The multi-cam That ’90s Show was created by That ’70s Show alum Gregg Mettler — who serves as showrunner — That ’70s Show co-creators Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner, and their daughter Lindsay Turner. The quartet executive produces alongside Rupp, Smith as well as Marcy Carsey, and Tom Werner under the Carsey-Werner Company, which produced That ’70s Show and its offshoot That ’80s Show

John Leguizamo to Serve as Presenter at 94th Annual Academy Awards Show

John Leguizamo has a date with Oscar

The 61-year-old Colombian actor will serve as a presenter for this year’s Academy Awards show.

John LeguizamoLeguizamo joins a roster of presenters that includes Daniel KaluuyaMila Kunis, Lupita Nyong’oNaomi ScottWesley Snipes, John Travolta, Ruth E. CarterKevin Costner, Anthony Hopkins, Zoë KravitzLady Gaga, Lily James, Simu LiuRami MalekRosie PerezChris RockUma Thurman and Yuh-Jung Youn.

The Oscars will air live on March 27 on ABC.

Oscarcast producers Will Packer and Shayla Cowan had previously discussed the presenters who’ll form part of the show.

“Movies inspire us, entertain us and unite us across the globe,” Packer said at the time. “That’s the precise goal of the show this year, and we’re thrilled to welcome the first of a stellar lineup joining the Oscars stage to help us celebrate the power of film and honor the year’s best in filmmaking.”

The Power of the Dog leads the field with 12 nominations coming into this month’s Oscar show, and Dune is next with 10.

ABC will air the 94th annual Academy Awards live from Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET and in 200-plus territories around the world.

Vertical Entertainment Acquires North American Rights to Rodrigo Garcia’s Addiction Drama “Four Good Days”

Good days ahead for Rodrigo Garcia

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American rights to the 61-year-old Colombian television and film director, screenwriter and former cinematographer’s Four Good Days, a drama starring his Albert Nobbs star Glenn Close and Mila Kunis.

Rodrigo Garcia

The film, which bowed at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, will now hit theaters April 30 and be available on-demand on May 21.

Based on a true story by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post writer Eli Saslow and adapted by Saslow and Garcia, the film centers on 31-year-old Molly (Kunis) who begs her estranged mother Deb (Close) for save her from the grip of heroin addiction in a poignant and unpredictable chronicle of mother and daughter fighting to regain the love and trust that once held them together. Stephen Root also stars along with a cast that includes Chad Lindberg, Rebecca Field, Joshua Leonard, Michael Hyatt and Sam Hennings.

The film is produced by Jon Avnet, Marina Grasic, Jake Avnet, Jai Khanna and Garcia.

The film is presented by Oakhurst Entertainment, financed by Productivity Media and produced by Garcia’s Indigenous Media.

“We are excited to share the impactful message and impeccable performances by Mila Kunis and Glenn Close in Four Good Days with audiences this spring,” said Rich Goldberg, co-president of Vertical Entertainment. “The film, based on a true story, gives audiences a window into the struggle of a mother and daughter trying to rebuild their relationship after a long battle with drug abuse. The conversation around addiction can be complex and difficult for family members to have and we strongly feel that audiences, and most importantly families, will empathize with these characters and possibly even open up the discussion about drug abuse with one another.”

Jennifer Lopez Named GQ’s “Icon of the Year” & Graces the Magazine’s Men of the Year Issue Cover

There’s no doubt Jennifer Lopezis an icon… And now she’s been officially granted the title.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar graces the cover of GQ’s Men of the Year issue on and has been honored as the magazine’s Icon of the Year

“As a movie icon, a global pop icon, and an internet-melting fashion icon, nobody owned 2019 quite like Jennifer Lopez,” reads the cover story on Lopez, who has earned Oscar buzz this year for her performance in Hustlers.

Lopez, who has continues her music career with new music in 2019, will co-headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Shakira in February.

J.Lois the eighth woman to be featured on the cover of GQ’s Men of the Year issue. She joins a roster of women that includes Serena Williams,Gal GadotShailene WoodleyRihanna, Mila KunisScarlett Johansson and Jennifer Aniston.

The Hustlers star spoke with Jessica Pressler, the New York magazine writer who wrote the original story that Hustlersis based on, about her prolific career.

“There is no reason to ever be ashamed of where you’re at. Not when you’re doing your best. Not when you’re in your best moment,” Lopez told Pressler. “There’s always gonna be people to tell you no. Or ‘You can’t.’ Or ‘You shouldn’t.’ It’s gonna happen. No matter what anybody says, you just have to still be like, ‘I’m still doing this. I’m still gonna succeed. I’m still gonna do my best.’ Defy the odds. Why not?”

Rodrigo Garcia to Direct the Drama “Four Good Days”

There are good days in store for Rodrigo Garcia.

The 60-year-old Colombian television and film director is set to direct the drama Four Good Days, about a mother helping her daughter work through four crucial days on the road to recovery from substance abuse.

Rodrigo Garcia

The film will star Glenn CloseMila Kunisand Stephen Root

Launched at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the project is due to begin shooting next week in Los Angeles. 

Root will play the role of Chris, a man worn down by the emotional stress caused by his stepdaughter’s (Kunis) addiction and his wife’s (Close) attempts to save her.

Garcia directs from his own script, co-written by Washington Post 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner Eli Saslow, based on Saslow’s article.

Garcia’s credits include the films Nine LivesMother and ChildAlbert NobbsLast Days in the Desert, as well as the HBO drama series In Treatment.

Grillo-Marxuach Penning “Xena: Warrior Princess” Remake for NBC

Javier Grillo-Marxuach is in warrior mode…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican television screenwriter and producer has been tapped to pen NBC’s planned remake of the popular syndicated action-adventure series Xena: Warrior Princess.

Javier Grillo-Marxuach

Grillo-Marxuach will executive produce the project with the original series’ executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi.

So far, there is no involvement by Lucy Lawless, who toplined the 1995-2001 series, though NBC brass had been open to having her on board in some capacity.

Xena: Warrior Princess

Underscoring NBCUniversal’s hopes to capitalize on the property’s global appeal, the new series is being produced by NBC’s international production unit NBC International Television Studios, headed by Michael Edelstein and JoAnn Alfano.

Grillo-Marxuach (The 100) recently sold the ABC drama project Black Stilleto with Mila Kunis executive producing.

His other credits include Lost, Charmed and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Cruz Named Esquire’s Sexiest Woman Alive

Penelope Cruz has beat out a world of competition to earn a special honor.

The 40-year-old Spanish actress and Oscar winner has been given the title of Esquire‘s Sexiest Woman Alive.

Penelope Cruz - Esquire

Cruz, who stars in the upcoming Spanish-language film Ma Ma and Grimsby with Sacha Baron Cohen is the 10th honoree and the first Latina ever to earn the annual title.

“I’ve played a lot of tricks on myself,” she says in the magazine’s cover story. “I’ve made it hard for me sometimes, especially in my teens and 20s. I had an attraction to drama. Most of us have that, especially if you are an artist — you feel like you are tempted to explore the darkness. I could not be less interested now. For me, the most attractive, charming, cool, fun, interesting thing — how could I call it? A plan.”

Penelope Cruz - Esquire

Previous recipients of the magazine’s Sexiest Woman Alive title include Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Rihanna, Minka Kelly, Kate Beckinsale, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Jessica Biel and Angelina Jolie.

Diaz to Appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night”

It’s game on for Cameron Diaz

The 41-year-old half-Cuban American actress will appear during Jimmy Kimmel’s primetime editions of Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night.

Cameron Diaz

For the seventh consecutive year, in conjunction with the NBA Finals, ABC will air the late night talk show host’s primetime specials, which will air every night of the NBA Finals beginning with Game 1 on Thursday, June 5.

Broadcasts will feature basketball editions of Kimmel’s signature comedy bits Mean Tweets and Lie Witness News.

In addition to Diaz, guests for these shows include Jason Segel, Tracy Morgan, Mila Kunis, Martin Lawrence, Snoop Dogg, Psy, Ice Cube and more.

Previous JKL: Game Night guests include President Barack Obama, Adam Sandler, David Beckham, Liv Tyler, Magic Johnson, Will Ferrell, Matthew McConaughey, Ashton Kutcher, Drew Barrymore, Chris Rock, Danny DeVito and Denzel Washington.

Previous JKL: Game Night  specials have premiered comedy pieces featuring Mike Tyson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Dwyane Wade.

Trailer Released for Vazquez’s New Film with Tom Hanks “Captain Phillips”

Yul Vazquez will soon be hitting the high seas with Tom Hanks

The Cuban American actor, who currently appears on Starz’s Magic City, is starring as Captain Frank Castellano in the Hanks-headlined film Captain Phillips, which has been named the opening-night film at the prestigious New York Film Festival next month.

Yul Vazquez

Directed by Paul Greengrass, the Sony Pictures film tells the true story of Captain Richard Phillips (portrayed by Hanks) and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama.

Phillips was eventually rescued in a dangerous mission by a Navy SEAL team.

Along with Hanks and Vazquez, the film also stars Catherine Keener, Max Martini, Michael Chernus, Chris Mulkey, John Magaro and Angus MacInnes.

Captain Phillips is set to hit theaters on October 11.

Vazquez’s other upcoming projects include Runner Runner with Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake, Blood Ties with Mila Kunis, Clive Owen and Marion Cotillard and Kill The Messenger directed by Michael Cuesta opposite Jeremy Renner.