Paul Perez Signs Production Deal with Warner Bros.

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Paul Perez has landed a new production deal…

The Cuban American film producer and former Warner Bros. development executive has agreed to a production deal at the Burbank, CA lot.

The announcement comes as the Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan romantic comedy, Father of the Bride, a project Perez spearheaded and produced at the studio, hits HBO Max on Thursday, June 16.

During his time at Warner Bros, Perez was involved with the development of Ready Player One, Dune and Doctor Sleep.

He came to Warner Bros. after a development executive stint at Lionsgate’s Pantelion where he worked on the Eugenio Derbez hit movie, Instructions Not Included, which wound up being Mexico’s highest grossing export of all-time with $100.5M WW, as well as Spare Parts and No Manches Frida.

Perez initially cut his teeth in the industry reading scripts for producer Ben Odell (now Derbez’s production partner at 3Pas Studios) and working in the Miami William Morris offices.

Father of the Bride is a project close to Perez’s heart given his Cuban American Miami heritage. He came to the property while combing through the Warner library in a quest to develop revamped IP. The project’s momentum swelled after Perez discussed it at a Warner Bros. development exec retreat, with the studio’s President of Production Courtenay Valenti ultimately taking to Matt Lopez’s screenplay.

The fresh angle in this Latino take of Father of the Bride: the bride’s parents played by Garcia and Estefan are on the verge of a divorce. Perez married the package with burgeoning Mexican filmmaker Gary Alazraki.

While recent audiences are familiar with the Steve Martin–Diane Keaton–Martin Short 1991 Touchstone remake (a hit back then grossing over $89M and spawning a 1995 sequel), the film was originally an MGM title released in 1950, directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett and Elizabeth Taylor.

Warners had inherited the title in their acquisition of the pre-May 1986 MGM library via their absorption of Turner Films in 1995. Disney had licensed the title during the ’90s and in recent years Father of the Bride’s underlying rights reverted back to Warners.

Perez under his new deal is also shepherding the new Training Day prequel at the studio. That film is set around the time of the L.A. Riots that followed after the infamous Rodney King verdict.

“Warner Bros. is thrilled that Paul Perez will have a first look producing deal with the studio,” says Valenti. “Paul is a valued colleague who spent several years in development and production at WB. During that time he showed extraordinary creativity and strategic thinking looking to reinvent several classic library titles. One of those titles is Father of the Bride. We love Gaz Alazraki’s film of Father of the Bride and are very grateful to Paul for beginning the film process with his idea for how to reimagine this wonderful world.”

Omar Chaparro to Star in His First English-Language Television Series “Coyotes M.C.”

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Omar Chaparro is switching tongues…

The 47-year-old Mexican actor will star in and produce the English-language television comedy/action series Coyotes M.C. from Moxie 88.

The project is currently being pitched to streamers/buyers.

The How To Be a Latin Lover and Detective Pikachu actor will portray a business ethics professor whose life is upended when he is called to step in for his father, the infamous Latino criminal biker gang leader Los Coyotes MC.

Moxie 88 co-founders Eugenio Villamar and Dan Carrillo Levy created Coyotes M.C. as a star vehicle for Chaparro’s first English-language television series and currently holds the rights to the project.

Carrillo Levy and Villamar will act as executive producers, writers, and creators on the show. Chaparro and Jay Weisleder will serve as executive producers. Moxie 88’s VP of Development, Eugenia Esponda, will serve as a co-executive producer.

Chaparro currently holds the record as the highest-grossing actor in the Mexican box office, starring in some of Mexico’s highest-earning films in history.

He most recently starred in Detective Pikachu opposite Ryan Reynolds, Pantelion Films’ No Manches Frida and its sequel, as well as How To Be A Latin Lover and Overboard alongside Eugenio Derbez, and Show Dogs.

Chaparro also hosted the first two seasons of The Masked Singer Mexico, which aired via Univision domestically.

Fernanda Castillo Signs Overall Deal with Pantaya

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Fernanda Castillo has a new deal…

The 39-year-old Mexican actress has signed an overall deal with Pantaya.

As part of the agreement, Castillo will star in and co-produce original series and films (via Pantelion Films) for the company.

Castillo and Pantelion previously partnered on the film No Manches Frida, one of the top-grossing Spanish-language comedies, and Ya Veremos, which is one of the most successful films on the streamer.

“One of the most fascinating and exciting things about my work as an actress is that it allows me to cross borders and tell stories that have an impact on the culture and identity of the viewers,” Castillo tells Deadline.

“I am honored to be able to create content with Pantaya for the U.S. Hispanic community and for this to be a bridge that allows us to connect to our roots and reflect who we are,” she continued. “I am thrilled to be part of their mission to give Latinos the premium television content they deserve.”

Pantaya and Pantelion’s CEO, Paul Presburger added, “Fernanda is an incredible talent, and her films are consistently fan favorites amongst Pantaya subscribers. We are thrilled to collaborate with her on this new slate of projects and to be continuing the aggressive growth of our talent partnerships and content offerings.”

Pantaya’s partnership with Castillo is the third talent deal for the streamer, who recently announced deals with Maite Perroni and Mauricio Ochmann.

Omar Chaparro to Star Opposite Josh Duhamel in the Action Film “Blackout”

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Omar Chaparro is blacking out…

The 45-year-old Mexican actor/comedian will star in the action movie Blackout, which is scheduled to get underway this week in Mexico City.

Chaparro will star opposite Josh Duhamel, Abbie Cornish and three-time Oscar nominee Nick Nolte in the film.

Blackout will follow Cain (Duhamel), who wakes up in a Mexican hospital with no memory. After meeting Anna (Cornish), he discovers who he is but soon finds himself fighting for his life as several warring cartel factions attack him, each looking for something he has stolen. Cain looks towards co-worker and mentor, DEA Agent McCoy (Nolte), for answers.

The Patriot Pictures feature will be directed by Sam Macaroni, director of the VR fight sequences on John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Script comes from Van B. Nguyen.

The production will be following SAG COVID-19 protocols.

Chaparro’s previous credits include How to Be a Latin Lover, Detective Pikachu and No Manches Frida.

Omar Chaparro & Son Emiliano to Star in Pantaya’s Motorcycle Docuseries “Chaparreando”

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Omar Chaparro is hittin’ the road…

The 45-year-old Mexican actor, comedian and television host is set to star in a motorcycle docuseries for the Lionsgate-backed streaming service Pantaya.

Pantaya, a joint venture between the U.S. studio and Hemisphere Media Group, has ordered the six-part series titled Chaparreando.

The series will follow Chaparro, who starred in Detective Pikachu and Overboard, and his teenage son Emiliano on a motorbike journey through Mexico. Chaparro shares the countryside and colorful characters of his native state of Chihuahua to teach his son about his own roots.

The series, which will launch on Pantaya on October 15, is produced by 3Pas Studios with Eugenio Derbez and Ben Odell executive producing alongside Chaparro.

“Omar is a friend and constant collaborator with us at 3Pas. He’s a comedic force of nature but this show is not just funny as hell, it’s an immigrant’s love letter to his country,” said Odell and Derbez.

“Omar has been a great partner on No Manches Frida, Overboard and other Pantelion hits, and the Pantaya team has been searching for the right vehicle for him. We were happy to find it in his own motorcycle. Collaborating on Chaparreando with 3Pas, Omar and his son Emiliano, and the production team was a joy and we know audiences will share that excitement when they watch with their own families,” said Mario Almeida, Pantaya Vice President of Programming, Development, and Acquisitions.

Chaparro co-hosted the Mexican version of Netflix’s Nailed It!,

Omar Chaparro to Star in Sony’s Original Comedy “Tequila Re-Pasado”

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Cheers to Omar Chaparro’s new project…

The 45-year-old Mexican actor/comedian has been cast as the lead in Tequila Re-Pasado, an original comedy from Sony Pictures International Productions. Chaparro will also act as executive producer.

Spanish director María Ripoll is helming the film, re-teaming with Sony after recently wrapping Guerra de Likes in Mexico for the studio.

The new film, adapted from an original script by Judd Pillot and Gerald B. Fillmore,follows a workaholic who must outwit his multiplying clones after a magical tequila travels him back in time – again and again – in order to make things right with his family.

“I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to finally work with Omar. We’ve been looking for the right project for years, and now we have it,” said Said Laine Kline, Head of SPIP.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with a powerhouse like Maria again,” added Sandra Condito, SVP of International Film Production. “She exemplifies everything you could hope for in a director, bringing this project to life with her distinct yet universal vision through her ability to transcend cultural boundaries.”

Production is scheduled to begin in Mexico spring 2021.

Chaparro was the star of Spanish-language box office smash No Manches Frida, which was Mexico’s fourth highest grossing film ($11.8M) of all time before it was topped by its 2019 sequel ($17M), again starring Chaparro. The films, which also grossed north of $20M in the U.S., were remade from 2013 German hit Fack ju Göhte.

Lionsgate & Pantelion Films to Release Higareda’s Spanish Comedy “3 Idiotas” in June

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Martha Higareda is hitting the road this summer…

Lionsgate and Pantelion Films will release the Spanish-language comedy 3 Idiotas, starring the 33-year-old Mexican actress on June 2.

Directed by Carlos Bolado, the film centers on two nerdy friends and their arch rival from college who go in search of a long lost buddy who disappeared on graduation day.

The film, in which the characters relive college life and recall memories of their friend who inspired them to think differently even as the rest of the world called them idiots, also stars Alfonso Dosal, Christian Vázquez, Germán Valdés, Vadhir Derbez and Rodrigo Murray.

Higareda co-write the screenplay with Bolado, Antonio Abascal and Cory Brusseau. It is said to be a remake of the 2009 Bollywood film starring Indian superstar Aamir Khan.

Higareda’s film credits include McFarland, USA and No Manches Frida.

Chaparro’s “No Manches Frida” Opens Solidly at the U.S. Box Office

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Omar Chaparro has a hit on his hands…

Lionsgate/Pantelion Films’ Spanish-language film No Manches Frida, starring the 41-year-old Mexican actor, had a solid start over the Labor Day weekend.

The comedy opened in 362 locations grossing $3.65 million Friday to Sunday.

The comedy, from Lionsgate and Televisa’s Pantelion Films label, grossed $3.65 million in 362 locations from Friday to Sunday, with an estimated $4.65 million for the entire Labor Day weekend.

Starring Chaparro, Martha Higareda and Mónica Dionne had a three-day per theater average of $10,083, the highest of any film in national release and second-highest for the weekend overall.

It’s Pantelion’s second most successful opening weekend ever, behind only Instructions Not Included, which grossed over $7.84 million in its debut weekend in late August 2013 in 348 theaters ($22,547 average), going on to cume over $44.4M.

No Manches Frida outgrossed the label’s 2015 Labor Day weekend release Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos, which bowed in 395 locations, taking over $3.42 million ($8,670 PTA). It went on to cume over $9 million.

“Labor Day weekend has historically been very positive for us,” said Pantelion’s Paul Presburger Sunday morning. “We’ve been at the marketing of the movie for over a month using social media as well as Spanish-language television and radio…We knew we had something strong that would resonate with audiences.”

Pantelion’s Edward Allen, who helped spearhead the project, noted that the film has generated social media attention among younger English-speaking audiences in the run-up to this weekend.

“It’s resonating with fans that may not typically go to our movies,” said Allen.

No Manches Frida is a re-make of 2013 German film Fack ju Göhte. It’s the story of Zequi, a recently released bank robber who goes to recover stolen money buried by his ditzy accomplice before going to jail. They return to the site only to find that Frida Kahlo High has built a gymnasium over the loot. To get the money, he poses as a substitute teacher for a school that can’t seem to keep any teachers around. He meets the sweet and earnest Lucy, as well as an unruly classroom. Lucy and her fellow teachers have no control over the students, and Zequi comes in ready to lay down the law- but he quickly finds out that life on the inside may have been easier to deal with than a school full of wild and rebellious teenagers.

The film will open in Mexico in two weeks.

Added Presburger: “We’ll be supporting the movie this week with additional media, while talent will be down in Mexico to support the movie there.” No Manches Frida will expand next week, but specifics will be decided after the holiday weekend.

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