Carlos Eric Lopez Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Eric Lopez has new representation…

The Mexican-American personality, founder, photographer, creative director and cultural curator with more than a decade of experience in the entertainment and lifestyle industry has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Lopez is behind the yearly Dia de Muertos celebration that brings together prominent figures from the Latino community, uniting hundreds of artists, tastemakers, executives, musicians, grassroots organizers and celebrities.

Last year’s celebration honored Gael García Bernal with the Life & Legacy award. He’s also the founder of Cura Lita, a beverage company that celebrates and honors the Latino community and its rich heritage.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to bring my culture, ancestry, and other Latinos with me on this new adventure,” Lopez said in a statement to Deadline. “Together, we’ll write a new chapter of success and empowerment for Latinos everywhere, because when one of us grows, we all grow.”

Last year, CAA launched of CAA Latino, an initiative to drive new opportunities to its Latino and Hispanic clients including Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Angel Manuel Soto and Ana de Armas, while also expanding their roster with new talent.

In addition to Carlos Eric Lopez, On My Block star Jessica Marie Garcia recently joined the agency.

Jessica Marie Garcia Signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Marie Garcia has new representation…

The 36-year-old Cuban & Mexican American actress has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Garcia currently recurs on the NBC comedy series Lopez Vs. Lopez opposite George and Mayan Lopez, as cousin ‘Yesika’. Before that, she starred on Netflix’s “Most-Binged Original” hit series On My Block as the spitfire ‘Jasmine Flores’, a role that earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination for Best Summer TV Actress and an MTV Movie & TV Award nomination.

She also appeared in Gina Rodriguez’s Disney+ series Diary of a Female President as ‘Camila,’ as well as recurring on Shonda Rhimes’ How To Get Away With Murder playing ‘Rhonda’ opposite Viola Davis. Additionally, she starred in all four seasons of the Disney Channel original series Liv and Maddie as ‘Willow Cruz.’

Her feature film Avenge the Crows, in which she plays ‘Peaches,’ a tough inner-city gang member, starring alongside Danny Trejo and Lou Diamond Phillips, is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. You can see her earlier work on shows including ABC’s The Middle, as the tough wrestlerette, ‘Becky,’ and as ‘Sierra Cruz’ on ABC Family’s Huge.

Garcia is also a member of the all-female ensemble cast of Betch: A Sketch Show, streaming now on Paramount+. She has also lent her voice to both seasons of the Love in Gravity podcast, which received special recognition at the 2023 GLAAD Awards. She additionally voiced ‘Renee Montoya’ in the hit original audio drama Batman Unburied for Spotify and voiced ‘Ami’ for the audio original book The Honeymoon Crashers by the writing duo Christina Lauren.

Garcia is branching out with her production shingle, where she has been writing and producing, most recently with her film Illegally Brown, directed by Gabby Revilla Lugo, which was recently on the festival circuit. She also shot the film What To Expect with director Gabriela Garcia Medina.

Danny Ramirez to Star in Season 2 of HBO’s “The Last of Us”

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

You haven’t seen the last of Danny Ramirez.

The 31-year-old Colombian & Mexican American actor has joined the cast for the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us.

Ramirez is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Ariela Barer, Tati Gabrielle and Spencer Lord.

Based on Naughty Dog’s video game, The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed.

Joel, played by SAG Award-winnerPedro Pascal, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

Ramirez will play Manny, a loyal soldier whose sunny outlook belies the pain of old wounds and a fear that he will fail his friends when they need him most.

Barer portrays Mel, a young doctor whose commitment to saving lives is challenged by the realities of war and tribalism.

Gabrielle is Nora, a military medic struggling to come to terms with the sins of her past.

Lord plays Owen, a gentle soul trapped in a warrior’s body, condemned to fight an enemy he refuses to hate.

In addition to Pascal and Ramsey, Season 1 also starred Gabriel Luna, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman, Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Lamar Johnson, Keivonn Woodard, Graham Greene, Elaine Miles, Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker.

The Last Of Us Season 2 is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television.

Ramirez’s previous credits include Top Gun: Maverick, The Gifted, On My Block and Black Mirror. He’ll portray Joaquin Torres in Captain America: Brave New World.

Keyla Monterroso Mejia to Star in Mindy Kaling’s Untitled Comedy Series for Netflix

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Keyla Monterroso Mejia is answering the Kal(ing)…

The 25-year-old Guatemalan & Mexican American actress and Curb Your Enthusiasm scene-stealer will star in Mindy Kaling‘s Netflix comedy series, set in the world of pro basketball, lead by Kate Hudson.

Monterroso Mejia is among a roster of cast newcomers that includes Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman, Chet Hanks and Roberto Sanchez, who previously starred in Queen of the South.

In addition to Hudson, they join previously announced cast members Brenda Song, Drew Tarver and.

In the as-yet untitled comedy series, when a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Hudson) is appointed President of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business. Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job, especially in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports.

Guido plays Jackie Moreno, a popcorn vendor at the stadium where the Waves play, Jackie can’t believe it when he is suddenly thrust into the inner circle of his favorite team. Now he has the opportunity to work his way up the organization from the ground floor.

Monterroso Mejia plays Ana Moreno, Jackie’s cousin who is also a personal injury attorney. Ana is smart, ambitious and always looking for an angle.

Sanchez is Stephen Ramirez, the intimidating head of the board who’s been with the Waves through generations of Gordons. He’s old-fashioned, no-nonsense, and a constant reminder of the old guard, making Isla desperate to prove she’s more than just Jack Gordon’s little daughter.

The 10-part series is written and executive-produced by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, who serves as showrunner.

Guido’s television credits include the role of Mikey Gutierrez on Mr. Iglesias, a major recurring role on Perry Mason, as well as Welcome To The Family, The Night Shift and Wisdom of the Crowd.

Monterroso Mejia is perhaps best known for her absurdly hilarious role as Maria Sofia on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her other credits include the major recurring role of Ashley on Abbott Elementary, as well as On My Block spinoff Freeridge and is in post on Amazon Studios’ Will Ferrell & Reese Witherspoon wedding comedy You’re Cordially Invited.

Sanchez will next be seen in a major recurring role on Starz’s BMF and in Apple TV+’s upcoming Palm Royale. His previous credits include Queen of the South and 2 Fast 2 Furious.

Danny Ramirez to Star in Live Reading of Oscar-Nominated Drama “Anatomy of a Fall”

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Danny Ramirez is studying anatomy…

The 31-year-old Colombian and Mexican American actors will star in a live reading of the Oscar-nominated drama Anatomy of a Fall.

Ramirez will star alongside Riley Keough, Bob Odenkirk, Jay Ellis, Kate Berlant, Quincy Isaiah and Olivia Wilde in the reading.

Keough takes on the lead role of Sandra, which earned Sandra Hüller an Academy Award nomination for best actress this year.

In addition to the human cast, the movie’s dog Messi will reprise his role as Snoop.

The event, taking place on February 14 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, is presented by Neon and Film Independent. The film’s director Justine Triet will co-direct with Franklin Leonard of The Black List.

“My partner Arthur and I wrote this script while in quarantine together,” Triet said in a statement on Saturday. “What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than with this caliber of talent exploring relationships, love and truth? We are so excited at the opportunity to collaborate with Film Independent.”

In addition to best actress, Anatomy of a Fall’s Oscar nominations include best original screenplay, best editing, best director and best picture.

The film has won the Palme d’Or, two Golden Globe Awards – including best screenplay – and two Gotham Awards. Anatomy of a Fall has been highly recognized by more than 25 national critics groups, in addition to garnering nominations from the Producers Guild of America and American Cinema Editors.

Past live readings at the Wallis have included Love Actually, Back to the Future, Jennifer’s Body and Triangle of Sadness.

For more information and tickets for the live reading, go to filmindependent.org.

Ramirez’s previous credits include The Gifted, On My Block and Top Gun: Maverick.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Nikki Rodriguez’s Coming-of-Age Series “My Life With The Walter Boys”

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Nikki Rodriguez is hanging with the boys…

Netflix has released the first trailer for My Life With The Walter Boys, starring the Latina actress and On My Block star.

The coming-of-age romance series, based on the popular Wattpad novel by Ali Novak, also stars Sarah Rafferty and Marc Blucas.

The story follows fifteen-year-old Manhattanite Jackie Howard (Rodriguez) after losing her family in a tragic accident. Jackie leaves behind her privileged and proper life in New York and moves to rural Colorado to be with her guardian – her mother’s best friend, Katherine (Rafferty), who is raising ten kids with her husband, George (Blucas). While settling into her new, chaotic countryside home, Jackie is determined to stay focused on her dream of getting into Princeton…all while wrapping her head around her feelings for two very different Walter brothers: the reliable and bookish Alex, and the mysterious and troubled Cole. As Jackie tries to navigate her new life, the feelings and tensions she tries to deny threaten to throw everything off course. Will she be able to stay true to herself and still find romance?

The cast also includes Noah LaLonde, Ashby Gentry, Connor Stanhope, Johnny Link, Corey Fogelmanis, Dean Petriw, Lennix James, Alix West Lefler, Isaac Arellanes, Myles Perez, Zoë Soul, Alisha Newton, Jaylan Evans, Ashley Tavares, Moheb Jindran, Ellie O’Brien, Mya Lowe, Gabrielle Jacinto, Nathaniel Arcand and Alex Quijano.

The series is created by Melanie Halsall, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer. Ed Glauser also executive produces. It’s produced by iGeneration Studios and Sony Pictures Television, International Production.

RLJE Acquires North American Rights to Action Thriller “Muzzle,” Featuring Diego Tinoco

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Tinoco will help bring the thrill to American theaters…

RLJE has acquired the North American rights to Muzzle, an action thriller starring Aaron Eckhart and featuring the 25-year-old Mexican, Colombian and Ecuadorian American actor.

Directed by John Stalberg Jr. and based on a script by Carlyle Eubank from a story by Eubank and Stalberg Jr., the film is set to debut in theaters and will be made available on all rental platforms on September 29.

RLJE is a business unit of AMC Networks.

“Muzzle is a fully charged ride led by a gripping performance from Aaron Eckhart,” said RLJE Film Chief Acquisitions Officer Mark Ward, “We can’t wait to unleash the film to audiences this fall.”

“We are thrilled to have Mark and the outstanding team at RLJE come on board to distribute Muzzle. They are the perfect partner to introduce this exciting action-packed thriller to audiences in the U.S,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser.

“Muzzle is an intense and compelling actioner full of twists and turns – we are so proud to be a part of this fantastic project!” added Highland Film Group COO Delphine Perrier.

Eckhart starsas LAPD K-9 officer Jake Rosser who has just witnessed the shocking murder of his dedicated partner by a mysterious assailant. Blocked by Internal Affairs, muzzled by his own superiors from finding the shooter’s identity, Jake resolves to go rogue and partners with “Socks”, a violent K-9. Together, the pair works to unravel a vast conspiracy.

The ensemble also includes Stephen Lang, On My Block star Tinoco, Penelope Mitchell and Kyle Smithson.

Screen Media Acquires North American Rights to Diego Tinoco’s Crime Film “Bad Hombres”

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Tinoco’s latest film is headed to North American theaters…

Screen Media has acquired the North American rights to the crime film Bad Hombres, starring the 25-year-old Mexican and Colombian American actor, ahead of its world premiere at the Mammoth Film Festival.

Directed by John Stalberg Jr., the thriller features an ensemble cast that includes Luke Hemsworth, Thomas Jane, Nick Cassavetes, Tyrese Gibson, Tinoco, Hemky Madera and Paul Johansson.

Screen Media is planning a theatrical release later this year, followed by a digital release soon after.

The film follows the story of two immigrants who take a simple job, but when their employers reveal themselves to be criminals, surviving becomes the most difficult job of their lives.

“We are thrilled to acquire such a gripping, tense crime thriller with an exceptional cast,” said David Fannon, chief acquisitions and distribution officer at Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “John Stalberg Jr. has created an intense, uniquely irreverent and suspenseful film that will keep audiences engaged from start to finish.”

Tinoco’s credits include Teen Wolf, On My Block and Mourning War.

National Hispanic Media Coalition to Honor Colman Domingo at This Year’s Impact Awards Gala

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is makin’ an impact…

The National Hispanic Media Coalition has announced its honorees for this year’s Impact Awards gala, with the 52-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist among those being feted.

Domingo is part of a roster of honorees that includes Francia Raisa, George Lopez, Mayan Lopez and Yvett Merino.

On My Block star Jessica Marie Garcia will serve as host of the festivities; U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro will make a special appearance.

Returning to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel after last year’s virtual celebration, the Impact Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals dedicating themselves to creating a more inclusive entertainment industry through the positive portrayal of the Latinx community, both in front of and behind the camera.

“This year’s honorees have helped push the industry forward and have been instrumental in the movement for an increased and accurate representation of Latinos in Hollywood from the very start of their careers,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition in a statement. “NHMC is thrilled to be returning to an in-person celebration after a year, and what better way to make our return than by honoring some of Hollywood’s most illustrious movers and shakers.”

The Impact Awards Gala is just one part of the NHMC’s overall mission to spotlight the importance of accurate, fair, and positive representation in media, including advocating for an increased number of Latino writers on major networks, the increased representation of diverse talent on major television and film sets, and educating media and industry executives on the variances of Latino culture.

The Impact Awards gala will take place on September 9.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Jason Genao’s YA Comedy Limited Series ” Boo, Bitch”

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Bitchin’ new project for Jason Genao…

Netflix has released the official trailer for Boo, Bitch, an eight-episode live-action YA comedy limited series starring Lana Condor and the 25-year-old Dominican-American actor and On My Block star.

Hailing from Erin Ehrlich and Lauren Iungerich, the series stars Condor as Erica Vu, a high school senior who’s lived her life safely under the radar. Over the course of one night, she seizes the opportunity to change her narrative and start living an epic life, only to find out the next morning… she’s a motherf*%king ghost.

In addition to Condor and Genao, the cast also includes Zoe Colletti, Mason Versaw, Aparna Brielle and Tenzing Norgay Trainor.

Writers Ehrlich and Iungerich created a new take on an original script optioned from newcomers and co-creators Tim Schauer and Kuba Soltysiak.

Boo, Bitch premieres on July 8 on Netflix.

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