Vega to Portray Maria Callas in “Grace of Monaco”

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Paz Vega will soon be having an operatic Hollywood moment…

The 36-year-old Spanish actress will appear as the tempestuous opera singer Maria Callas in Grace of Monaco, who stars Nicole Kidman as Hollywood-actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly.

Directed by Olivier Dahan—who helmed the Edith Piaf biopic La vie en rose, which earned Marion Cotillard an Oscar— the film focuses on a six-month period in 1962 when Monaco was in a dispute with France and Princess Grace worked behind the scenes to prevent a coup. At the time, Grace came to know Callas, who was having an affair with Greek millionaire Aristotle Onassis.

It’s Vega’s latest high-profile film project. She’s also set to appear in Pedro Almodovar’s upcoming, re-titled comedy, I’m So Excited.

Ruehl Cast in Fox’s “El Jefe” Pilot

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

HBO’s Luck may have run out of suerte… But that doesn’t mean Mercedes Ruehl’s luck has.

The 63-year part-Cuban actress, who was promoted from guest star to series regular or the second season of HBO’s recently cancelled drama series, will star opposite Ryan Hansen in Fox’s comedy pilot El Jefe.

From writers David Guarascio and Moses Port, the project centers on the affable but lost upper-class 30-year-old Josh (Hansen) who, tossed out of his Brentwood home, moves in with his adoring longtime Latina nanny Delmi (Ruehl), a vibrant woman and a real life force “of sturdy peasant stock.”

Ruehl has experienced a rollercoaster week… After spending several years looking after her family, the Oscar and Tony winning actress was prepared to return to acting when she signed on as a series regular on Luck. But HBO suddenly ended the series on Wednesday following the death of a third horse on the set.

Ruehl wasn’t down and out though. After reading the script for El Jefe and meeting with the writers, Ruehl decided to sign on for the project. She’s expected to start production on the pilot on Monday, less than a week after Luck was cancelled.

In addition to Ruehl, Jessica Camacho has been cast in the pilot. She’ll play Lucia, the girlfriend of Delmi’s son (Victor Rasuk).

Bardem’s Going Blond in New James Bond Film

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Move over Madonna… Javier Bardem is having his own “blond ambition” moment.

The 43-year-old Spanish actor will sport a police uniform and blond wig for his villainous role in the next James Bond movie, according to set photos taken during the film’s shooting in London.

Despite the shroud of secrecy surrounding the next 007 saga, some details have emerged about Skyfall, which features Daniel Craig’s return as Bond.

In the published photos, Bardem—who plays a bad guy named Silva—is dressed as a British cop and wears a blond wig reminiscent in style to the one in the No Country for Old Men, a part that won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

The leading characters of “Skyfall” are in London, where several scenes have been shot in Whitehall, the site of most government offices, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

During a press conference for the film last November, Bardem said that Bond movies bring “good memories” of his youth in Spain and that he was sure the experience was going to be “a lot of fun.”

Bejo Named Best Actress at the Cesar Awards

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Bérénice Bejo has one more coveted award in her trophy collection…

The 35-year-old Argentine actress—who received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress—picked up the best actress award at the 37th annual Cesar Awards on Friday night in Paris for her breakout role in award-winning film The Artist.

To claim the award, Bejo beat out Declaration of War’s Valerie Donzelli, Poliss stars Karin Viard and Marina Fois, Leila Bekhti for The Source, Marie Gillain for Toutes nos envies and Ariane Ascaride for her role in The Snows of Kilimanjaro.

It’s the latest award for Bejo, who steals the show in the silent, black-and-white film. The Artist star picked up a Lumiere Award at France’s version of the Golden Globes earlier this year for her role as Peppy Miller, among other awards.

In all, France’s Academy of Technical Arts and Sciences lavished six awards including French film of the year on The Artist at the awards show.

Bejo now heads to Los Angeles, where The Artist will vie for 10 Academy Awards at Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.

del Toro Encouraging Puerto Ricans to Reject Domestic Violence

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Benicio del Toro is encouraging people in his native Puerto Rico to love themselves and reject domestic violence.

The 44-year-old Oscar-winning actor, the official spokesperson of the “Aprendi a quererme” campaign, will give motivational messages along with the Christian pop rock group Sueño de Hormiga in the media, on Facebook and the campaign’s website.

“Who the heck said that to really love you have to put up with so many insults, shouting and humiliation. Get out of here … Learn to love yourself,” del Toro demands in one of the campaign’s television spots.

In addition to convincing people to love themselves, the campaign also hopes to teach people to avoid becoming victims of the pattern of mistreatment and for the aggressors to value their family and learn to keep their anger in check

Sueño de Hormiga’s Richie Dalmau added that the campaign is designed to get people to recognize that families need to instill positive values and family members need to treat each other with respect.

The campaign comes in response to the wave of violence on the island of Puerto Rico, where a record number of 1,136 murders were committed in 2011.

Ruehl’s a Luck’y Lady!

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Luck be a lady tonight for Oscar-winner Mercedes Ruehl!

The 63-year part-Cuban actress is moving from guest star to series regular on HBO’s drama series Luck in its second season.

Ruehl, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1991 for her role in The Fisher King, plays Julietta Caligari, the mother of Renzo (Ritchie Coster). It’s a role she originates in an upcoming guest appearance on the horse racing drama series’ current freshman season.

Starring fellow Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, Luck is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of horse racing and gambling’s denizens—owners, trainers, jockeys and gamblers.

Luck received a 10-episode second-season pickup last week shortly after its official premiere.

Most recently, Ruehl has appeared on Entourage, Psych and Law & Order.

Naranjo May Soon Direct His First Big Studio Film…

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He’s gained critical acclaim for helming Mexico’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submission, Miss Bala… And, now Gerardo Naranjo could be directing his first big studio film.

The Mexican filmmaker is currently in negotiations with 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment to helm The Mountain Between Us—an adaptation of the Charles Martin novel, a harrowing tale of survival and love.

It centers on Ashley, a writer catching a flight from Salt Lake City for her wedding on the East Coast. Meanwhile, Ben is a doctor returning from a medical conference. When their flight cancelled due to a broken de-icer, the strangers agree to charter a ride, only to see the pilot suffer a heart attack and crash into a desolate snowy mountain region. Fortunately, Ben is an avid climber who works to get her down the mountain. As the injured pair struggle to get down from the mountain in harsh weather conditions, Ashley begins to realize that maybe she was preparing to marry the wrong guy.

Naranjo is coming off the success of Miss Bala, an intense and riveting thriller about an innocent beauty queen who gets caught up in the Mexican drug wars.

Mendes to Pay Tribute to Paul McCartney

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He recently scored an Oscar nomination for Penning a song that celebrates the beauty and magic of Brazil in the animated film Rio… And now Sergio Mendes is preparing to pay tribute to a former member of The Beatles.

The 70-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter will sing at the MusicCares tribute to Paul McCartney event.

Hosted by British comedian Eddie Izzard, the MusiCares Person of the Year event is one of the special events held during Grammy week, which culminates with the live telecast of 2012 Grammy Awards on February 12 at Staples Center.

Proceeds from the event will benefit MusiCares, an organization that helps musicians struggling with financial, medical or personal issues.

Along with Mendes, the night’s list of performers include Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Coldplay and Norah Jones.

In addition, past MusiCares Person of the Year honorees Tony Bennett and James Taylor will perform as well.

Cruz Bares Shoulder in New PETA Anti-Fur Ad…

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Despite the bitter cold temperatures in New York City, Penelope Cruz isn’t afraid to bare arms, or in this case, shoulders for a good cause.

The 37-year-old Oscar-winning actress gives fur the cold shoulder as part of PETA’s latest ad campaign.

Cruz, mother to one-year-old Leo with hubby Javier Bardem—is appearing on a 70-foot billboard that debuted near New York City’s Penn Station on Wednesday.

“Penelope has appeared on every ‘best-dressed’ list in the world, and the one thing you’ll never see her wearing is fur,” PETA’s Senior VP Lisa Lange tells Us Weekly in a statement of the animal rights group’s latest spokesmodel. “PETA couldn’t ask for a more fitting emblem of the modern, glamorous woman who knows that there’s nothing more beautiful than a woman who has a look that kills without anyone having to die for it.”

Cruz—who is preparing to work on her second film project with Woody Allen, who directed her an Academy Award in Vicky Cristina Barcelona—joins the likes of Taraji P. Henson and Bethenny Frankel in supporting the cause.

Cruz’s Second Woody Allen Film to Hit Theaters Next Summer…

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Penelope Cruz’s second project with Woody Allen will definitely hit theaters in the United States next summer…

The 37-year-old Spanish actress—who scored a Best Supporting Actress Oscar after appearing in Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona in 2008—appears in the legendary director’s next film, Nero Fiddled.

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all North American and United Kingdom rights to the Allen’s film, which was shot in Rome over the summer, and they have big hops it will translate into a hit when they release it next year.

“More laughs in this one than you can imagine,” says Sony Pictures Classics. “We know it’s a bit premature, but thank you Woody and company, for granting us the perfect summer comedy of 2012. Keep ‘em coming.”

Along with Cruz, the romantic comedy stars Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Jesse Eisenberg and Ellen Page.

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