Tag Archives: Paramount

Scott Mescudi to Star Opposite Idris Elba in Paramount+ & SEGA’s Series “Knuckles” 

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Scott Mescudi is hedge-ing his bets…

The 39-year-old half-Mexican American rapper, singer and actor, also known by his stage name Kid Cudi, has joined the cast of the Paramount+ and SEGA series Knuckles, with Idris Elba set to reprise role of titular character.

Scott “Kid Cudi” MescudiMescudi is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Edi Patterson, Julian Barratt and Ellie Taylor.

Adam Pally, who appeared in the most recent Sonic the Hedgehog sequel will reprise his role of Walt Whipple with Rory McCann guest starring. In addition, Tika Sumpter will guest star, reprising her role as Maddie.

The series is currently in production and will follow Knuckles on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.

The series takes place between the films Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, marking the next installment of the hit franchise, which is slated for December 20, 2024.

All of the key creative team from the previous films are returning for the series, including Jeff Fowler, the films’ director, who is directing the pilot episode, as well as Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, John Whittington and Toru Nakahara, who serve as executive producers on the series. Elba also serves as executive producer.

Additional directors for the series include Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone and Carol Banker.

Whittington, who penned Sonic the Hedgehog 2, wrote the pilot and is the head writer for the series. The other series writers include Brian Schacter and James Madejski.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 earned over $190 million in domestic box office, and over $214 million internationally for a combined total gross of over $405.4 million. On Paramount+, the sequel marks the top-performing Kids & Family film on the service and is also one of the service’s most re-watched films.

Melissa Barrera to Star in Radio Silence’s Untitled Monster Thriller

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Melissa Barrera has reportedly landed a monster role…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress has been cast in Radio Silence’s Untitled Monster Thriller at Universal.

Melissa BarreraRadio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett, who directed the recent Scream films that Barrera has starred in, will helm the project with Scream producer Chad Villella serving as producer alongside William Sherak, Paul Neinstein and James Vanderbilt at Project X Entertainment.

The script was written by Stephen Shields, with revisions by Guy Busick.

Universal Monster films are rooted in the horror genre, with no restrictions on budget, rating or genre. They are not part of a shared interconnected universe, which allows each film to stand on its own. This new direction is filmmaker-driven, inviting innovative filmmakers with original, bold ideas for these characters to develop the stories and pitch them.

Radio Silence has been loosely developing the project since last year following the success of their first Scream pic, but given the success of that film, Paramount moved fast to get Scream VI up and running. While they began meeting with other talent, it became evident pretty quickly that Barrera was the perfect fit for the role following two successful shoots with the rising star and offered her the part.

Barrera is in theaters as the lead of Scream VI, which is the highest-grossing film of the franchise. She next will be seen this spring in the modern musical reimagining of Carmen, opposite Paul Mescal for Sony Pictures Classics.

Also upcoming for Barrera is God’s Country, directed by Egor Abramenko as his American directorial debut; Your Monster from Merman Productions; and The Collaboration written by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody), based off the acclaimed play.

She most recently was seen in the independent film All the World Is Sleeping as well as Netflix’s global hit Keep Breathing and STX’s supernatural thriller Bed Rest, which was also Barrera’s producorial debut.

Ariana DeBose to Return as Host of This Year’s Tony Awards Ceremony

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Ariana DeBose will be heading back to the Tony Awards… 

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress/singer will return as host of this year’s Tony Awards ceremony.

Ariana DeBoseDeBose, who earned a Tony nomination for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, hosted last year’s broadcast to general acclaim.

This year’s event, the 76th Annual Tony Awards, will air live from United Palace in New York City’s Washington Heights on Sunday, June 11, on CBS.

“I was honored to serve as host last year and even more so to be asked back,” DeBose said in a statement. “So looking forward to celebrating this incredible season and the people who make the work happen. Here’s to adding some uptown flavor to the magic of the Tony Awards.”

Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League said in a joint statement that DeBose is a “force both on and off the stage,” and that the event presenters and producers are “thrilled to welcome back one of Broadway’s brightest lights to dazzle, inspire and illuminate this year’s Tony Awards.”

“Ariana will host and dance and sing, we’re so thrilled she’s back to do the thing,” said Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, Executive Producers, White Cherry Entertainment.

DeBose won an Oscar last year for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, and was Tony-nominated in 2018 for her role as “Disco Donna” in Broadway’s Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Other stage credits include Hamilton, A Bronx Tale, Pippin and Motown the Musical, among others.

Notable television and film credits include the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! and the Netflix adaptation of the Broadway musical The Prom. She’ll next be seen in the feature films Kraven the Hunter, Wish, House of Spoils, Argylle and I.S.S.

The 76th Tonys celebration will recognize Broadway productions of the 2022-2023 season. The Tony Awards eligibility cut-off date for the season is Thursday, April 27; nominations will be announced on Tuesday, May 2.

The 76th Annual Tony Awards will air live Sunday, June 11, at 8:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm PT on CBS, and stream live and in-demand on Paramount+.

Cardi B & Family Join Voice Cast of Upcoming Animation Film “Baby Shark’s Big Movie!”

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Cardi B is hitting the high seas for a new project…

The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar has joined the voice cast of the upcoming animation film Baby Shark’s Big Movie!

Cardi BThe film is the first feature-length spin-off from Baby Shark’s Big Show!, a pre-school series which began in 2021 on Nickelodeon-branded channels and platforms and is now in its second season.

The show is co-produced by Nickelodeon Animation and Seoul, Korea-based The Pinkfong Company and directed by Alan Foreman. Its narrative follows Baby Shark and his family as they move to Chomp City, the big city of sharks.

Cardi B is joined by several members of her own family. While the multi-platinum icon portrays Sharki B, her partner and fellow musician Offset gives voice to Offshark, while children Kulture plays Kulture Shark and Wave as Wavey Shark.

The film is set to premiere later this year exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S and shortly after on Paramount+ internationally where the service is available. In Korea, Southeast Asia and China, the film is distributed by The Pinkfong Company. Paramount+ is carried as a branded block in Korea on the CJ ENM-controlled platform Tving.

Cardi B, Offset and Kulture had previously appeared on the television version of Baby Shark’s Big Show!

The film will also star regular voice actors from the Baby Shark’s Big Show series, including: Kimiko Glenn as Baby Shark; Luke Youngblood as William; Natasha Rothwell as Mommy Shark; Eric Edelstein as Daddy Shark; Debra Wilson as Grandma Shark; and Patrick Warburton as Grandpa Shark.

In other, guest roles, the movie will be voiced by Ashley Tisdale, as Stariana, a sharp-witted and manipulative rising pop starfish who wants to take center stage with a splash hit; Aparna Nancherla; Ego Nwodim; Chloe Fineman; K-pop act Enhypen as a band of belugas; and Lance Bass as a TV announcer.

According to a synopsis from the producers Baby Shark’s Big Movie! sees Baby Shark forced to leave behind the world he loves after his family moves to the big city. He must adjust to his new life without his best friend, William. When Baby Shark encounters an evil pop starfish named Stariana who plans to steal his gift of song in order to dominate all underwater music, he must break her spell to restore harmony to the seas.

The show had its origins as “Pinkfong Baby Shark,” which launched on YouTube in November 2015 and became the world’s first video to hit 10 billion views on the platform. It has generated hit songs and the viral phenomenon, #BabySharkChallenge, which generated over 1 million cover videos around worldwide.

Melissa Barrera & Jenna Ortega’s “Scream VI” Breaks Franchise Record with $44.5 Million Opening Weekend

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Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega are officially Scream queens…

The 32-year-old Mexican actress and singer and her 20-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American’s Scream VI collected $44.5 million in its opening weekend, a great start for Paramount and Spyglass Media’s long-running slasher film series.

Melissa Barrera & Jenna OrtegaThe ticket sales were enough to top domestic box office charts over two newcomers, Sony’s prehistoric sci-fi thriller 65 and Focus Features’ heartwarming comedy Champions, as well as last weekend’s victor Creed III.

 

The initial haul for Scream VI is frighteningly strong for the sixth installment in a franchise. Not only did it greatly improve upon the start of last year’s hit reboot Scream, which scored with $30 million, but it crushed the series’ opening weekend record, previously set by 2000’s Scream 3 with $34 million. Scream VI cost $35 million, so it’ll easily turn a profit in its theatrical run.

“It’s extraordinary to have this type of result after six films,” says Chris Aronson, Paramount’s president of domestic distribution. “We blew away the opening of the last ‘Scream.’ That doesn’t happen.”

The R-rated “Scream VI” added another $22.6 million from 53 international markets, bringing its global tally to $67.1 million.

“Reviews and audience scores are very good, and international business should be solid,” says David A. Gross, who runs the film consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “27 years after launching in 1996, the franchise is healthier than ever.”

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Scream VI follows survivors of Ghostface’s murders as they leave Woodsboro behind for a fresh start in New York City. Courteney Cox, Barrera, Ortega and Hayden Panettiere return for the film, which is the first installment without Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott. The actor departed the film because she felt “the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.

”Opening weekend audience members skewed slightly male (51%), while 71% were between the ages of 18-24.

Giovanni M. Porta Signs with Range Media Partners

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Giovanni M. Porta is expanding his range…

The Latino screenwriter and producer has signed with Range Media Partners.

Giovanni M. PortaPorta’s first produced project, At Midnight, premiered on Paramount+ in February.

The Mexican rom-com directed by Jonah Feingold tells the story of two people who do their best not to fall in love. The film centers on hotel manager Alejandro (Diego Boneta), who lives a predictable life according to plan, and Sophie (Monica Barbaro), a beautiful rising movie star with an unreliable celebrity boyfriend. During a visit to Mexico’s beach to shoot scenes for her new movie, Super Society, Sophie meets and becomes enamored with Alejandro. Neither of them will be able to avoid falling in love and going against all odds.

Porta wrote the script with Feingold and Maria Hinojosa and also served as co-executive producer.

He currently has further projects in development with Paramount+, as well as such notable producers as Platinum Dunes, Mandalay Pictures, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Karen Rosenfelt.

Porta previously penned the biopic Hedy, on the Old Hollywood starlet Hedy Lamarr, which Amazon Studios awarded Best Screenplay, as part of the Athena’s List screenwriting competition in 2019.

The Pepperdine University grad was born and raised in both Miami, Florida and Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Range Media Partners is a management and production company, founded in September of 2020, with clientele spanning film, television, music, literary, tech and activism.

Taiga Brava to Compete on Season Two of Paramount+’s “Queen of the Universe”

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Taiga Brava is hitting the global stage with a mission…

Queen of the Universe returns for a second season on Paramount+, with the Mexican drag performer set to compete for the coveted crown on the drag queen singing competition.

Taiga BravaTaiga Brava, who hails from Cancun, Mexico, is ready to make both her homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she’s confident she’s got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

But she isn’t the only Latina drag performer set to compete…

Chloe V, who hails from Rio de Janeiro, is hoping to be the second Brazilian drag performer to win the competition after Grag Queen claimed the inaugural title.

With a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, Chloe V is confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown.

Chloe VGraham Norton will serve as this season’s host.

The show is set to premiere on the streamer starting March 31 in the U.S. and Canada with the U.K., Latin America, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia seeing it on April 1.

Queen of the UniverseThe reality competition sees drag queens from around the world go head-to-head vying for a cash prize of $250,000. Former Spice Girls star Mel B joins the panel of judges that includes RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, Vanessa Williams and drag queen Trixie Mattel.

Here more on the drag queens of Queen of the Universe Season 2:

AURA ETERNAL (Palermo, Italy)
Having previously appeared on the second season of “Drag Race Italia” where she made it to the top three, Aura Eternal has already demonstrated sickening skills in her homeland. But now Aura’s ready to show the rest of the world she’s got vocal chops that equal her stunning looks and is ready to become the next singing drag queen global sensation!

CHLOE V (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
With Brazil having won last season’s QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, Chloe V knows she’s got big stilettos to fill. But with a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, she’s confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown!

JAZELL ROYALE (Orlando, Fla., U.S.)
Jazell Royale is more than just a gorgeous face and an award-winning pageant queen, and the time is now for her star to shine. She may be known in the USA for her many titles and viral videos, but she hopes that the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage will allow her to be remembered for her biggest asset – her voice!

LOVE MASISI (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Having lived in several different countries throughout their adventurous life, Love Masisi is now proud to call the Netherlands home. After a previous appearance on “Drag Race Holland” season 2, they’re ready to showcase their passion for music and spread a message of hope and love all over the world.

MAXIE (Manila, Philippines)
Maxie may already be known in the Philippines as a top-tier performer and LGBTQ advocate, but now she’s ready to be known as a universal singing sensation! Although she’s appeared on TV several times beginning when she was just a kid, she’s never left her home country. Now she’s ready to step onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage for a shot at her dream.

MILITIA SCUNT (San Francisco, Calif., U.S.)
Known in California for her edgy drag looks and her soulful singing voice, Militia Scunt is ready to conquer the universe and become the next singing drag queen superstar. A triple threat with singing, dancing, and style skills, she’s confident she’s got the goods to smack down the competition and bring the crown to the USA – period!

MISS SISTRATA (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Miss Sistrata, reporting for beauty! This former soldier is ready to walk onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage like the true diva that she is. And with vocal abilities and looks that leave audiences gagged and begging for more, she’s ready to make her mark on the competition.

TAIGA BRAVA (Cancún, México)
Taiga Brava arrives to the main stage from the sunny shores of Cancun, ready to make both her homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she’s confident she’s got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

TREVOR ASHLEY (Sydney, Australia)
Trevor Ashley is a seasoned theater queen who’s been part of the Australian drag community for over 20 years. Despite her many career successes (including winning the Aussie equivalent of the Tony Award) this is her first televised singing competition – and the diva from Down Under is ready to deliver!

VIOLA (Coventry, England, U.K.)
At only 19, Viola may be the youngest contender in the competition but don’t be deceived – she’s a talented musician who’s been working towards this opportunity her entire life. Having joined the drag community only a few years ago, this rising star is ready to show the universe just how bright she can shine.

Global drag icon and multi-Emmy Award winner RuPaul serves as an executive producer on the series, alongside MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, the producers of the Emmy Award-winning franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Paramount Releases Super Bowl Commercial Trailer for Michelle Rodriguez-Starrer “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”

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Michelle Rodriguez is thieving with honor…

Paramount has revealed its 30-second Super Bowl commercial trailer for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, starring the 44-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress.

Michelle RodriguezThe action comedy, an adaptation of the iconic Hasbro role-playing game, will hit theaters on March 31.

In addition to Rodriguez, the film also stars Chris Pine, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head and Hugh Grant.

The film centers on a band of unlikely adventurers who undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic. Things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley directed the script they wrote with Michael Gilio.

The Super Bowl ad treatment is the latest big push for the D&D movie, after the Paramount and eOne pic was slotted into the opening-night position at SXSW, where it will mark its world premiere March 10.

When the first trailer premiered at Comic-Con last summer, Grant noted the film has “a Monty Python sensibility.” More is expected of it for sure than a 2000 movie take on the game, with Goldstein saying “there are characters from the Lore as well which will provide a runway into multiple films.”

Fox’s coverage of the Super Bowl on Sunday begins at 10:00 am PT/1 pm ET, with kickoff at 3:30 pm PT/6:30 pm ET.

Melissa Barrera Starring in New Genre Film “God’s Country”

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Melissa Barrera is heading to God’s country…

Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho is teaming up with ZQ Entertainment to produce God’s Country, a new genre film starring the 32-year-old Mexican actress and Scream reboot star.

Melissa BarreraThe film will mark the American directorial debut of Egor Abramenko.

The film, which will head into production this summer, will see Barrera playing a young Salvadoran woman who travels to Kentucky to meet her fiancé. What she uncovers is something sinister beyond comprehension, as her American dream curdles into a nightmare of biblical proportions.

Will Soodik wrote the script. Reeves and Rafi Crohn will produce for 6th & Idaho, alongside ZQ Entertainment’s Ara Keshishian and Petr Jákl (who financed the development), Adam Kassan (End of Watch), and Barrera.

“Egor is an exciting emerging talent,” Reeves told Deadline, “and I’m thrilled to be making a monster movie together.”

Barrera is best known for her turns in Paramount/Spyglass’ Scream reboot, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical In the Heights for Warner Bros. and HBO Max and the acclaimed Starz series Vida.

She’ll next be seen in Scream VI, which is out March 10; Sony Pictures Classics’ Carmen with Paul Mescal; and the Anthony McCarten-scripted feature The Collaboration, based on the acclaimed play.

Cardi B to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Grammy Awards Show

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Cardi B is taking the stage on music’s biggest night…

The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar will help hand out awards at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 5.

Cardi BPreviously, Cardi B made Grammy history as the first and only woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album as a solo artist was the second female rapper to have her album nominated for Album of the Year.

Other presenters include Viola Davis, Olivia Rodrigo, Shania Twain and Dwayne Johnson. Davis will become an EGOT if she wins in her category, best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording, on Sunday.

Performers set to appear on the show are Harry Styles, Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, Steve Lacy and Sam Smith & Kim Petras.

The Recording Academy made its first performers announcement a week ago. It added a big name – Styles – on Sunday, January 29. The announcement was made during the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game aired on CBS, the Grammys’ network since 1973.

Three of this year’s four leading nominees – Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and Adele – have yet to be announced as performers. But the Academy is expected to announce additional performers in the remaining days before the big show.

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards will air live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and will be hosted for the third year in a row by Emmy-winning comedian Trevor Noah.

The show will be broadcast live on Sunday, February 5, at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on CBS, and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards are produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy. Raj Kapoor serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside Ben Winston and Jesse Collins as executive producers. Phil Heyes joins the team for the first time as director. Eric Cook is co-executive producer with Tabitha Dumo, Tiana Gandelman, Patrick Menton, David Wild as producers.

Prior to the telecast, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater at 12:30 pm PT, and it will be streamed live on live.Grammy.com. Randy Rainbow, a first-time Grammy nominee this year for best comedy album for A Little Brains, A Little Talent, is co-hosting the show. His co-host has yet to be named.

Performers at the Premiere Ceremony include Arroj Aftab, Madison Cunningham, Samara Joy, Anoushka Shankar, Carlos Vives and The Blind Boys of Alabama with La Santa Cecilia.

Presenters at the Premiere Ceremony include Babyface, Domi and JD Beck, Myles Frost, Arturo O’Farrill, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Jimmy Jam.