Rodriguez & Her “Furious 7” Costars to Receive Special Hollywood Film Award

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez is getting a Furious recognition…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican-American actress and her Furious 7 costars will receive a special honor at this year’s Hollywood Film Awards.

Furious 7, the Universal Pictures sequel that is now the fifth highest-grossing film of all time, will be feted with the Hollywood Blockbuster Award, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The award will be bestowed on the entire cast, which includes Jordana Brewster, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson and the late Paul Walker.

The ceremony, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 1, will also honor Amy director Asif Kapadia with the Hollywood Documentary Award for his film about the late Amy Winehouse.

And a host of other accolades will be celebrate extraordinary work in crafts and technical categories.

This year’s Hollywood Film Awards will not be televised, unlike last year’s, which aired on CBS. Nevertheless, Dick Clark Productions, which became a key investor in the event in 2013, will continue to produce it.

“The Hollywood Film Awards is an incredible brand, previewing some of the biggest movies and stars of the year, while launching the award season,” says Allen Shapiro, CEO of DCP.

The recipients of the event’s many other awards will be announced in the coming days and weeks.

Rodriguez & Brewster’s “Furious 7” Becomes Universal Pictures’ First-Ever Billion-Dollar Film

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster have a billion reason to celebrate…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican-American actress and 34-year-old Brazilian-Panamanian actress’ latest film, Furious 7, has become Universal Pictures’ first-ever billion-dollar movie, and the entertainment company’s leader talked online about the notable moment for the 103-year-old studio.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our history,” NBCUniversal Vice Chairman Ron Meyer wrote in a blog post as the setua-sequel raced past that global-boxoffice milestone in just its 17th day in release.

The actioner, also starring Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker, has banked an estimated $265.3M domestically and is expected to win again this weekend both at hone and overseas, making it three consecutive winning frames.

Early Friday matinee estimates show that Furious 7 is on track to make $8M-$8.5M for a three-day estimate of between $25 million and $26 million. It still is commanding the Imax screens in its third weekend. The film took in about $2.9M Thursday on 4,022 total runs. The actioner, which stopped production after Walker died in a November 2013 car crash, initially was supposed to bow last summer, but that date had to be overhauled. With the extra time, Universal was able to pick the perfect distribution date and implement a strong marketing campaign with two of the most social powerhouses on the Internet: Diesel and Dwayne Johnson.

Picking the April 3, 2015, distribution date meant the film was able to enjoy four weeks of play both on Imax and in the nation’s theaters until May 1, when Marvel/Disney releases mega-sequel Avengers: Age Of Ultron.

Furious 7 is the first film since last year’s Transformers: Age of Extinction to top $1 billion worldwide and already is No. 20 on the all-time list.

Rodriguez’s “Furious 7” Nearing $1 Billion Mark Globally

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez may have a billion reasons to celebrate soon…

Furious 7, starring the 36-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican-American actress, shot past the $800 million mark globally after less than two weeks in theaters.

The film’s performance essentially insures it will become the first film in the Fast and Furious franchise and the first Universal Pictures release in history to top $1 billion.

Furious 7 easily topped foreign box office charts over the weekend, picking up $195 million from 22,000 locations across 66 territories. Its international total stands at $548 million through Sunday. Domestically, Furious 7 earned $60.6 million, besting all comers, and bringing its U.S. total to $252.5 million.

Fans of the series have flocked to theaters to see how the film would handle the death of Paul Walker, who was killed in a 2013 car crash before shooting on the film was completed.

“That’s the emotional current running through the movie, and it’s what’s helping it hold up and play better than any of the other films in the franchise,” said Phil Contrino, vice president and chief analyst at BoxOffice.com.

The film’s boffo results propelled the franchise past the $3 billion at the worldwide box office. The Fast and Furious series has now generated $3.18 billion through the weekend. The seventh installment now ranks as the highest-grossing one, passing Fast 6’s $789 million total to establish a new high-water mark.

Furious 7 got a big boost from its debut in China, where it opened in first place on Sunday and grossed an estimated $68.6 million. That is the highest-grossing one-day result ever for the People’s Republic.

In Russia, Furious 7 also debuted in first place, picking up $15 million. It also debuted to $1.9 million in Poland. Furious 7 has one major market left to open, Japan on April 17.

Universal Releases Three-Minute Trailer for Rodriguez’s “Furious 7”

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez is ready to take crazy “to a whole new level”…

Universal Pictures has released a new three-minute trailer for Furious 7, starring the 36-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress.

“I don’t have friends — I got family,” asserts Vin Diesel in the high-octane trailer.

In addition to Rodriguez and Vin Diesel, the film also stars the late Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky, Lucas Black, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey and Romeo Santos.

Meanwhile, Jason Statham makes his debut as the film’s villain, who is keen on getting revenge.

Fast & Furious 7 will be released in theaters on April 10, 2015.

Universal Pictures to Release Rodriguez’s “Fast & Furious 7” Next April

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez will be getting fast and furious next Easter…

Universal Pictures has moved up the release date of Fast & Furious 7, starring the 35-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress, ahead to Easter weekend.

The franchise sequel originally had an April 10 release date, but Fast & Furious 7 is now set to hit theaters on April 3.

The move gives the film an extra weekend of play before the April 17 debut of Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.

James Wan is directing this latest installment of the blockbuster series, which again stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker — in his last film — Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster and others, including franchise rookies Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou and Kurt Russell.

Rodriguez is set to reprise her role as Leticia “Letty” Ortiz, a role that earned her Fandango Cine’s Latino Performance of the Year at the Premios Tu Mundo in 2013.

Santos to Star Opposite Michelle Rodriguez in “Fast & Furious 7”

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Romeo Santos is making a furious acting debut…

The 32-year-old Dominican and Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and former lead singer of the Bachata group Aventura has joined the cast of Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious 7.

Santos, a chart-topping, Grammy-nominated musician, was joined onstage at his sold-out Staples Center concert in Los Angeles by Fast & Furious franchise star Vin Diesel, who made the announcement to the singer’s fans.

Santos’ role in the James Wan-directed sequel hasn’t been revealed yet.

But he will be joining Jason Statham, Kurt Russell and more newcomers alongside series returners Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Lucas Black and the late Paul Walker.

Fast & Furious 7 will be released in theaters on April 10, 2015.

Lovato Named to DoSomething.com’s Celebs Gone Good List

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is being honored for giving back…

The 21-year-old part-Mexican American actress/singer and now retired The X Factor judge has been named to DoSomething.com’s list of Top 20 Celebs Gone Good of 2013.

Lovato, who comes in at No. 15, is the only Latino/a artist to make the list this year.

Lovato was recognized for publishing the book Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year, (a 365-day collection of Lovato’s most powerful, honest and hopeful insights to give young people everywhere daily affirmations).

But that’s not all she did to make a difference in 2013…

Lovato also gave a lot of love to her favorite charity Free the Children throughout the year. She launched Demi’s Charity Boutique on eBay, with proceeds from the boutique’s sales supporting Free the Children, and also appeared on a celebrity edition of The Price is Right, earning almost $50,000 for Free the Children.

Other celebrities making this year’s list include Taylor Swift, One Direction, Beyoncé Knowles, the late Paul Walker, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Seacrest and Carrie Underwood.

Click here to see the complete list of honorees.

Rodriguez Helps Propel “Fast & Furious 6” to the Top of the Global Box Office Charts

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez’s return from the dead has helped make Fast & Furious 6 an insta-hit at the global box office…

Fast & Furious 6 took top honors at the Memorial Day box office in the United States with $120 million for a worldwide total of $317 million — a franchise best and the biggest debut of all time for Universal Pictures.

The action pic has taken in $197 million internationally, including $17 million earned since opening last weekend in the U.K. and Ireland.

Fast 6, which cost $160 million to make, even zoomed past The Hangover Part III, the final installment in Todd Phillips‘ R-rated comedy franchise.

Boosting Fast 6‘s stellar performance were an A CinemaScore and the strong turnout among minorities, while Hangover III could have been hurt by a B CinemaScore (the last film received an A- CinemaScore) and poor reviews.

Specifically, Fast 6 benefited mightily from Latinos, who made up 32 percent of the audience and are the most frequent moviegoers in the U.S.

“This isn’t just a car racing movie anymore. It’s an action pic with broad appeal,” said Universal president of domestic distribution Nikki Rocco, noting how unusual it is for a franchise to gain such strength with time. “And it played to a tremendously diverse audience.”

Along with the return of Rodriguez’s Letty, Fast 6 sees the return of stars Van Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Jordana Brewster.

Overseas, Fast 6 has placed No. 1 in each of the 60 territories where it has opened. The pic earned $160.3 million over the weekend proper, and $180 million for the four-day weekend (Monday is a holiday in many countries). Fast 6 nabbed the biggest opening of all time in the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East and Argentina.

Rodriguez & Vin Diesel Get Their Race On in Latest “Fast & Curious 6” Clip

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez isn’t afraid of a good challenge…

In a new clip for Fast & Furious 6, which features the 34-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress’ “return from the dead,” Rodriguez’s character chats briefly with Vin Diesel’s character, who challenges her to a race with him.

British singer Rita Ora then steals the spotlight for a second when the singer, who appears as the “head girl” of a London racing crew, gets the honor of being the starter girl.

“This is London, baby,” she says, before finally letting Rodriguez and Vin Diesel start their race.

Fast & Furious 6 centers on Dom and his crew as they are given a task by Hobbs to stop an organization of lethally skilled mercenary drivers, which is apparently led by Owen Shaw with Dom’s ex-girlfriend Letty (Rodriguez) as his assistant.

Despite the shocking return of Letty, Dom and his friends still regroup in London to do their job with full pardons to return home and make their families whole again as their payment.

The film, which also stars Jordana Brewster, Paul Walker and Luke Evans, is slated for release on May 24 in the United States.

Rodriguez Makes a Speedy Appearance in Final “Fast & Furious 6” Trailer

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Michelle Rodriguez isn’t just back from the dead in Fast & Furious 6; she’s back behind the wheel…

In the final trailer for the action film, which Universal Pictures just released, the 34-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress makes her much-anticipated return to the film franchise in a speedy way.

In addition to Rodriguez, the film also stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Dallas star Jordana Brewster.

Fast & Furious 6 opens nationwide on May 24.

Meanwhile, plans are already underway for the seventh installment of the film, which will be released in 2014.

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