Wagner Moura to Star in Apple TV+’s Crime Drama Series “Sinking Spring”

Wagner Moura is springing forward with a new television project…

The 46-year-old Brazilian actor and Narcos star will star opposite Brian Tyree Henry in Apple TV+’s crime drama series Sinking Spring, from Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig, in a recasting.

Wagner MouraBetter Call Saul alum Michael Mando was originally tapped for the role but has been let go after an on-set physical altercation with another cast member.

The recasting is being done during filming on the series, directed and executive produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free Productions.

Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book Dope Thief, Sinking Spring follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.

Moura will play Manny Cespedes, a good-hearted friend of Ray’s (Henry), who he first met when they did time together in the Youth Authority.

Craig created the eight-episode series, executive produces and directs one episode. Scott executive produces for Scott Free Productions.

The series hails from Apple Studios and will be produced by Scott Free Productions.

Moura recently starred opposite Elisabeth Moss in the Apple TV+ series Shining Girls.

Michael Mando to Star in Apple TV+’s Crime Drama Series “Sinking Spring”

Michael Mando is springing into action…

The 41-year-old Latino Canadian actor and Better Call Saul star has been cast opposite Brian Tyree Henry in Apple TV+’s crime drama series Sinking Spring.

Michael MandoThe project, which hails from Peter Craig, will be directed and executive produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free Productions.

Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book Dope ThiefSinking Spring follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.

Mando will play Manny Cespedes, a good-hearted friend of Ray’s (Henry), who he first met when they did time together in the Youth Authority.

Craig created the eight-episode series, executive produces and will direct one episode. Scott executive produces for Scott Free Productions alongside David W. Zucker, Jordan Sheehan and Clayton Krueger.

Henry executive produces, and Tafoya will serve as consulting producer.

The series hails from Apple Studios and will be produced by Scott Free Productions.

Mando portrayed Nacho Varga on all six seasons of AMC’s Better Call Saul, recently receiving Hollywood Critics Association Awards, Saturn Awards and Gold Derby nominations for Best Supporting Actor for the final season.

He’s also known for the role of Vic in Orphan Black, Vaas Montenegro in the Far Cry VG franchise, as well as The Scorpion in Spiderman: No Way Home.

Salma Hayek to Star in MGM & Scott Free Production’s Feature “House of Gucci”

Salma Hayek is House-bound…

The 54-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated actress has joined the cast of House of Gucci, the feature film from MGM and Scott Free Productions currently in production.

Salma Hayek

Hayek joins an all-star cast that includes Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Jared Leto and Jack Huston, with Ridley Scott directing.

“So happy to have my good buddy Salma join our wonderful cast,” said producer Giannina Scott. “I’ve been talking with her about this Gucci project for 20 years. Now it’s happening and she is a part of it. Rid and I are thrilled.”

Ridley and Giannina Scott will produce via their Scott Free Productions banner.

The film tells the story of how Patrizia Reggiani (Gaga), the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci (Driver), plotted to kill her husband, the grandson of renowned fashion designer Guccio Gucci. Hayek will play Pina Auriemma, who was a clairvoyant friend of “Black Widow” Reggiani, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison after her trial in 1998.

Roberto Bentivegna penned the script. House of Gucci will be released in the U.S. via MGM’s distribution joint venture United Artists Releasing on November 24. The film will be distributed internationally via Universal Pictures.

Hayek next can be seen in Lionsgate’s The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguardwhich will bow on June 16. She also has Marvel’s The Eternals coming out on November 5 and recently was seen in Amazon’s Bliss. 

Matias Varela to Star in TNT’s New Sci-Fi Drama from Scott Free Productions

Matias Varela is ready for battle…

The 38-year-old Galician actor has been cast as a series regular opposite Travis Fimmel in Scott Free Productions’ straight-to-series sci-fi drama for TNT, which will mark Ridley Scott’s television helming debut.

Matias Varela

The series from writer-showrunner Aaron Guzikowski, Scott Free and Turner’sStudio Trevolves around two androids tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. As the burgeoning colony of humans threatens to be torn apart by religious differences, the androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task.

Varela will play Lucius, a loyal soldier, who is trying to make up for the perceived failings of his father, a man whose sense of kindness and mercy were his ultimate undoing. Lucius is so committed to reversing his father’s legacy, that he devotes himself to serving the very man who executed him, a man he believes may be a savior to his people.

Varela was most recently seen starring as real-life DEAinformant Jorge Salcedoin Netflix’s Narcos. He’s currently shooting the Swedish limited series Blindedand recently wrapped Jesper Ganslandt’s next feature film 438 Dagar, in which he stars opposite Gustaf Skarsgård. His other recent film credits include Assassin’s Creed and Point Break. 

Amazon to Debut Arias’ Comedy Pilot “Jean-Claude Van Johnson” in August

Moises Arias is ready to chop and kick…

Amazon has set the lineup for its 2016 comedy pilot season, with the 22-year-old Colombian American actor and former Hannah Montana star’s project Jean-Claude Van Johnson scheduled to debut on August 19 in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and Japan.

Moises Arias

Starring martial arts film star Jean-Claude Van Damme, the pilot centers on “Jean-Claude Van Johnson,” a global martial arts and film sensation…and, operating under the simple alias of “Johnson,” the most dangerous undercover private contractor in the world. Lucky for the world’s bad guys, he’s been retired for years…unlucky for them, a chance encounter with a lost love is about to bring him back to the game…and this time, he’ll be deadlier than ever. Probably.

In addition to Van Damme and Arias, the project also stars Kat Foster and Phylicia Rashad

From Scott Free Productions, the pilot is directed by Peter Atencio and written by Dave Callaham.

Arias credits include television appearances on Wizards of Waverly Place, Everybody Hates Chris and The Suite Life on Deck, as well as an acclaimed role in the coming of age film The Kings of Summer.

Amazon customers can stream and review the pilots to help choose the next Amazon Original Series that will be available for Amazon Prime members.

The pilots will be available via the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices including Fire TV, and mobile devices, or online.