Arturo Castro to Star in ABC’s Comedy Pilot “Public Defenders”

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Arturo Castro is preparing to defend publically…

The 37-year-old Guatemalan actor and Natasha Lopez will star opposite Anthony Anderson of ABC’s single camera comedy pilot Public Defenders.

Castro and Lopez have been set as series regulars in the pilot, written by Eddie Quintana and to be directed by Randall Einhorn.

In it, up to their earholes in student loan debt, four inexperienced public defenders work tirelessly to keep their clients out of jail. Along the way, they have to rely on one another to navigate their first defendants, the absurd court system and the copy machine that always jams.

Castro will play Efren, the smartest, most charismatic lawyer in the public defender’s office. At least, that’s what he’d tell you. Over-confident, Efren wants to rack up as much trial experience as possible, so he can become the next Johnnie Cochran. But underneath his arrogance is a lawyer who cares deeply about his clients and fights hard to keep them out of jail.

Lopez will play Lindsay who brings street smarts and fashion sense to the public defender’s office. She’s a fiercely competitive lawyer who doesn’t back down from a good fight, even if it means chipping a nail. While her clients get to see her compassion and hard work, her co-workers are left to deal with her intensity and brutal honesty.

Castro can be seen in Mark Mylod’s The Menu for Searchlight, produced by Adam McKay. Most recently, Castro wrapped Road House.

Lopez, who was cast in the 2018 ABC Discovers Showcase, is repped by The Hybrid Agency, Brillstein Entertainment Partners & Imprint.

Eva Longoria to Star in “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” a Film Adaptation of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA Novel

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is revealing some universal Secrets…

The 46-year-old Mexican American actress/producer will star in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a feature film adaptation of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA novel.

Longoria will star opposite Eugenio Derbez, Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Veronica Falcón, Isabella Gomez, Luna Blaise and Kevin Alejandro in the film.

Aitch Alberto wrote the script and will make her directorial debut on the film, which is being financing and produced by Limelight alongside 3Pas Studios and Big Swing Productions, in association with Boies Schiller Entertainment. The film counts Derbez, Kyra Sedgwick and Lin-Manuel Miranda among its producers.

Aristotle and Dante, originally published in 2014, centers on the friendship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza (to be played by Pelayo) and Dante Quintana (Gonzales), two Mexican American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a life-changing bond after a chance meeting at an El Paso pool in the summer of 1987.

Alberto’s writing credits include the HBO Max drama series Duster from J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. She also wrote for Apple TV+’s Little America.

“At its core, Ari and Dante tells a story of self-discovery and acceptance,” Alberto said. “My own journey helped me realize there is nothing more important than standing up and fully embracing who we are and being seen for it. I’m motivated to place a lens on male vulnerability that includes a more empathic and compassionate gaze that helps redefine masculinity specifically for the Latino/a/e/x community. To say this is a dream come true is an understatement.”

Derbez most recently played Bernardo in CODA and stars in 3Pas’ upcoming comedy Acapulco both for Apple TV+.

Longoria’s recent acting credits include the films Sylvie’s Love and The Boss Baby: Family Business and just wrapped her feature directorial debut Flamin’ Hot for Searchlight.

Aimee Carrero to Star in Searchlight’s Comedic Psychological Thriller “The Menu”

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Aimee Carrero is ordering from the menu…

The 33-year-old Dominican and Puerto Rican actress has joined the cast of Searchlight’s The Menu.

The film, directed by Mark Mylod, is a darkly comedic psychological thriller set in the world of eccentric culinary culture, centering on a young couple who visit an exclusive restaurant on a remote island where an acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish tasting menu.

Previously announced cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, John Leguizamo, Nicholas Hoult, and Hong Chau.

Carrero has a long list of credits in both television and film. On the small screen, she’s appeared in The Mentalist, The Americans, Level Up, and Young & Hungry, among others. And in The Last Witch Hunter, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Holidate, and most recently, Wander Darkly, for the big screen.

She’s most famously known for voicing Disney’s first Latina princess Elena of Avalor in the Disney Channel animated series of the same name, and for bringing to life the titular character in Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princess of Power.

Up next for Carrero is a recurring role in The Maid for Netflix set to be released October 1, and the as-yet-untitled The Boys spin-off for Amazon Prime Video.

John Leguizamo In Talks to Star Opposite Anya-Taylor Joy in Searchlight’s “The Menu”

Posted on August 22, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

John Leguizamo is reviewing The Menu…

The 57-year-old Colombian actor/comedian is in final negotiations to join Searchlight’s The Menu from producers Adam McKay and Betsy Koch.

Previously announced cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy, who will portray one-half of the young couple; Ralph Fiennes, who stars as the chef; as well as Nicholas Hoult and Hong Chau in unconfirmed roles.

The Emmy and Tony Award winner is a pioneering Latino actor, writer, producer, and playwright who began his career telling stories about his life growing up in New York City as part of the immigrant community and the colorful characters he met along the way in various comedy specials including 1991’s Mambo Mouth and 1993’s Spic-O-Rama.

Although he made his small screen debut in Miami Vice in the 1980s, he really made a splash with the 1995 sketch comedy series House of Buggin‘—known as the Latino In Living Color. Although it only ran for one season on Fox, creator, writer, and star Leguizamo—alongside costar Luis Guzman—broke ground for Latin Americans on TV.

Notable film credits include Carlito’s Way, To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar, Romeo + Juliet, Summer of Sam, Moulin Rouge, Ice Age, and John Wick.

He also directed and starred in the 2020 bio-drama Critical Thinking based on the real-life story of a Miami inner-city high school chess team that would go on to win the U.S. National Chess Championship.

He also appeared in Bloodline, Waco, When They See Us, and The Mandalorian.

Leguizamo earned four Emmy nominations including one win in 1999 for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program for HBO’s Freak.

His lauded one-man Broadway show Latin American History For Morons about the contributions of Latinos to U.S. history was nominated for the 2018 Tony Award for Best Play. That year, he received a Special Tony honoring his body of work and his commitment to telling diverse stories on Broadway.

Anya Taylor-Joy in Talks to Star in the Dark Comedy “The Menu”

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Anya Taylor-Joy is perusing the menu…

Following her award-winning role on Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, the 25-year-old Argentine-British actress is in talks to star in Searchlight’s dark comedy The Menu.

Taylor-Joy would star opposite Ralph Fiennes. Mark Mylod, who has played a major part in the success of HBO’s Succession, will direct.

The film is a darkly comedic psychological thriller set in the world of eccentric culinary culture, centering on a young couple who visit an exclusive restaurant on a remote island where an acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish tasting menu. Taylor-Joy will play one half of the couple. Fiennes is playing the chef.

Will Tracy and Seth Reiss penned the script.

After her breakout role in Robert Eggers’ The Witch, Taylor-Joy has been rising through the ranks and was handpicked to star in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller Split and its sequel Glass.

She became one of the big winners of 2021 when her Netflix limited series Queen’s Gambit, about a chess prodigy in the 1960s, became one of the streamers biggest hits of 2020. She was also recently seen in the Focus Features film Emma.

She has a busy 2021 ahead of her with starring roles in the Viking drama The Northman, the untitled David O. Russell film and Edgar Wright’s Last Night In Soho. She was also tapped to star in the Mad Max spinoff Furiosa in the title role.

Eva Longoria to Direct & Executive Produce HBO Max’s “The Gordita Chronicles” Pilot

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria has lined up her next directorial project…

The 45-year-old Mexican American actress/producer will direct and executive produce The Gordita Chronicles pilot at HBO Max.

The single-camera family comedy hails from Josh Berman’s Osprey Productions, Zoe Saldana’s Cinestar Pictures, and Sony Pictures Television, where Berman’s Osprey Prods is under a deal.

Written by Claudia Forestier, The Gordita Chronicles centers on a willful, chubby, 12-year-old Dominican who struggles to fit into hedonistic 1980s Miami as her family pursues the American Dream.

Brigitte Munoz Liebowitz serves as executive producer and showrunner. Longoria executive produces via her UnbeliEVAble Entertainment. Zoe Saldana, Mariel Saldana and Cisely Saldana executive produce for Cinestar Pictures.

Sony Pictures Television is the studio.

Longoria will be making her film directorial debut with Searchlight’s Flamin’ Hot, an inspiring biopic about the janitor turned executive who created the flaming hot Cheetos snack. She’ll also direct the workplace comedy 24/7 and star alongside Kerry Washington for Universal and direct the action comedy Spa Day for Sony.

The former Desperate Housewives star made her television directing debut on Devious Maids in 2014. Her television producing/directing credits also include ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Versus, and episodes of Black-ish, The Mick and Telenovela.

Longoria made her pilot directing debut with the CW’s Glorious.

Issa López to Write & Direct the Film Adaptation of the Short Story “Lost Souls”

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Issa Lópezis a lost soul…

The 48-year-old Mexican writer and director is set to write the script and direct an adaptation of the Matthew Baker short story Lost Souls, which Searchlight and Noah Hawley optioned last year.

The film is set in a world in which some babies are born without souls. A young expectant mother is sent to an unusual wellness center in the desert, with the hopes that it will improve her chances of delivering a healthy baby.

It’s one of several short stories written by Baker that turned into big movie deals. Hawley and his 26 Keysis turning Baker’s short story Why Visit Americainto an FXpilot Baker is writing and Hawley is executive producing. Hawley is producing two others based on Baker stories.

López won Best Director in the Horror Category at Fantastic Fest 2017 for her film Tigers Are Not Afraid, which was released by AMC Shudder.

She’s currently in development on a supernatural folklore film that Guillermo Del Torowill produce for Searchlight.

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