Robert Rodriguez Directing Season Two of Disney+’s “The Mandalorian”

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Rodriguezis heading to a galaxy far, far away…

The 51-year-old Mexican American director/producer will serve as the director for Season 2 of Disney+’s The Mandalorian.

The Sin City and Spy Kidsfilmmaker tweeted a photo of himself with “the biggest star in the universe,” aka Baby Yoda.

“I am truly humbled to say I now have had the very rare privilege of directing the biggest star in the universe,” Rodriguez tweeted.

Production on the sophomore season of the Star Warsspinoff series already has wrapped.

Among the new faces for Season 2 are Rosario Dawson, Michael Biehnand a recurring Bill Burr. They join returning stars including Pedro Pascalin the title role, Gina Carano, Giancarlo Esposito, Emily Swallow, Carl Weathers, Omid Abtahi, Werner Herzog,Nick Nolte, Julia Jonesand Ming-Na Wen.

The live-action interstellar bounty hunter series premiered on November 12 on Disney+, the day the streaming service launched. Insiders have hinted that several established characters from the Skywalker saga’s feature films mythology will make appearances during the show’s sophomore season.

Season 2 of The Mandalorianwill premiere in the fall, but work already has begunon Season 3.

Robert Rodriguez to Direct Ben Affleck in the Action Thriller “Hypnotic”

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Rodriguez is ready to thrill…

The 51-year-old Mexican American filmmaker is set to direct Ben Affleck in the action thriller Hypnotic.

The film centers on a detective who, while investigating a string of impossible high-end heists, becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program.

The big budget film, which is reportedly set at $60m-$80m, comes from Studio 8 and Solstice Studios. And it’s the first project greenlit under a partnership between the two companies.

Production is slated for April.

Rodriguez, Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinovand his colleagues Guy Danellaand John Grahamwill produce the film with Solstice, which will handle US distribution and launch international sales beginning at American Film Market.

“Working with Ben on his award-winning projects, including Argoand The Town, I have seen how his versatility and creativity has made him one of the most talented filmmakers both in front of and behind the camera,” said Robinov. “It’s very meaningful to be collaborating with Ben again on this uniquely riveting suspense thriller, and I know he and Robert will make a terrific film together.”

Rodriguez’s previous credits include El Mariachi, Machete, theSpy Kidsfranchise, Sin Cityand Sin City: A Dame to Kill Forand Alita: Battle Angel.

Danny Trejo to Star in the “Meet the Blacks” Sequel, “The House Next Door”

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Danny Trejo is moving in next door…

The 73-year-old Mexican American actor and Machete star has joined the cast of the comedy film The House Next Door, the sequel to Meet The Blacks, which has Mike Epps reprising his starring role. Deon Taylor is returning to direct.

Rick Ross and Katt Williams also star in the film along with returnees Bresha Webb, Zulay Henao, social media star Andrew Bachelor (a.k.a King Batch), and comedians Lil Duval, Michael Blackson and Tyrin Turner.

The project is currently shooting in Atlanta, Georgia.

It centers on overstressed Carl Black (Epps) who, after surviving a night of terror and becoming a best-selling author, moves his family back to his childhood home where he hopes to work on a new book. But when his quirky neighborhood becomes host to a mysteriously extravagant pimp (Williams), Carl’s work is interrupted as his cousin becomes convinced the new neighbor is a vampire and is trying to steal Carl’s entire family away.

Meet The Blacks bowed in theaters in 2016 via Freestyle Releasing and grossed $9 million at the box office.

Trejo, who was recently seen on CW’s The Flash, is known for his collaborations with director Robert Rodriguez in films like From Dusk Till Dawn and Spy Kids.

Rodriguez to Direct STX Entertainment’s Animated Film “Ugly Dolls”

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Things are about to get a little Ugly for Robert Rodriguez…

The 48-year-old Mexican American filmmaker will direct STX Entertainment’s animated Ugly Dolls, based on the children’s toys, which the company has long planned as the film to launch its family and animation division.

The movie will be released on May 10, 2019.

The dolls were created by David Horvath via his company Pretty Ugly LLC and have taken off in popularity in Asia.

Rodriguez, now better known for darker films like Sin City, El Mariachi, Desperado, Machete and From Dusk Till Dawn, was the creative force behind the big-screen family-friendly Spy Kids franchise.

He’s known for pushing the envelope and trying new techniques whether its the graphic novel-like animation/live-action of Sin City or the digital eye candy of Spy Kids. He also did The Adventures of Sharkboy & Lavagirl in 3D back in 2005.

Rodriguez actually started out as a cartoonist and had a comic strip called Los Hooligans for his high school newspaper, the Daily Texan at St. Anthony’s in Austin. He also drew political cartoons and then started making short films.

Rodriguez, as previously reported, will direct 20th Century Fox’s Escape From New York, the remake of John Carpenter’s 1981 film.

Trejo to Host El Rey Network’s Original Unscripted Series “Man at Arms”

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Danny Trejo is armed and ready for a new project…

The 72-year-old Mexican American actor will host El Rey Network’s upcoming original unscripted series Man at Arms.

Robert Rodriguez’s network is bringing the digital series to television in a co-production deal with Man at Arms’ creator DEFY Media.

In each episode, a team of expert craftsmen skillfully reproduce famed weapons and armor from scratch, using both the technology that would have been available at the time such weapons and armor were originally created, as well as state-of-the-art technologies.

Trejo, who starred in both From Dusk Till Dawn the film and El Rey’s series, will introduce each episode, preside over the expert roundtable of builders, historians and martial artists, and participate in the weapons testing phase to see how much destruction they can cause. The eight-part series is slated to premiere on the network in early June.

Trejo is most recognized as the character Machete, originally developed by Rodriguez for the Spy Kids series of movies that was later expanded into his own series of films.

Trejo’s other television work includes recurring roles on Sons of Anarchy and King of the Hill. He recently finished shooting Dead Again in Tombstone, the sequel to Dead in Tombstone, for Universal Pictures.

Rodriguez to Direct Warner Bros. Live Action Adaptation of Hanna-Barbera’s “Jonny Quest”

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Rodriguez has a new quest…

The 46-year-old Mexican American filmmaker is set to direct Warner Bros. Jonny Quest, film adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera boy hero.

The studio is hoping to create a live-action family adventure franchise.

Rodriguez and Terry Rossio are rewriting a Dan Mazeau draft that made the Black List.

Jonny is the kid who accompanied his scientist father, their bodyguard Race Bannon and Jonny’s pal Hadji on a series of global adventures that always involved some evil conspiracy that forced Jonny to work his way out of danger. Created and designed by Doug Wildey, Jonny Quest was wildly popular when first introduced. The series ran for a season on ABC primetime in 1964 and lives forever in reruns, an updated animated series, and in comic book and merchandising incarnations.

Warner Bros, which got the Hanna-Barbera catalog in the Turner acquisition, has tried numerous times to get this right. Richard Donner took a shot at it; Peter Segal did too. A version had Zac Efron poised to play the title character and Dwayne Johnson to play Bannon.

Rodriguez previous has success with the kid empowerment theme with his own popular Spy Kids films.

Rodriguez to Be Feted by Non-Profit Educational Organization L.A.’s Promise

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Rodriguez has promise…

L.A.’s Promise will honor the 46-year-old Mexican American at its annual gala.

The nonprofit organization aims to improve public schooling in south Los Angeles, with a coverage area that includes two high schools (Manual Arts and West Adams Prep) and one middle school (John Muir). Its initiatives to increase the schools’ performance and involvement in the community are funded in part by the annual gala.

Rodriguez and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Jeff Shell will be feted at the event, which will be held on September 30 at Universal Studios Hollywood‘s Globe Theatre.

“Our 2014 honorees have a long history of advancing the educational opportunities for underserved communities like the students that L.A.’s Promise serves,” the organization’s president and CEO Veronica Melvin said in a statement. “Jeff and Robert have lent their names and their time to our initiatives in order to help lead the charge in preparing every child in our LA’s Promise Neighborhood to be college and career-ready, healthy and successful in life.”

Rodriguez launched his own cable network, the El Rey Network, in 2013. Its programming includes Matador and From Dusk Till Dawn, an adaptation of his Quentin Tarantino-scripted vampire film. Rodriguez’s film directorial credits include Sin City, Spy Kids and the Machete franchise.

Shell will be present at the event, but Rodriguez is unable to attend.

This year’s event chairs include Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, J.J. Abrams and NBCUniversal vice chairman Ron Meyer; previous honorees include Ryan Seacrest, Tom Cruise and Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos.

In conjunction with the gala, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park will be opened for 1,200 L.A.’s Promise students for the evening. The gala attendees will have the opportunity to join them after a cocktail reception and awards ceremony.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate students’ success than to reward them with a night of fun and adventure through the theme park,” L.A.’s Promise board co-chair Frank Marshall said in the statement.

Vega to Appear in Recurring Role on ABC’s “Nashville”

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Alexa Vega has gone country…

The 25-year-old half-Colombian American actress, who married Big Time Rush’s Carlos Pena, Jr. in January, has landed a recurring role on the upcoming third season of ABC‘s country music drama Nashville.

Vega, best known for starring in the Spy Kids franchise films, has been cast for a three-episode arc as Kiley, Gunnar’s (portrayed by Sam Palladio) first love and high school sweetheart.

Her character is now a single mother who’s recently arrived in Nashville with the intention of providing some stability the her 10-year-old son that she had at a very young age.

Vega’s previous television credits include roles on Tomorrow People, Ruby & The Rockits, Royal Pains, The Middle and Ghost Whisperer.

Rodriguez to Host Democratic National Committee Fundraiser with President Barack Obama

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Rodriguez is preparing for a presidential experience…

The award-winning Mexican-American filmmaker will host President Barack Obama at his home in Austin, Texas, on July 17 to raise money for the Democratic National Committee‘s midterm election efforts, according to The Hollywood Reporter .

Rodriguez, whose cult classic El Mariachi was selected in 2011 for preservation in the National Film Registry, is the latest in a growing number of Hollywood Latinos throwing their money and influence behind the Democratic Party.

Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Demi Lovato and Danny Trejo are among those who’ve signed on to support the event. Tickets for the Austin fundraiser range from $5,000 to $32,400.

Obama and Rodriguez – the founder of the El Rey Network – first met in 2012, when the filmmaker traveled to Washington to speak with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute about the importance of diversifying the distribution networks.

While there, Obama invited Rodriguez to participate in a roundtable discussion about the importance of Hispanics in the U.S.

Since then, Rodriguez has emerged as a strong advocate of Latino issues in the country

Following his film debut with El Mariachi, Rodriguez has helped launch the film careers of several prominent Latino actors and actresses, including Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek andAlba. His insistence on casting a Latino family for the popular Spy Kids series built the first major theatrical family franchise featuring Latinos in heroic roles.

Vega to Guest Star on the CW’s “Tomorrow People”

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Alexa Vega is ready to show the world her powers…

The 25-year-old half-Colombian American actress, who recently tied the knot with Big Time Rush’s Carlos Pena, Jr., will be making her debut on the CW’s Tomorrow People next week.

Vega, best known for her role as Carmen Cortez in the Spy Kids film series, will portray Hillary Cole on the sci-fi show’s January 22 episode.

Vega’s character is described as a new recruit who goes head-to-head with Stephen (Robbie Amell) to see who will make it to the next stage of agent training. Unfortunately, the loser gets stripped of their powers, and Hillary will stop at nothing to win.

“She beats the crap out of me,” Amell tells TVGuide.com. “She messes Stephen up. She’s conniving. She’s doing anything she can for herself. She does not care about the people around her.”

Tomorrow People, which centers follows a group of young people who possess psionic powers as the result of human evolution, airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on the CW.

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