FX Renews Harvey Guillén’s “What We Do In The Shadows” for a Third Season

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Harvey Guillén will be seeing his shadow(s) for longer…

FX has ordered a third season of What We Do In The Shadows, starringthe 30-year-old Latino actor, producer and writer.

The cable network ordered a third run of the show ahead of the June 10 finale of its second season. FX said that the second season, which is averaging 3.2M total viewers across linear and digital platforms, including FX on Hulu, through its first six episodes, was up 25% on season one.

In addition to Guillen, the mockumentary series, which is based on Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s 2014 feature film, stars Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou and Mark Proksch.

It follows the lives of four vampires who’ve “lived” together for hundreds of years in the New York borough of Staten Island.

This group includes Nandor The Relentless (Novak), a great warrior and conqueror from the Ottoman Empire, British vampire Laszlo (Berry), a bit of a rogue and a dandy and a fop and Nadja (Demetriou), his lover, a wise seductress. Then there’s Guillermo (Guillén), Nandor’s familiar, who wants nothing more than to be made a real vampire just like his master, Colin Robinson (Proksch), an energy vampire and day-walker of sorts – he feasts on humans, but not on their blood.

The second season also featured a guest spot from Star Wars’ Mark Hamill as a vampire searching for Laszlo, who owed him money.

“We’re incredibly happy that critics and audiences are all in on Shadows,”Nick Grad, President, Original Programming, FX Entertainment said. “Week in and week out, the producers, writers and our amazing cast continue to make one of the funniest and best comedy series on TV.”

Guillen previously appeared on television in Huge, Eye Candy, The Magicians and The Good Place.

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.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Makes Cameo Appearance in & Composes Song for “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Lin-Manuel Mirandais having an out of this world experience…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican actor, lyricist, singer, actor and playwright is officially part of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which was officially released on Friday.

Miranda makes a small cameo appearance as a Resistance fighter in the popular Lucasfilmfranchise, according to a still from Entertainment Weekly.

But that’s not all… The Tony Award-winning composer also composed a secret song in the film with producer J.J. Abrams.

“It’s got a nice beat & you can dance to it,” says Miranda of the track.

NOW IT CAN BE TOLD??@jjabrams & I wrote a lil music for a planet in #TheRiseOfSkywalker
It’s got a nice beat & you can dance to it.
Can’t wait to see it this weekend! pic.twitter.com/vKuoNtYgkw
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) December 17, 2019

Miranda previously composed “Jabba Flow” for Abrams’ last Star Wars installment, Episode VII – The Force Awakens from 2015.

Oscar Isaac to Star in the Revenge Thriller “The Card Counter”

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a new role in the Cards for Oscar Isaac.

The 40-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban actor will lead the cast of Paul Schrader’s revenge thriller The Card Counter.

Based on an original screenplay by Schrader, the film sees Isaac star as William Tell, a gambler and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past.

Braxton Pope, who previously worked with Schrader on The Canyons, is producing the film with Lauren Mann. William Olsson and David Wulf will executive produce.

Shooting is set for early 2020.

Isaac’s previous credits include appearances as X-wing pilot Poe Dameronin the Star Wars sequel trilogy, X-Men: Apocalypse, Ex Machina and A Most Violent Year.

Morena Baccarin to Star in the Nourish Thriller “Tropico”

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Morena Baccarin is hittin’ the tropics…

The 40-year-old Brazilian actress is set to star in director Giada Colagrande’s Tropico, a noirish thriller set in Brazil.

Baccarin will star opposite Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoein the film, from a screenplay by Barry Gifford.

In Tropico, Dafoe plays Raymond Sanz, a veteran operative hired to spy on Mark, an American businessman (Pascal) in a steamy costal town in Northern Brazil. However, things get more complicated when Sanz falls simultaneously for Mark’s wife, the mysterious and beautiful Lucia (Baccarin), and her equally beautiful identical twin sister, Olivia (Baccarin).

“Barry’s atmospheric screenplay is an exotic thriller in the best traditions of the noir genre,” said Colagrande, “and I also couldn’t be more excited to work with such an accomplished group of actors.”

Eclipse Pictureshas acquired the worldwide sales rights to Tropico.

Colagrande previously directed Padre and her debut film Open My Heart played at Venice Film Festivalin 2002.

Production on the film is due to start in the first quarter of 2020 in São Luis Do Maranhão, Northern Brazil.

In addition to her regular roles on the iconic series Homeland and Gotham, Baccarin has two Deadpool blockbusters under her belt and next stars opposite Gerard Butlerin Greenland forSTX Filmsand opposite Charlie Hunnam and Mel Gibsonin Waldo.

Pascal, who starred on television in Game of Thrones and Narcos and appeared in the Equalizer 2 film, will next be seen in the Robert Rodriguez-directed We Can Be Heroes, and opposite Gal Gadotin the sequel Wonder Woman 1984. He also stars in the title role of Jon Favreau’s upcoming Star Wars spinoff, The Mandalorian.

Disney Channel Releases Trailer for Second & Final Season of Myrna Velasco’s “Star Wars Resistance”

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Myrna Velasco is headed back to space…

The Disney Channel has released the trailer for the second and final season of its Emmy-nominated animated series Star Wars Resistance, featuring the Mexican American actress as part of the voice cast.

A suspicious Hutt, ruthless bounty hunters, and Supreme Leader Kylo Ren himself are among the Jedi universe threats that await the intrepid heroes of Star Wars Resistance this season.

Star Wars Resistance returns on October 6 on the Disney Channel and via DisneyNow with an interstellar adventure that bridges between the events depicted in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the action in the upcoming feature film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (December 20).

From the official synopsis: “Kaz and the team continue to fight against the threat of the First Order, culminating in an epic series finale. The story picks up after a harrowing escape from the First Order, as the Colossus and all its residents find themselves lost in space, pursued by Agent Tierny and Commander Pyre…meanwhile, Tam grapples with her future and where her true allegiance lies, with her friends or the First Order. The thrilling final season will showcase how the unlikeliest of heroes can help spark hope across the galaxy.

Joining the voice cast in guest-starring roles for Season Two: Joe Manganiello as Ax Tagrin, Daveed Diggs as Norath Kev, and Lucy Lawless as the Aeosian Queen.

Star Wars Resistance stars Christopher Sean as Kazuda Xiono, Suzie McGrath as Tam Ryvora, Scott Lawrence as Jarek Yeager, Velasco as Torra Doza, Josh Brener as Neeku Vozo, Donald Faison as Hype Fazon, Elijah Wood as Rucklin, Liam McIntyre as Commander Pyre, Jason Hightower as Captain Doza, Sumalee Montano as Agent Tierny, and Jim Rash and Bobby Moynihan as Flix and Orka, respectively.

Velasco’s other voice credits include Elena of Avalor, DC Super Hero Girlsand Descendants: Wicked World.

Oscar Isaac in Talks to Star in Denis Villeneuve’s Adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Sci-Fi Epic “Dune”

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

It could soon be a Dune dealfor Oscar Isaac…

The 39-year-old Guatemalan-Cubanis in talks to join the cast of Dune, Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic.

Isaac would play the father of Timothée Chalamet, who will star as Paul Atreides.

Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgårdand Charlotte Ramplingare also aboard.

Villeneuve, Eric Rothand Jon Spaihtspenned the script.

Legendary acquired film and television rights to the Herbert novels in 2016, with the intention of making multiple films.

Villeneuve chose that film over numerous offers as his follow-up to Blade Runner 2049.

Isaac has appeared in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as X-wing pilot Poe Dameron, and in X-Men: Apocalypse as the titular mutantsupervillain Apocalypse.

Lionsgate & MRC to Release Ana de Armas’ Murder Mystery “Knives Out” in November 2019

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Ana de Armas has her knives out…

Lionsgate will partner with MRC to distribute worldwide Knives Out, the contemporary murder mystery starring the 30-year-old Cuban actress.

Looper and Star Wars: The Last Jedi helmer Rian Johnson wrote and is directing the film, which stars Daniel Craig as a detective trying to solve a murder.

In addition to de Armas and Craig, the killer ensemble cast includes Chris Evans, Michael Shannon, Lakeith Stanfield, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, Katherine Langford and Don Johnson.

Lionsgate has scheduled the film for nationwide release on November 27, 2019 for the Thanksgiving holiday corridor.

The film became possible when director Danny Boyleexited James Bond 25. While that film regrouped — Cary Fukunagais directing it — Craig suddenly had an open slot, and Johnson and his producing partner Ram Bergman took full advantage with an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery that Johnson wrote and was able to squeeze in before he and Bergman drill down on a new trilogy in the Star Wars universe.

de Armas previous film credits include Blade Runner 2049, War Dogs and Hands of Stone.

Pedro Pascal to Star in Disney+’s Live-Action Star Wars Series “The Mandalorian”

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

May the Force be with Pedro Pascal…

The 43-year-old Chilean actor is joining the Jedi universe, portraying the title character in The Mandalorian, the live-action Star Wars series that will be a flagship program for Disney+, the ambitious streaming service launching in 2019.

Pascal is in final negotiations to star in the series, which chronicles the lone-wolf odyssey of a character who hails from the planet Mandalore, which Star Wars fans know as the homeworld of the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett and Jango Fett.

Pascal memorably portrayed the passionate warrior Oberyn Martell, aka the Red Viper, on the fourth season of the HBO series Game of Thrones. He also played DEA agent Javier Peña on three seasons of Narcos, when the Netflix series centered on the cocaine cartels of Colombia. Pascal also played Agent Whiskey in the Foxfeature film Kingsmen: The Golden Circle in 2017.

The Mandalorian is written and executive produced by Jon Favreau, the director of Jungle Book, Iron Man as well as the upcoming reinterpretation of The Lion King. Favreau’s official description of the show: “After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.”

The events depicted in the series are set after the events of Return of the Jedi, which concluded with the fiery funeral of Darth Vader on the forest moon of Endor.

The first episode of the series will be directed by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars). Also on board to direct early episodes are Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones) and actress Bryce Dallas Howard, whose previous directorial work has been limited to short films.

Oscar Isaac Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar Isaac has new representation…

The 39-year-old Cuban and Guatemalan actor, who most recently starred in and produced Chris Weitz’s MGM film Operation Finale and will reprise his role as Poe Dameron in Star Wars: Episode IX, has signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) for representation in all areas.

Isaac, who won a Golden Globe in 2016 for HBO’s Show Me a Hero, has several film projects in the works including starring in JC Chandor’s ensemble Triple Frontier, the long-gestating dramatic thriller set up at Netflix.

He also voices Gomez Addams in MGM’s upcoming animated The Addams Family movie.

Additionally, Isaac plays Paul Gauguinopposite Willem Dafoe’sVincent van Goghin At Eternity’s Gate, the biopic directed by Julian Schnabelthat CBS Filmswill release on November 16.

His credits include Alex Garland’s Ex Machina in 2014, the same year he starred in Chandor’s A Most Violent Year; both films were in that season’s awards mix. He also starred in Garland’s follow-up Annihilation, which bowed this year. He nabbed his first Golden Globe nomination for the Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis in 2013.

Star Wars: Episode IX, which returns JJ Abrams to direct in the finale of the Skywalker saga franchise, has a December 20, 2019 release date.

Isaac had been at UTA for almost a decade with that agency sealing the deals that helped him grow into an A-list name, breaking out in Nic Refn’s Drive opposite Ryan Gosling.

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