“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Starring Isaac, Breaks Box Office Records

The Force has proven to be strong for Oscar Isaac

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, starring the 36-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor as Resistance fighter Poe Dameron, broke every major opening record at the box office.

Oscar Isaac in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The film, which introduced Isaac, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega as new heroes in a galaxy far, far away, tallied $238 million for the weekend, according to studio estimates. It destroys the record of $208.8 million set in June by Jurassic World.

“We’re in territory that we’ve never seen in December,” says Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “The enormity of this record-breaking weekend cannot be overstated. This is a true watershed event.

Even more impressive: The Force Awakens annihilated the opening-day and all-time Friday records with $120.5 million, helped by a monster $57 million in Thursday night previews. It breaks the $91.1 million mark set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 in 2011, and the new Star Wars is the first movie to surpass $100 million in a single day.

It also set a new high for highest theater average with $57,500 in 4,134 theaters, and posted an extra $279 million internationally (except for China, where it will open in January) for a $517 million global debut.

The blockbuster was buoyed by universal raves: Critics heaped praise — a 95% “fresh” rating on RottenTomatoes.com — and audiences gave it an A at CinemaScore. Add to that acclaim Disney’s “pitch-perfect” marketing, word of mouth through social media, great casting and repeat viewings, and everything came together for an “unprecedented” opening, Dergarabedian says. “If any of those had not been firing properly, you would not be seeing these numbers. The brand can get you really far, but the movie itself had to deliver.

Final figures are expected Monday.

Isaac Covers Bill Murray’s Star Wars Theme Parody from Saturday Night Live

It appears the force has awakened Oscar Isaac

The 36-year-old Guatemalan and Cuban American actor, currently starring as Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, recently covered Bill Murray’s Star Wars theme parody from the iconic Saturday Night Live lounge singer sketch.

 Oscar Isaac

Isaac, who earned a Golden Globe nod for his role in the comedy-drama Inside Llewyn Davis, is a talented musician. The Juilliard School graduate starred in the film10 Years, in which he played a musician. He performed his own song “Never Had” in the film.

Currently covering January’s GQ, Isaac discussed his widely varied roles over the years and even combined a few of their influences in the awesome guitar solo.

Disney XD Renews Prinze Jr.’s Lucasfilm-Produced Animated Series “Star Wars Rebels”

Freddie Prinze Jr. is releasing a Rebels yell…

Disney XD has renewed Star Wars Rebels, which features the 39-year-old part-Puerto Rican actor as part of the voice cast, for Season 3, with production already underway and a plan to air new episodes of the Lucasfilm-produced animated series in 2016.

Freddie Prinze Jr.

The series, which follows a ragtag group of heroes that dare to strike back against Imperial forces, is an original tale based on the Star Wars films that in its first two seasons has incorporated classic characters from the movies while introducing new heroes and villains.

Coincidentally, the rebooted feature film franchise Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters December 18.

The renewal news was announced this morning on Star Wars mothership StarWars.com.

“We’re very proud of our incredibly creative Rebels team,” Lucasfilm SVP Development Kiri Hart said in the announcement. “The show continues to tell fun, heartfelt, exciting new Star Wars stories week after week, and it’s beloved by fans of all ages. Season 3 will see our rebel heroes face new obstacles and find new allies in their fight against the Empire.”

Star Wars Rebels ranks as Disney XD’s No. 2 series in total viewers (1.3 million), kids 6-11, boys 6-11 and boys 2-11, and is the channel’s No. 1 program in adults 18-49 and men 18-49.

Star Wars Rebels is created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Simon Kinberg and Carrie Beck.

The Season 2 voice cast includes Prinze Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, Taylor Gray, Ashley Eckstein, Dee Bradley Baker, David Oyelowo and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Miranda Contributes Cantina Music for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

The Force has awakened Lin-Manuel Miranda

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican actor, composer and writer, currently earning raves on Broadway for his latest award-winning musical, Hamilton, has partnered with Star Wars’ latest direct J.J. Abrams to make some music.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Theater and sci-fi geeks alike freaked when Abrams let the news slip on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (Nov. 30), revealing that Miranda will be lending his talents to new cantina music for Episode VII, aka Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

“I go to see [Hamilton] with our son and at intermission, Lin-Manuel Miranda comes up to me and says, ‘Hey if you need music for the [Star Wars] Cantina, I’ll write it,” recalls Abrams. He notes that composer John Williams, who helmed the original cantina scene in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, declined to tackle the task this go-round.

Miranda, who’s Hamilton is currently dominating Broadway — and the Billboard charts — with its R&B, pop and rap-influenced take on the story of Alexander Hamilton, described the process via Twitter.

“We did. Worked on it between 6pm & 7:30 on 2 show days for the past 2 months. JJ is the best. Can’t wait to see,” tweeted the In The Heights creator to his followers.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters in three weeks (opening December18).

Miranda is responsible for Disney’s upcoming animated film Moana. His other composing credits include The Electric Company and Sesame Street.

Pentatonix Performs Star Wars-Themed Medley at the American Music Awards

May the force and Princess Leia be with Kirstie Maldonado…

The 23-year-old half-Mexican, part Spanish-American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members performed a special Star Wars-themed medley at this year’s American Music Awards, complete with a surprise appearance by Han Solo himself.

Pentatonix

The a cappella pop group was accompanied by a 65-piece symphony orchestra to sing portions of John Williams‘ epic Star Wars score, which will be ringing in fans’ ears again soon when the franchise’s newest installment, The Force Awakens, comes out in theaters next month.

After AMAs host Jennifer Lopez introduced a new clip from the film, Harrison Ford appeared onstage to remind the audience, many of whom might not know John Williams by name, of his many other famous scores they would certainly recognize, such as from Jaws, E.T. and Indiana Jones.

He then let Pentatonix take it from there, with Maldonado even wearing Princess Leia-esque buns in her hair.

The group’s beatboxer Kevin Olusola recently talked to Rolling Stone about his own Star Wars obsession, saying, “When we’re on tour, I’m planning on re-watching each movie before we go onstage; then I’ll be ready to go for when the newest one comes out next month.”

Pentatonix previously dazzled audiences at this year’s Country Music Awards with their performance of the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira.”

Lovato to Perform with Alanis Morissette at the American Music Awards

Demi Lovato is ready for jagged little performance…

The 23-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress will perform with Alanis Morissette at the American Music Awards on Sunday.

Demi Lovato

The collaboration was announced by Twitter Music, showing off the platform’s new emojis with a comic image for Morissette that shows up with the hashtag #AlanisAMAs.

There’s still no word on what Lovato and Morissette, who earned five Grammy awards for her album Jagged Little Pill, will perform during the awards show.

They join a long list of previously announced performers that includes host and performer, Jennifer Lopez, as well as sets from Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, 5 Seconds of Summer, The Weeknd and a Star Wars performance from Pentatonix with a full symphony orchestra.

Luna Launches Branded Entertainment Studio, Gloria

It’s all guts and Gloria for Diego Luna

The 35-year-old Mexican actor/director/producer and his business partners Pablo Cruz and Eric Bonniot have officially launched the branded entertainment studio, Gloria.

Diego Luna 

Luna and Cruz, along with Gael Garcia Bernal, are also co-founders of the Mexican production and distribution company Canana.

Based in Los Angeles and Mexico City, Gloria is working on projects in both English- and Spanish-speaking markets.

“The Latino community is hugely influential and we want to work with brands to tell stories that are relevant and real,” said Luna, who was recently cast in Star Wars: Rogue One.

Gloria’s upcoming projects include a feature-length branded documentary and it is currently in production on a six-part web series for Mexico’s largest department store chain.

Among the talent working with Gloria are Gravity co-writer Jonas Cuaron and Alonso Ruizpalacios, the award-winning director of Gueros.

As for Luna, has had a busy year so far. Along with being cast in Star Wars: Rogue One, he directed the Danny GloverMaya Rudolph road movie Mr. Pig.

Luna to Star in the “Star Wars” Standalone Film “Rogue One”

May the force be with Diego Luna

Lucasfilm has announced the cast members and crew who will make up Star Wars’ standalone Rogue One, including the 35-year-old Mexican actor/director/producer, accompanied by the film’s first cast photo.

Diego Luna

Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film focuses on resistance fighters who unite to steal plans to Death Star.

Along with Luna, who last starred in Elysium, cast members include Felicity Jones, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk and Riz Ahmed.

Star Wars Rogue One

Rogue One takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope and will be a departure from the saga films but have elements that are familiar to the Star Wars universe,” producer Kathleen Kennedy said in a release. “It goes into new territory, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining that essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know.”

Rogue One is slated for a December 16, 2016 release.

Moreno Among the Recipients of This Year’s Kennedy Center Honors

Rita Moreno continues to rack up the honors…

The 83-year-old Puerto Rican actress, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s SAG Awards, has been announced as one of recipients of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors.

Rita Moreno

Each year, the Kennedy Center recognizes a select group for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts with the primary criterion in the selection process being excellence. Honorees are chosen by the center’s board of trustees.

Moreno, a Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner, will be honored along side Star Wars patriarch George Lucas, actress Cicely Tyson, songwriter Carole King, conductor Seiji Ozawa and the Eagles.

Moreno, who recently guest-starred on the CW’s Jane the Virgin, has previously received the Library of Congress Living Legends Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a National Medal of Arts and the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event, a fundraiser for the Washington, D.C. arts center, will take place on December 6. CBS will broadcast the star-studded event on December 29.

Luna to Star in Next “Star Wars” Feature, “Star Wars: Rogue One”

May the force be with Diego Luna

The 35-year-old Mexican actor, director and producer has landed a co-starring role in the next installment of the Star Wars feature series, Star Wars: Rogue One.

Diego Luna

The film, which will also star Felicity Jones and Ben Mendelsohn, will be released by Disney in December.

Luna, who directed and produced Cesar Chavez, also was part of the cast of Milk, Elysium, The Terminal and Y Tu Mama Tambien.

No word yet on the role Luna will portray in the film.