Harvey Guillén to Star In & Produce the Bromance Comedy “That Friend”

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Harvey Guillén has made a new friend…

The 34-year-old Mexican American actor will star in and produce That Friend, a bromance comedy about the dynamics of friendship and growing up.

The film marks the feature directorial debut of writer-directors Will Sterling and Alex Wall.

In the upcoming feature, Guillén portrays Paul, that one friend we all have whose invitation for “one drink” seems harmless but the next thing you know, you’re drunk on a Tuesday, swaying in your kitchen eating dry top ramen out of the bag and wishing you hadn’t just sent that text. Henry is just trying to have a romantic weekend in Palm Springs with his new girlfriend Penny until Paul crashes their trip. And when Paul’s pack of drug-laced cigarettes disappear into the hands of a stranger, the night really takes a turn.

Production for That Friend is slated to begin in December, with Ryan Tillotson and the L.A.-based Straw Hut Media producing alongside Guillén.

Guillén is best known for his acclaimed breakout role in FX’s modern-day vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows, which recently previewed its sixth and final season at San Diego Comic-Con. The final season is set to premiere on October 21.

In the show from Jemaine Clement, based and his and Taika Waititi’s 2014 New Zealand film of the same name, Guillén portrays Guillermo de la Cruz, the long-suffering familiar (or servant) of vampire Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), who by the fifth season, has fulfilled his wish of becoming a vampire in his own right.

Guillén has also appeared on series like Reacher, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and The Magicians, while lending his voice to high-profile animated projects across film and television, including Harley Quinn, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, The Garfield Movie and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

In film, the actor’s other credits include Blue Beetle, Strays, I’m Totally Fine, Werewolves Within, Truth or Dare and The Internship.

Up next, the actor will be seen in Mike Flanagan’s Stephen King adaptation The Life of Chuck, world premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, New Line’s sci-fi thriller Companion and more.

Madeleine Stowe to Star in “It” Prequel Series “Welcome to Derry”

Posted on April 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Madeleine Stowe is extending a welcome…

The 64-year-old half-Costa Rican actress will star in the Max Original series Welcome to Derry (working title).

The former Revenge star will appear opposite Stephen Rider, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs in the series, which is a prequel to New Line’s hit Stephen King film franchise, It.

Stowe will have a recurring guest role while Rider is a series regular. Their parts are being kept under wraps in the series which expands on King’s It universe, particularly that laid out in Andy Muschietti’s It movies. He’ll direct several episodes in the series including the first.

Stowe also joins previously announced cast members Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk and James Remar.

Stowe’s long-running career includes such movies as The Two Jakes, Stakeout, The Last of the Mohicans, 12 Monkeys, Blink, Unlawful Entry, The General’s Daughter and We Were Soliders.

For 89 episodes, she played the wicked Victoria Grayson on ABC’s hit TV series Revenge, and stars on the Netflix series Soundtrack.

Welcome to Derry is produced by HBO Max and Warner Bros. Television.

Jharrel Jerome to Star as Anthony Robles in “Unstoppable”

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jharrel Jerome is unstoppable…

The 25-year-old Afro-Dominican American actor, an Emmy winner and EP/star of the upcoming Prime Video series I’m a Virgo that just premiered at SXSW, has signed on to star in Unstoppable, the film starring Jennifer Lopez and directed by Billy Goldenberg.

The film follows the true story of Anthony Robles, a three-time All-American wrestler born with one leg who won a national championship at Arizona State.

Robles will reportedly be heavily involved in the project, which Amazon Studios is in talks to acquire.

The second big project from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity and Amazon is coming together rather quickly before the April 5 opening of their first movie, Air, which is getting a theatrical release and debuted at SXSW on Saturday. Artists Equity is co-founded by RedBird Capital.

Robles was born without a right leg. At the age of 14, he tried wrestling for the first time, at a mere 90 pounds. His first year he went 5-8, but remained determined that he could be a champion in the sport one day. Robles is also an inspirational speaker.

In 2019 he broke the Guinness world record for most pull-ups in a minute with 62 reps.

Jerome won an Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series for the Ava DuVernay Netflix series When They See Us. His other credits include the film Concrete Cowboy and the Stephen King series Mr. Mercedes. He’ll soon be seen co-starring in HBO Max’s Steven Soderbergh series Full Circle.

Jerome is an EP on the Boots Riley Amazon series I’m a Virgo. The darkly comedic, fantastical coming-of-age joyride center son Cootie (Jerome), a 13-foot-tall young Black man in Oakland, CA. Having grown up hidden away, passing time on a diet of comic books and TV shows, he escapes to experience the beauty and contradictions of the real world. He forms friendships, finds love, navigates awkward situations, and encounters his idol, a real-life superhero named The Hero, played by Walton Goggins. I’m A Virgo is a mythical odyssey that questions the purpose of the mythical odyssey.

Pablo Larraín to Direct Angelina Jolie in Biopic About Opera Legend Maria Callas

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Pablo Larraín has lined up his next biopic…

The 46-year-old Chilean filmmaker will direct Maria, a biopic about the life of American-born Greek soprano Maria Callas as his next feature, and he’s locked in Academy Award-winner Angelina Jolie in the starring role.

Based on true accounts, the film will tell the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the world’s greatest opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris.

The film was written by Oscar-nominee Steven Knight, who wrote Larraín’s Princess Diana biopic Spencer. The filmmaker’s brother and creative partner Juan de Dios Larraín will produce for Fabula Pictures, alongside Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle Company, and Jonas Dornbach for Komlizen Film.

“Having the chance to combine my two most deep and personal passions, cinema and opera, has been a long-awaited dream,” said Larraín. “To do this with Angelina, a supremely brave and curious artist, is a fascinating opportunity. A true gift.”

“I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria’s life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge,” added Jolie. “Pablo Larraín is a director I have long admired. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria’s story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream.”

Larraín is best known for features including Spencer, starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, and Jackie, which had Natalie Portman portraying Jackie Kennedy.

He also directed and executive produced the Apple series Liseys’ Story, based on the Stephen King novel. Other notable directorial credits include Ema, Neruda, The Club and No.

Issa López Developing Fourth Installment of HBO’s “True Detective” Series with Barry Jenkins

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Issa López is holding True to her at…

The Mexican producer, writer and film director is joining forces with Barry Jenkins to develop a fourth iteration of HBO’s True Detective.

The WarnerMedia-owned cable network is developing True Detective: Night Country (working title), a new take on the crime drama.

The series, created and written by Nic Pizzolatto, ran for three seasons between 2014 and 2019.

López will write, executive-produce and direct the pilot with Jenkins executive-producing via his collective Pastel alongside Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak.

Anonymous Content, which produced the first three installments will also executive produce with other True Detective EPs, so presumably Pizzolatto will be among those listed.

López is the writer and director of Mexican film Tigers Are Not Afraid (Vuelven), which won a slew of awards over the last few years and received praise from the likes of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Guillermo del Toro.

The latter is also working with Lopez on a haunted western about the werewolf mythology. She is also working with Noah Hawley on Searchlight’s The Book of Souls and with Blumhouse on Our Lady of Tears.

The third season of True Detective aired on HBO in 2019 and starred Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff, set in the Ozarks. It was the follow up to 2015’s Colin Farrell, Taylor Kitsch, Rachel McAdams and Vince Vaughn-fronted series and the first season, which starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

CBS All Access Releases Teaser Trailer for Henry Zaga’s New Stephen King Series “The Stand”

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Henry Zaga is taking a Stand…

CBS All Access has released the first trailer for its limited series The Stand, starring the 27-year-old Brazilian actor.

The series is the latest adaptation of a beloved Stephen King novel.

The star-studded television take on King’s 1978 book centers on the author’s apocalyptic vision for a world ruined by a super plague and caught in the middle of the fight between good and evil.

The 30-second teaser trailer offers a taste of the adaptation with Whoopi Goldberg as Abigail Freemantle, followed by flashes the characters’ haunting journey.

In addition to Goldberg and Zaga, who portrays Nick Andros, the series also stars James Marsen, Jovan Adepo, Amber Heard and Daniel Sunjata.

The Stand is written by Josh Boone and Ben Cavell. It’s produced by CBS Television Studios and will premiere on CBS All Access on December 17.

Zaga’s previous television credits include 13 Reasons Why, Trinkets, Teen Wolf, and Looking for Alaska.

Henry Zaga to Star in CBS All Access’ “The Stand” Series, Based on Stephen King’s Novel

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Henry Zaga is taking a stand…

The 26-year-old Brazilian actor is set to star in The Stand, an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel at CBS All Access.

Written by Josh Boone and Ben Cavell, The Stand is King’s apocalyptic vision of a world decimated by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil. The fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old other Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors. Their worst nightmares are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the Dark Man.

Zaga will star opposite James Marsden, Amber Heardand Odessa Youngin the limited event series from CBS Television Studios. The streaming service also announced that King will write the last chapter of the series, providing a new coda that won’t be found in the book.

Zaga will portray Nick Andros, a young deaf and mute man who finds himself in a position of authority when the unthinkable happens. He has a habit of risking his own well-being for the safety of others.

Marsden will portray Stu Redman, an ordinary working-class factory man in an extraordinary situation with a damaged quality to him that belies his exterior.

Heard will play Nadine Cross, a deeply conflicted woman who feels the consequences of her actions, but is still compelled by her allegiance to Randall Flagg, the Dark Man.

Young is Frannie Goldsmith, a pregnant young woman navigating a strange new world, who also has the foresight to recognize that there is evil lurking beyond the Dark Man.

The series will be produced by CBS Television Studios.

Zaga can be seen in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, which was just renewed for a fourth and final season, and the upcoming Trinkets as well as Looking for Alaska, which is currently in production. He will also be seen in Josh Boone’s X-Men: New Mutants.

Camila Mendes to Take On “Stephen King’s Carrie: The Musical” on the “Riverdale” Musical Episode

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a wicked time for Camila Mendes…

The CW’s Riverdale is taking on Broadway in season 2, with a musical episode set to air this spring, and the 23-year-old Brazilian American will tap into her dark side.

The episode — which will air on April 18 at 8:00 pm ET on The CW — focuses on Riverdale High’s production of Stephen King‘s Carrie: The Musical and will feature 11 songs.

The production is directed by Kevin Keller (Casey Cott) and will feature Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) in the lead role of telekinetically-inclined high school outcast Carrie White. Veronica Lodge (Mendes) is set to play mean-girl antagonist Chris, while Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa) and Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) play high school sweethearts Sue and Tommy.

The announcement was made via Instagram, displays a playfully drawn-on cast list.

While this isn’t the first time the Riverdale kids have sung on screen — Archie sang some original tracks in season 1, Mendes’ Veronica performed with Josie and the Pussycats, and Betty had her own seductive rendition of Tears for Fears‘ “Mad World” in the first half of season 2 – this will be the first time they tackle single Broadway music.

Tessa Ferrer Lands Starring Role on AT&T Audience Network’s Series “Mr. Mercedes”

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Tessa Ferrer is going into overdrive…

The 31-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress and former Grey’s Anatomy star will star as a series regular opposite Jack Huston in Season 2 of AT&T Audience Network’s breakout series Mr. Mercedes.

The second season will be based on King’s best-selling Bill Hodges Trilogy, which includes Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End of Watch.

Season 1 followed a demented killer Brady Hartsfield (Harry Treadaway) who taunts a retired police detective Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) with a series of lurid letters and emails, forcing the ex-cop to undertake a private, and potentially felonious, crusade to bring the killer to justice before he is able to strike again.

Ferrer will play Cora Babineau, wife of Dr. Felix Babineau (Huston) and head of marketing at a major pharmaceutical corporation, who’s even more ambitious than she is beautiful. If her husband has a genius for manipulating people from the inside out as he reaches into their brains and rewires them, Cora has a genius for influencing people from the outside in. Her beauty, brains and force of will, judiciously softened with poise and extreme charm, make her a formidable saleswoman, of whatever she’s peddling.

Ferrer is onscreen in Blumhouse’s Insidious 4: The Last Key. On television, she played the series regular role of Leah Murphy on Grey’s Anatomy and recurred on CBS’ Extant and FXX’s You’re the Worst.

Production begins next month in Charleston, SC, on the Sonar Entertainment-produced Stephen King adaptation.

Season 2 of Mr. Mercedes will air this summer on AT&T Audience Network.

Maximiliano Hernandez Cast In AT&T Audience Network’s Hit Series “Mr. Mercedes”

Posted on January 14, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Maximiliano Hernandez is ready to prosecute…

The 44-year-old Latino actor has joined the cast of AT&T Audience Network’s breakout series Mr. Mercedes.

Production begins next month in Charleston, South Carolina on the Sonar Entertainment-produced Stephen King adaptation for premiere this summer on DirecTV, AT&T U-verse and DirecTV Now.

The second season will be based on King’s best-selling Bill Hodges Trilogy, which includes, Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End of Watch.

Hernandez will portray Assistant DA Antonio Montez.

Hernandez joins returning cast members Jharrel Jerome as Jerome Robinson, Scott Lawrence as Detective Peter Dixon, Breeda Wool as Lou Linklatter, Justine Lupe as Holly Gibney and Holland Taylor as Ida Silver.

David E. Kelley and Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, The Drop, Live by Night) will be leading the season 2 writers room. Jack Bender will return to direct 8 of 10 episodes.

Hernandez is best known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and in the first season of The Americans.

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