Adriyan Rae to Appear on Mara Brock Akil’s Netflix Series “Forever”

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Adriyan Rae has found her Forever home…

The part-Venezuelan actress has landed a recurring role on Netflix’s Forever.

Created by Mara Brock Akil, Forever is a reimagining of the 1975 novel by Judy Blume and follows the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s firsts in 2018 Los Angeles.

Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on the YA comedy Moesha.

Oscar winner Regina King will serve as executive producer and will direct the first episode.

Rae will portray Brittany, one of Keisha’s older cousins, and is described as a social climber who looks out for Keisha and her well-being like an older sister—even if she usually does it with a sarcastic sense of humor and blunt direct attitude. Brittany is a loyal support system for Keisha and her mom Shelly, and always brings a sense of fun to wherever she goes —including affectionately calling Keisha ‘Urkel’ due to her book smart nature.

Lovie Simone will star as Keisha Clarke and Michael Cooper Jr. will portray Justin Edwards. Karen Pittman, and Wood Harris round out the cast so far.

Within the television sphere, Rae currently stars as ‘Brittany Pitts’ in Paramount+’s reboot of The Game. Additionally, she recently led the cast of SYFY’s series Vagrant Queen, starred in NBC’s Chicago Fire and Hulu’s horror-thriller series Light As A Feather, and has guest starred on various shows including FX’s Atlanta, BET’s American Soul, and FOX’s musical drama Star, from the producers of Empire.

In film, she has had roles in Sony’s Superfly with Jennifer Morrison, Trevor Jackson and Michael Kenneth Williams, and Netflix’s Burning Sands alongside Alfre Woodard and Trevante Rhodes.

Kali Uchis to Perform at San Francisco’s Outside Lands Festival

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Kali Uchis is headed Outside (Lands)…

The 27-year-old Colombian American singer/songwriter will perform at this year’s Outside Lands.

The San Francisco-based festival will include headliners Post Malone, Green Day and SZA.

Produced by Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly and Starr Hill Presents, Outside Lands will return to Golden Gate Park from August 5 to 7.

In addition to Uchis, this year’s lineup will also include Phoebe Bridgers, Weezer, Jack Harlow, Illenium, Lil Uzi Vert, Kali Uchis, Disclosure and Mitski.

The stacked lineup includes Polo & Pan, Pusha T, Dominic Fike, “We are ecstatic to unveil this year’s lineup, which is one of the most dynamic and diverse we’ve ever had. We are ready to get back to Golden Gate Park with our original summer dates again,” said Allen Scott, co-founder and co-producer of Outside Lands and president of concerts and festivals at Another Planet Entertainment. “Last year’s festival was not only a cathartic experience, but a much-needed celebration for the Bay Area and beyond. We can’t wait to do it all again with our Outside Lands community this August.”

Returning this year after an incredibly successful debut in 2021 is the SOMA Tent. Inspired by underground clubs and late nights, SOMA Tent features over nine hours of performances each day and is the perfect place to dance the night (or day) away. This year headliners include San Francisco mainstay and Dirtybird Records founder Claude VonStroke, legendary German house and techno DJ and producer Dixon and Los Angeles producer TOKiMONSTA.

Also returning this year is Grass Lands, which was the first curated cannabis experience at a major American music festival when it premiered in 2018. According to organizers, Grass Lands has become a “much loved” part of the Outside Lands experience. Grass Lands showcases the latest and most innovative products from the growing cannabis industry and is a place where people can learn about and enjoy cannabis in all its forms.

Last year, the festival made its return after taking a year off due to COVID-19. The 2021 edition played out over Halloween weekend with sets from J Balvin and Tyler, the Creator.

Weekend passes go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT on the Outside Lands website, with three-day general admission starting at $399, and three-day VIP passes at $799.

Esai Morales to Star in DC’s “Titans” Series

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales has landed a Titan-ic role…

The 56-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast in the series Titans.

He’ll portray Deathstroke, the fan-favorite assassin and archenemy of Teen Titans leader Dick Grayson.

The Titans, the first original programming franchise for the DC Universe subscription steaming site, launched in September and finished its first season in December. The weekly show follows the superhero squad that’s led by Batman’s former sidekick, Robin, aka Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites), and includes the hot-tempered alien princess Starfire (Anna Diop), the mysterious empath Raven (Teagan Croft), and the green-skinned shape-shifter Beast Boy (Ryan Potter).

That Titans line-up of characters was introduced with much fanfare in the pages of DC Comicsback in 1980. The team, created by Marv Wolfmanand George Perez, didn’t have to wait long to find their signature antagonist: Deathstroke the Terminatorwas introduced in issue No. 2 of The New Teen Titans in December 1980.

The character bio from the show’s producers: “Slade Wilson is known for being DC’s deadliest assassin. While serving his country, Slade became an elite soldier before government testing enhanced his physiology to near superhuman levels, putting him on a path of darkness and revenge. To his family, Slade is a father and husband, but to the rest of the world, he is feared by many as the infamous Deathstroke; selling his services to the highest bidder as the ruthless assassin that never gives up and never misses.”

The character is well known to fans of the popular Teen Titans animated series from Cartoon Network as well as the show’s 2018 tie-in feature film Teen Titans Go! to the Movies. Deathstrokehas also been portrayed by Manu Bennett in 36 episodes of The CWseries Arrow while Joe Manganiello (True Blood) appeared as the assassin in the 2017 feature film Justice League but only with an uncredited cameo.

The DC Comics character represents an interesting footnote in Marvel Comicshistory. The character Deadpool, portrayed by Ryan Reynoldsin the popular R-rated Foxfilm franchise, was created by Fabian Niciezaand Rob Liefeldin 1990 as a thinly disguised version of the DC villain. Not only do the characters share similar costumes, Deadpool’s alias is Wade Wilson, which in fact rhymes with Slade Wilson.

Adding a bit more confusion, both Deadpool and Deathstroke have similar attributes to Deadshot, a DC Comics villain introduced in the 1970s and portrayed by Will Smithon the big screen in Suicide Squad in 2016.

Morales, rose to acclaim in his feature film breakthrough role as Bob Morales in Taylor Hackford’s La Bamba, the landmark 1985 biopic about Ritchie Valens.

Morales’ feature film credits include Bad Boys, Mi Familia, Fast Food Nation, The Line, The Disappearance of Garcia Lorcaand Gun Hill Road, a film he executive produced and starred in. Gun Hill Road was a grand Jury Nominee at the Sundance Film Festivalin 2011. Most recently he starred in Sony’s Superfly and the indie film The Wall of Mexico.

Morales’ recent television credits include Ozark (Netflix), Mozart In The Jungle (Amazon Prime), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), and Chicago PD (NBC). Morales also had notable credits over the years on shows such as NYPD Blue (ABC), Miami Vice (NBC), Fame (NBC) Law and Order: SVU (NBC), Caprica (Syfy), and Criminal Minds (CBS).

Rodrigo Santoro to Star in Netflix’s Still-Untitled Sci-Fi Thriller

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a thrilling time for Rodrigo Santoro…

The 43-year-old Brazilian actor has joined the supporting cast of Netflix’s yet-to-be-titled sci-fi thriller.

Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback are set as leads in the film, which will be directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.

Other supporting cast members include Allen Maldonado, Amy Landecker, Colson Baker, aka Machine Gun Kelly, Andrene Ward-Hammond and Kyanna Simpson.

Mattson Tomlin penned the screenplay. Filmmakers are staying mum on plot details.

Santoro, best known for his portrayal of Persian King Xerxes in the movie 300 and its sequel 300: Rise of an Empire, was most recently cast in theHulupilot Reprisal. His other credits include HBO’s Westworld.

Maldonado co-starred in the Sony film, Superfly and Netflix’s First Match.

Esai Morales Lands Recurring Role on CBS’ “NCIS: Los Angeles”

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales is getting deputized…

The 55-year-old Puerto Rican actor has landed a recurring role on the upcoming tenth season of CBS’NCIS: Los Angeles.

Morales will play Deputy Director Gaines. Smart, authoritative, polished and trustworthy, Gaines accompanies a special prosecutor from the Department of Defense who is investigating the NCIS office and its employees. He is there to protect his people and advise them on how to navigate the prosecutor’s interviews. The character will be introduced in a late October episode.

“Following the rescue mission in Mexico from last season’s finale and this season’s premiere, our NCIS: Los Angelesteam will face challenging repercussions but they will have a new ally in the Deputy Director,” said executive producer R. Scott Gemmill. “We are thrilled that the talented Esai Morales has signed on to this recurring role.”

Starring Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J, Linda Hunt, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa, Renée Felice Smith and Nia Long, NCIS: Los Angelesis produced by CBS Television Studios and executive produced by Gemmill, John P. Kousakis and Frank Military.

Morales, who rose to acclaim in the 1987 biopic La Bamba,was most recently seen in a major arc on Netflix’s Ozark and as a recurring on Nat Geo’s Mars. On the big screen, Morales’ credits include Sony Pictures’ Superfly.

Season 10 of NCIS: Los Angelespremieres Sunday, September 30 at 9 PM on CBS.

Esai Morales to Star in Sony Pictures’ “Superfly” Remake

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Esai Morales’ career is soaring to new heights…

The 55-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star in the Director X-helmed Superfly remake from Sony Pictures, which will debut in theaters June 15.

Morales will portray play Adalberto.

The Alex Tse-penned script is based on the 1972 original blaxploitation crime drama, which followed an African American cocaine dealer who tries to secure one more deal before getting out of the business.

Morales joins a cast that includes Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Lex Scott Davis, Andrea Londo, Jacob Ming-Trent, Omar Chapparo, and Allen Maldonado.

Joel Silver is producing the film with rap star Future, who is also putting together the film’s soundtrack.

Morales, who currently stars on ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder, rose to acclaim in the Richie Valens biopic La Bamba. He’s also appeared in PBS’ American Family, Showtime’s Resurrection Blvd., NYPD Blue and Caprica.

Allen Maldonado to Star in Sony’s “Superfly” Remake

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Allen Maldonado is flying high…

The 34-year-old part-Puerto Rican actor will star as Litty in Sony’s Superfly remake, which has Director X at the helm.

Alex Tse will pen the screenplay based on the original Gordon Parks Jr.-directed blaxploitation crime drama, which follows an African American cocaine dealer who tries to secure one more deal before getting out of the business.

Lex Scott Davis, Andrea Londo, Jacob Ming-Trent, and Omar Chapparo will co-star.

The film is slated to open in theaters on June 15.

Maldonado, who recurs on ABC’s Black-ish, co-stars opposite Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish on TBS’ Jordan Peele-created comedy series, The Last O.G, which premieres in April.

Armisen to Participate in Comedy Central & Superfly’s “Colossal Clusterfest”

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Fred Armisen is preparing for a colossal cluster…

The 50-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor/comedian will take part in Colossal Clusterfest, Comedy Central and Superfly’s comedy event.

It’s slated to run June 2-4 at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, culminating with a live Comedy Central special.

Colossal Clusterfest aims to do for the icons of Millennial comedy what Burning Man and Bonnaroo have done for music and other contemporary art happenings: Bring folks together for a paid communal experience featuring a wide range of programming, tons of food and ancillary experiences that will promote diversity and, not coincidentally, their brands.

In addition to Armisen, the inaugural lineup includes Sarah Silverman & Friends, Ice Cube, Hannibal Buress, Tig Notaro, Pete Davidson, Natasha Leggero, Tegan and Sara, Chromeo, Broad City’s Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, Bob Odenkirk, Vince Staples, Chris Hardwick, Reggie Watts, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Princess featuring Maya Rudolph, and Gretchen Lieberum. The full lineup is available at http://www.clusterfest.com.

“For a long time we’ve been really looking at the festival space,” Comedy Central president Kent Alterman said, discussing plans for the event at Superfly’s Midtown New York office. “It’s a great opportunity to connect directly with our fans and utilize the talent that is part of the fabric of what we do on a daily basis.

“We’ve had experience with comedy festivals in different regards – those festivals are always very fractured experiences that are all over town,” Alterman added. “Several years ago we got to know these guys at Superfly by going to Bonnaroo [and] Outside Lands, and those festivals are just complete holistic experiences that bring people together, where everything is happening in this almost communal atmosphere.”

The festival includes interactive attractions featuring three iconic comedy shows: Comedy Central’s South Park, FXX’s It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Seinfeld. It will also incorporate musical performances and collaborations between musicians and comedians across five indoor and outdoor stages.

“Music is in our DNA,” said Superfly co-founder Jonathan Mayers. “And we’ve always had comedy as an ingredient at Bonnaroo and Outside Lands.” Mayers said that San Francisco was chosen as the site of the new festival because of Superfly’s decade-long experience presenting Outside Lands in the city’s Golden Gate Park.

On June 4, as the festival comes to a close, Comedy Central will present a live 90-minute on-air special hosted by @midnight’s Chris Hardwick and will feature a team of on-the-ground comedian correspondents, taped performances, collaborations, highlights, interviews and behind-the- scenes segments from the Colossal Clusterfest weekend, as well as live wrap-arounds from the last day.

“Comedy has become such a huge part of the Millennial audience lives, in terms of how they identify themselves,” Alterman said. “In our generation growing up it was all about music…comedy over the last decade or so overtook music.”

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