Tag Archives: Teresa

Eugenio Derbez Renews First-Look Deal with Pantelion Films

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It’s a special re-up for Eugenio Derbez…

Following the impressive U.S. box office returns of the 54-year-old Mexican comedian’s English-language debut How to be a Latin Lover, Lionsgate-Televisa joint venture Pantelion Films has renewed its first-look deal with Derbez and producing partner Benjamin Odell’s production company, 3Pas Studios. The companies originally inked a first-look pact in August 2014.
Eugenio Derbez

The comedy about a gold-digging Lothario getting his comeuppance stars Derbez, Salma Hayek and a clutch of American actors led by Raquel Welch, Rob Lowe, Rob Corddry, Kristen Bell and Rob Riggle.

Ken Marino’s directorial feature debut grabbed the number two slot at the box office the weekend of April 28, grossing $12 million on just 1,118 screens. Its opening weekend audience was 89% Hispanic.

“It has always been our goal to reach deep into the acculturated Hispanic market,” said Pantelion CEO, Paul Presburger, adding: “I think we also accomplished what we have always wanted to do, which is to start bridging across acculturated Latinos to the general market.”

The deal renewal reflects Lionsgate’s commitment to underserved Hispanic audiences in the U.S. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer has long been a strong advocate for Pantelion and its initiatives.

“We are really happy to continue our relationship with Pantelion, Lionsgate and Televisa,” said Odell, adding: “They provide us very strong support but allow us a lot of creative freedom as we continue to strengthen the 3pas Brand and expand both into the mainstream and internationally. We couldn’t think of better partners.”

How to be a Latin Lover is Pantelion’s second breakout hit with Derbez after his directorial debut Instructions Not Included, which became the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S. ($44 million) and the highest-grossing Mexican film in Mexico ($48 million). Televisa’s distribution arm Videocine releases the comedy in Mexico May 5 on more than 3,000 screens. Hayek will be at the premiere Wednesday in Mexico City.

Founded some two years ago by Derbez and former Pantelion executive Ben Odell, 3Pas Studios has a packed slate of comedies in development.

Next out of the gate is Overboard, a remake of Garry Marshall’s ‘80s comedy starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Comedy is slated to start principal photography May 23 in Vancouver with Anna Faris starring opposite Derbez.

Aside from remakes of French comedy The Valet and Korean comedy Miss Granny and live action comedy Ponce, 3Pas is also producing animated feature La Familia Peluche, based on Derbez’s popular live action TV show that aired on Univision and Televisa.

Pantelion is also collaborating with Televisa and Starz on the series Teresa, based on the popular telenovela, and gearing up for the July launch of the still-unnamed streaming movie service with partners Univision and Hemisphere Media.

ABC Looking to Adapt Mexican Telenovela “Teresa” for American TV

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Hollywood’s obsession with Mexican telenovelas continues…

It appears ABC is developing an adaptation of the popular telenovela Teresa, according to the The Hollywood Reporter.

Teresa Telenovela

From Saving Grace writer/executive producer Nancy Miller, the drama centers on an ambitious law student living a double life — one as an ambitious and smart law student who pretends to be like all the other wealthy kids at UCLA and another as an illegal immigrant living on the wrong side of the tracks.

The project, which has received a script commitment, hails from Lionsgate and Televisa.

Teresa first aired in 2010 and starred Angelique Boyer, Aarón Díaz and Sebastián Rulli. The telenovela ended its run in February 2011, with Univision broadcasting it for from April through October of the same year. That series was a remake of a 1959 telenovela with Maricruz Olivier, with a third attempted in 1989 with Salma Hayek in the lead role.

It’s the latest telenovela adaptation attempt at ABC, the same network that originally tried to bring Devious Maids to the small screen before ultimately passing on the project and letting Lifetime give the Roselyn Sanchez-starrer a lifeline.

Miller, meanwhile, most recently executive produced Lifetime’s short-lived Against the Wall. Her credits include The Closer and CSI: Miami.

Teresa comes as the network has found success with the Emily Van Camp-starrer Revenge, a soapy thriller the network moved to the plumb Sundays at 9 p.m. slot for its second season.

Diaz’s American Career Lifts Off…

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Aaron Diaz’s career is about to take flight on American television…

The 29-year-old Mexican actor and singer will guest star on this week’s episode of ABC’s Pan Am.

AARON DIAZ to guest star on PAN AM

Diaz—who rose to fame after starring in the telenovela Teresa—will play a passenger named Miguel, “a dashing, charming and wealthy entrepreneur,” on the 1960s-set series about the now-defunct airline.

“He’s a businessman and frequent client of the airline…and on one flight that he takes from New York to Caracas, something happens that forces the plane to land in another country, in Haiti,” says Diaz of his appearance in the episode entitled “Unscheduled Departure.” “I‘m not going to tell you more so that you watch it, but things happen that force him to change drastically. And he interacts and has scenes with all the stewardesses, captains, everyone.”

Diaz says the guest-starring role came at a perfect time, just as he was arriving in Miami to prepare for his role in the telenovela Talismán.

“This was like a first step into another language,” says Diaz, who speaks perfect English. “And I hope that projects will keep coming my way and that the timing is right to continue advancing [in the American market].”

In addition to his music and acting careers, Diaz is also a fashion designer, who introduced his PERRA clothing line in 2009.

Diaz’s Pan Am episode will air this Sunday, November 13 at 10:00 pm ET.