Fox Releases New Promo for Smollet’s “Empire”

It’s a whole new Empire (clip) for Jussie Smollett and his television family…

Fox has released a new 55-second promo, titled “Far From Grace,” offering a glimpse into season two of the hip-hop drama Empire, starring the 32-year-old Brazilian American actor/singer.

Jussie Smollett in Empire

The clip mainly shows Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in their roles as Lucious and Cookie Lyon, but does show Smollett’s character throughout, including a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kiss.

Lucious, whose family is suspected to have put him behind bars as a means to take over Empire records, is shown living in prison throughout the trailer.

“Look at how much we’ve been through. I want my family together,” Lucious’ voice is heard saying over flashes of scenes from the new season.

“Lucious is a musical genius, but he’s lost his way,” Cookie says.

The new promo reveals Cookie visiting Lucious in prison, when her husband says to her, “It’s crazy how I can love you and hate you at the same moment.” She replies, “I call it torture.”

Empire, which is up for three Emmys, returns for season two on September 23 at 9:00 pm on Fox.

Fox Gives Early Renewal to Smollett’s Hip-Hop Musical Drama “Empire”

Jussie Smollett will be in an Empire state of mind for another year…

Fox has given an early sophomore season renewal for the 31-year-old Brazilian actor/singer’s new drama series Empire.

Jussie Smollett

The order for Empire was a no-brainer, as the show has performed extremely well for the network and made plenty of noise in social media.

The Imagine Television/20th Century Fox Television drama was created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson lead the ensemble cast in the primetime sudser about a hip-hop music mogul.

Smollet portrays Jamal Lyon on Empire, which also features Rafael de la Fuente in a recurring role as Smollet’s love interest.

Smollet’s previous credits include appearances on Revenge, On Our Own and The Mindy Project.

Fox to Premiere “Empire,” Featuring de la Fuente, in January

Rafael de la Fuente is expanding his Hollywood empire

Fox has announced plans to unveil its new drama series Empire, starring the 28-year-old Venezuelan actor and singer, on January 7, with limited commercial interruption, following the season premiere of American Idol.

Rafael de la Fuente

Empire centers on Lucious Lyon (portrayed by Terrence Howard), a charismatic music superstar who is about to take his company Empire Entertainment public. Taraij P. Henson stars as Lucious’ ex-wife Cookie, and she’s still looking for a share of his success.

de la Fuente portrays Michael Sanchez on the series, which also stars Gabourey Sidibe and guest stars Courtney Love. Timbaland will serve as the song producer and songwriter, creating new tunes for the show and curating old ones.

Idol will air Wednesday, January 7 from 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET and Thursday, January 8 from 8:00 -10:00 pm ET.

Empire will debut that Wednesday from 9:00 – 10:00 pm ET.

The drama hails from Lee Daniels, Danny Strong and Brian Grazer. Empire is from Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

de la Fuente’s other television credits include Every With Way, Grachi, Aurora and Mas sabe el diablo.

De Sousa Returning for the Third “Best Man” Film, “The Best Man Wedding”

Melissa De Sousa is returning for Best Man duty…

The 46-year-old Panamanian American actress, who starred as Shelby in 1999’s The Best Man and 2013’s The Best Man Holiday, is returning as part of the ensemble cast for the next installment in the franchise.

Melissa De Sousa

Written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the third film in the series will be titled The Best Man Wedding and feature the group getting back together for a most unexpected nuptials.

The film, from Universal Pictures, is slated for release on April 15, 2016.

The previous film in the franchise, $17 million sequel The Best Man Holiday, was a hit right out of the gate, with a $30 million opening in November. It was the fifth-largest bow for an R-rated romantic comedy, the second-highest for an urban romantic comedy and the sixth-biggest for an urban-themed film overall.

In addition to De Sousa, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Film at the NAACP Image Awards for her performance in the first film, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Harold Perrineau and Monica Calhoun also starred in Best Man Holiday and The Best Man.

De Sousa Reprising Her Star-Making Role in “The Best Man” Sequel

She earned rave reviews for her performance in 1999’s The Best Man… And now Melissa De Sousa is back to impress audiences all over again in the film’s upcoming sequel.

The 45-year-old Afro-Latina actress of Panamanian descent stars in The Best Man Holiday, the highly anticipated follow-up to The Best Man, which saw its trailer released recently.

Melissa De Sousa

De Sousa is back as Shelby – a role that earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture in 2000 – in the sequel, which also sees Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Calhoun and Regina Hall all reprise the roles that helped propel their careers 14 years ago.

Writer-director Malcolm D. Lee made his debut with The Best Man and returns for the Christmas-set follow-up.

The Best Man Holiday will hit theaters on November 15.

Cannavale Starring in “Movie 43”

He may be reportedly dating actress Rose Byrne, but Bobby Cannavale still has plans for a little speed dating later this month…

The 42-year-old half Cuban actor, nominated for two SAG Awards this year for his recurring roles on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Showtime’s Nurse Jackie, will appear in Movie 43,  a series of interconnected short films that follow three kids as they search the depths of the Internet to find the most banned movie in the world.

Bobby Cannavale

Cannavale appears as Fake Superman in the segment called “Super Hero Speed Dating,” opposite of Uma Thurman as Fake Lois Lane.

The cast of Movie 43 includes Kristen Bell, Halle Berry, Gerard Butler, Josh Duhamel, Richard Gere, Terrence Howard, Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, Jason Sudeikis, Naomi Watts and Kate Winslet.

The film’s segment directors include Steven Brill, Peter Farrelly, Griffin Dunne and Brett Ratner.

Movie 43 opens January 25.

Moura to Star in “Fellini Black And White”

Wagner Moura is preparing to portray one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century…

The 36-year-old Brazilian actor, a well-established and acclaimed actor in his native country, has signed on to play Federico Fellini in Fellini Black And White.

Wagner Moura

Directed by Henry Bromell, the film centers on Betty, the beautiful veterinarian that Fellini falls in love with when he comes to Los Angeles in 1957 to attend the Academy Awards and picks up the Best Picture for Nights Of Cabiria.

Abbie Cornish has been cast as Betty. The film also stars William H. Macy, Terrence Howard, Peter Dinklage and Nina Arianda, who will play Italian film star Giulietta Masina, Fellini’s wife.

Moura achieved widespread international fame for his portrayal of Captain (later Colonel) Roberto Nascimento, protagonist of the highly successful 2007 motion picture The Elite Squad and the film’s sequel, The Elite Squad 2.

Besides his acting career, Moura is also a lyricist and the vocalist of the band Sua Mãe.

Rapace’s “Dead Man Down” to Hit Theaters in April

There’s no denying Noomi Rapace’s star is on the rise in Hollywood…

The 32-year-old half-Spanish actress—who has starred in the blockbuster films Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Prometheus—will be back on the big screen next spring.

Noomi Rapace

FilmDistrict has announced an April 5, 2013 release date for Dead Man Down, which stars Rapace and Colin Farrell.

In the Niels Arden Oplev-helmed film, Farrell stars as Victor, a professional killer and the right-hand man to an underground crime lord in New York City who’s seduced and blackmailed by Rapacae’s character Beatrice, a crime victim seeking retribution.

In addition to Rapace and Farrell, the cast includes Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper.

In addition Rapace, the original Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, is set to star opposite Rachel McAdams in Brian DePalma’s latest thriller Passion.