Penélope Cruz: The Next Bond Girl?

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Penélope Cruz and husband Javier Bardem may share a new Hollywood bond…

The 39-year-old Spanish actress, who won an Oscar for starring opposite Bardem in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, has been named a strong contender for the role of Bond girl in the next installment of the James Bond franchise.

Cruz, who earned recognition for her role in the Tom Cruise-starrer Vanilla Sky, is rumored to have been approached and offered the coveted role.

If the rumor holds true, Cruz, who will turn 40 next April, will be the first Spanish and the oldest Bond girl in franchise history.

Sources close to the production reportedly spilled the beans of the casting news, saying, “The producers have tried to get Penelope before, but she has never been available because of other commitments. The discussions have been going on for some time and they are working out the contract details now.”

Currently, Daniel Craig is set to reprise his iconic role in the upcoming Bond movie, known simply as Bond 24 right now, with Sam Mendes likely to direct.

Cruz’s husband earned rave reviews when he starred as the main antagonist in the recent installment of the Bond franchise, Skyfall, which was released last year.

Bond 24 is eyeing a 2016 release.

Boneta Cast in the Thriller “The Dead Man”

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is a dead man…

The 22-year-old Mexican actor/singer has joined the cast of the thriller The Dead Men.

The film is the debut feature of Kirk Sullivan, who recently left his job as Joel Silver’s assistant to pursue his dream of being a director.

The Andrew Poston-scripted film centers on an American running from his past who is brought into a group of young underground radicals called The Dead Men, only to discover a centuries-old spiritual battle.

Boneta, who starred opposite Tom Cruise in Rock of Ages, had roles on Pretty Little Liars and 90210 before landing the plum starring role of the aspiring musician in the big-screen adaptation of the hit musical Rock of Ages.

He also starred in MTV’s comedy series Underemployed.

Production on The Dead Men began this week.

Santoro’s “300: Rise Of An Empire” to Open Next March

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Rodrigo Santoro’s rising empire won’t be ready for battle until next year…

Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures’ has pushed the release date for the 37-year-old Brazilian actor’s 300: Rise Of An Empire to March 7, 2014.

The sequel to the hit film 300 was originally slated for release on August 2, 2013.

The film is taking over its official release date from the Tom Cruise-film All You Need Is Kill, which has been moved to June 6, 2014.

300: Rise Of An Empire, which sees Santoro reprise his role as Persian emperor Xerxes, will now ace off against Fox’s animated pic Mr. Peabody And Sherman.

300: Rise Of An Empire now avoids going up against Universal’s actioner 2 Guns.

The first 300, released in March 2007, earned more than $456 million worldwide.

Miranda Earns First Oscar for “Life of Pi”…

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

The second time proved to be the charm for Claudio Miranda…

The Chilean cinematographer, who has had a successful awards season, won his first Oscar at Sunday night’s 85th Academy Awards.

Miranda, who was previously nominated for 2009’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, earned the award for Best Cinematography for his work on Ang Lee’s Life of Pi.

During his acceptance speech, Miranda thanked his team and his family for the support and recalled the creative process that earned him the honor.

“This movie was quit a beast to make… Everyone was just totally there and supportive. It was like a challenge,” said Miranda. “When you are a cinematographer and when you have your eyes and go up and up, and reach this thing, you get excited. But it was really great. I’d like to thank everyone that made this thing totally possible. The Academy, I can’t speak, my wife, my daughters, everyone, thank you so much.”

Miranda’s next project: Joseph Kosinski’s Oblivion. Starring Tom Cruise, the sci-fi film centers on Commander Jack Harper, one of the last remaining men on Earth; he repairs the drones which patrol the skies and protect the planet from warring aliens.

Oblivion will be released exclusively in IMAX on April 12, 2013, one week ahead of its nationwide release.

Spalding to Replace Beyoncé in “A Star Is Born” Remake?

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She beat out Justin Bieber for the Best New Artist award at the 53rd Grammy Awards… And, now Esperanza Spalding could be replacing Beyoncé on a highly anticipated big screen project.

Following Beyoncé’s recent exit as the lead in the Clint Eastwood-helmed remake of A Star Is Born, the Hollywood legendary actor/director is reportedly looking at the 27-year-old part-Mexican jazz singer to fill in the female lead role.

Beyoncé quit the project due to scheduling issues, which has opened the door to Spalding to sign on for her first-ever big screen role.

However, sources say that until a male lead is signed, no discussions or offers will be made with the female lead.

In the remake to the 1976 musical film, Beyoncé was set to tackle the character which was originally played by Barbra Streisand. When the “Crazy In Love” singer was pregnant with her first child, Warner Bros. Pictures postponed the production, which was expected to begin this past February.

The delay was seen as an opportunity to give the studio more time to find the lead actor. Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Will Smith and most recently Bradley Cooper have been mentioned as the contenders, but no deal has been firmed up of now.

The A Star Is Born remake promises an updated version of a romantic relationship between an alcoholic star on his way out and a young female artist on the rise.

Earlier this year, Spalding, who performed a moving rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” released her follow up album entitled, Radio Music Society.

Diaz & Garcia Among the Latinos in Paramount’s Anniversary Photo

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Paramount Pictures is celebrating its 100th anniversary in a picture-perfect way, with help from five of the studio’s biggest Latino luminaries, including Cameron Diaz and Andy Garcia…

The third-oldest existing movie studio in the world released a star-studded commemorative photo through Vanity Fair magazine. In all, the picture features 116 of the biggest names in the movie industry who’ve worked with one of Hollywood’s most iconic studios.

In the image, A-list actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt pose together on a giant stairway alongside noted producers, directors and executives like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and J.J. Abrams.

“It was more than thrilling… and incredibly nostalgic… to be part of that extraordinary gathering of actors who had worked for Paramount, as I had,” said actress Ali McGraw, who can be spotted standing in the middle of photo with her Love Story costar Ryan O’Neal.

Here’s a look at the five Latinos featured in the image:

Cameron Diaz
The 39-year-old half-Cuban American actress, who may be writing her first book soon, starred in the following Paramount Pictures projects: The Shrek series and Vanilla Sky.

Andy Garcia
The 56-year-old Cuban American actor received an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Vincent Santino Corleone (a.k.a. Vincent Mancini) in one of the studio’s biggest hits, The Godfather Part III.

Zoë Saldaña
The 33-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress will be reprising her role as Uhura in the upcoming sequel to Paramount’s hugely successful Star Trek reboot.

Alejandro González Iñárritu
The 48-year-old Mexican filmmaker, the first Mexican director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director, directed Paramount’s award-winning ensemble film Babel, which starred Gael García Bernal, Pitt, Cate Blanchett.

Antonio Banderas
The 51-year-old Spanish actor, who appears in the picture next to his wife Melanie Griffith, not only starred opposite Diaz in Paramount’s Shrek sequels, but he also starred in the Shrek prequel/spin-off Puss In Boots.

The epic picture is featured in the July issue of Vanity Fair.

Boneta Featured in First “Rock of Ages” Clip

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s no wonder Diego Boneta received CinemaCon’s Rising Star of 2012 Award, especially after the release of the first clip of his highly anticipated musical Rock of Ages…

Aimed at building buzz for the U.S. release of the film, Warner Bros. Pictures released the snippet, which shows the 21-year-old Mexican singer/actor and his co-star Julianne Hough shopping for vinyl at a record store before breaking into a head-banging rendition of Foreigner‘s “Jukebox Hero.”

Rock of Ages, an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, centers on small town girl Sherrie (Hough) and city boy Drew (Boneta) ,who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the classic hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and more.

Along with Hough and Boneta, Rock of Ages stars Tom Cruise as rock star Stacee Jaxx, Sherrie and Drew’s idol. Other members of the ensemble include Malin Akerman, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti and Bryan Cranston.

Directed by Adam Shankman, Rock of Ages will open in theaters nationwide on June 15.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Boneta Rocks Out on “Rock of Ages” Soundtrack

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

He may have boyish good looks… But, Diego Boneta can rock like nobody’s business…

The 21-year-old Mexican singer/actor—who will be making his big screen debut in the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages next month—lends his voice to several tracks on the film’s rocktastic soundtrack.

Boneta—who released his Spanish-language debut album Diego while starring on the hit Mexican telenovela Rebelde—performs classic ‘80s-era hard rock anthems like Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian,” Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock” and Foreigner’s “Waiting For A Girl Like You.”

In addition to Boneta’s stellar vocals, the 20-song soundtrack will feature tracks by the film’s A-list stars, including Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Here’s a complete look at the track list for the soundtrack, which will be available on June 5:

1. “Paradise City” – Tom Cruise
2. “Sister Christian” / “Just Like Paradis

e” / “Nothin’ But A Good Time” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin
3. “Juke Box Hero” / “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough
4. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” – Catherine Zeta-Jones
5. “Waiting For A Girl Like You” – Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough
6. “More Than Words” / “Heaven” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta
7. “Wanted Dead Or Alive” – Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough
8. “I Want To Know What Love Is” – Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman
9. “I Wanna Rock” – Diego Boneta
10. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Tom Cruise
11. “Harden My Heart” – Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige
12. “Shadows of the Night” / “Harden My Heart” – Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough
13. “Here I Go Again” – Diego Boneta, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige, Tom Cruise,
14. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” – Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin
15. “Any Way You Want It” – Mary J. Blige, Constantine Maroulis, Julianne Hough
16. “Undercover Love” – Diego Boneta
17. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige
18. “Rock You Like A Hurricane” – Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise
19. “We Built This City” / “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Russell Brand / Catherine Zeta-Jones
20. “Don’t Stop Believin’”- Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige

Boneta to Receive CinemaCon’s Rising Star Award

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no denying that Diego Boneta’s star is on the rise in Hollywood…

The 21-year-old Mexican actor—who will be starring in the highly anticipated Rock of Ages this summer—will receive CinemaCon’s Rising Star of 2012 Award at the upcoming convention of theater owners in Las Vegas, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Boneta, who rose to acclaim in Spanish-language television by playing Rocco in the hit Mexican telenovela Rebelde, has appeared on American shows like ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars and the CW’s 90210.

The talented actor-singer will play the lead role of aspiring rocker Drew Boley in Rock of Ages from Hairspray director Adam Shankman.

“How exciting to think that Diego Boneta’s first film role will see him share the screen with the likes of Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Alec Baldwin,” CinemaCon general managing director Mitch Neuhauser said while announcing Boneta’s award, which will be presented at the final night gala dinner.

Boneta has also been cast in MTV‘s upcoming new series Underemployed.

First Glimpse: Boneta’s Big Starring Role in “Rock of Ages”…

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Boneta is ready, ready, ready to rock ‘n’ roll his way into your heart…

The 21-year-old Mexican actor/singer is getting his big break by starring in Adam Shankman’s highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages.

Boneta—who rose to fame after appearing in the Mexican telenovela Rebelde—stars as Drew Boley, a young upstart who moves to Los Angeles in the late ’80s to become a rock star.

It’s the role that landed former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis a Tony Award nomination, and it could make Boneta a household name. After all, Shankman called Boneta the “next big thing” after his inspired audition and compared him to Zac Efron, Channing Tatum and Liam Hemsworth.

One look at the film’s just-released trailer—featuring scenes of Boneta and his co-stars Julianne Hough, as well as Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones—and you’ll quickly notice Boneta’s star power.

Rock of Ages is set to open in theaters nationwide on June 1, 2012.

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