Josh Segarra to Star in NBC’s Comedy Pilot “Night School”

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Josh Segarra is heading to night school…

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star as the male lead opposite Shanola Hampton in NBC’s multi-camera comedy pilot Night School, based on the hit 2018 Universal movie.

The project hails from Marlonco-creator Christopher Moynihanand the film’s star-producer Kevin Hart, producer Will Packerand director Malcolm D. Lee.

Segarra was tapped for Night School as he just became available when Netflix canceled the RuPaul-starring dramedy series AJ and the Queen after one season.

Penned by Moynihan and directed by Phill Lewis, NBC’s Night School revolves around a unique mix of adults at a night school GEDprep class who unexpectedly bond over their shared experience and find themselves helping one another both inside and outside of the classroom.

Segarra will play Teddy Walker, a charming salesman. The role was played by Hart in the movie. Hampton plays the teacher, Carrie Dawes, portrayed by Tiffany Haddishin the film.

In addition to Hampton, Segarra joins previously cast Ian Gomez, Collette Wolfe, James Earland Joe Massingill.

This marks Segarra’s return to NBC and Universal Televisionafter recurring on the network and studio’s drama series Chicago P.D. several years ago. The Orange Is the New Blackalum has been recurring on CW’s Arrow as Adrian Chase/Prometheus; on Comedy Central’s The Other Two as Lance, Brooke’s simple-minded ex-boyfriend; and on Fox’s holiday event series The Moodys.

Ana de Armas’ Bond Debut Delayed as “No Time to Die” Release Moved to November Due to Coronavirus

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ana de Armas’ big Bonddebut will have to wait…

With the coronavirus affecting the box office, MGM, Eon and Universal are postponing the next James Bondmovie, No Time to Die from its UK and international release date of April 2 and its U.S. Easter weekend global day-and-date of April 10.

The 25th 007movie will now open on November 25, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

“MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G Wilsonand Barbara Broccoli, announced today that after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of No Time to Diewill be postponed until November 2020. The film will be released in the U.K. on November 12, 2020 with worldwide release dates to follow, including the U.S. launch on November 25, 2020,” said a statement given exclusively to Deadline by the three studios.

The decision to move the film to November is purely an economic decision, and not one based on growing fears over the coronavirus.

Bond is a day-and-date worldwide release, and with the franchise back in the hands of MGM fully post Sony’s distribution of the last four Daniel Craigmovies, along with Universal, all parties involved need to have all foreign territories working at their maximum in order for the latest Bond to be a continued box office success. For a tentpole of this size and scope, that kind of decrease in business would have a significant and detrimental impact on the film’s ultimate global take.

All together, the last four Craig 007 movies – Spectre, Skyfall, Quantum of Solaceand Casino Royale— have grossed $3.2B in the overall near $7B franchise, with Skyfallbeing the highest grossing film of all-time in the 58-year-old series at a whopping $1.1B. Failing at the box office is not an option for Bond, and for the studios to stick to their original release plan would be a disservice to their partners in exhibition.

No Time to Die features Craig in his fifth and final outing as the fictional MI6 agent. It’s directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga from a screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes reprise their roles from previous films, with de Armas, who portrays Paloma, a CIA agent assisting Bond, joining the cast. Other new additions include Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Dali Benssalah, David Dencik and Billy Magnussen.

Daniel Bruhl to Star in German-Language Adaptation of Novel “All Quiet on the Western Front”

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Bruhlis a Frontrunner…

The 41-year-old half-Spanish actor is set to star in and produce the first-ever German-language film version of the landmark German novel All Quiet On The Western Front.

The intriguing new version of the WWI story will bring together Bruhl, BAFTA-winning director Edward Berger, and producers Malte Grunertand Daniel Dreifuss.

One of the best-selling German novels of all time, Erich Maria Remarque’s poignant story follows three youngsters who voluntarily enlist in the German army. Full of excitement and patriotic fervor, the boys enthusiastically march into a war they believe in. But once on the Western Front, they discover the soul-destroying horror of war. Their preconceptions about the enemy and the rights and wrongs of the conflict crumble. On the countdown to Armistice, the novel’s protagonist must carry on fighting until the end, with no purpose other than to satisfy the top brass’s desire to end the war on a German offensive.

The novel was famously adapted by Universal and Lewis Milestonein 1930 and went on to win Oscars for Best Pictureand Best Director.

The plan is to shoot the $20M-budgeted film at the end of the year in Belgium and Germany. Goodbye Lenin!and Rushactor Bruhl is attached for the ensemble cast and will be an executive producer.

Casting is underway for the main role of Paul Baumer. The leads will likely be newcomers or emerging actors.

The English-language script, which is being translated into German, comes from Lesley Pattersonand Ian Stokell who first optioned the book rights almost a decade ago.

In-demand German filmmaker Berger told us, “People want authenticity. There is no way this film could be made today in a language other than German. It’s actually remarkable to think there has never been a German-language version. It’s a real hole in our film history. Telling a truthful version of the story is so important to us. We’re thinking of it as being in the tradition of movies like Downfalland Das Boot.”

Ana de Armas to Star in the Spy Drama “Wasp Network”

Posted on February 12, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Ana de Armasis expanding her Network…

The 30-year-old Cuban actress will co-star in Olivier Assayas’ Wasp Network, the spy drama based on Fernando Morais’ book The Last Soldiers of the Cold War.

de Armas joins previously announced cast members Edgar Ramírez, Penélope Cruz, Pedro Pascal,Wagner Moura and Gael García Bernal.

The film, which will go before cameras in Havana at the end of this month, tells the true story of Cuban spies in the American territory during the 1990s, revealing the tentacles of a Florida-based terrorist network with ramifications in Central America and with the consent of the U.S. government.

de Armas’ credits include Blade Runner 2049, War Dogsand Hands of Stone.

Her upcoming slate includes Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, opposite Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Lakeith Stanfield and Michael Shannon; Universal/Working Title’s untitled Danny Boyle romantic comedy with Lily James, Kate McKinnon, Himesh Patel, and Ed Sheeran; as well as The Night Clerk with Tye Sheridan and Helen Hunt.

Jenni Rivera Enterprises Agrees to Worldwide Distribution Deal with Sony Music Latin & The Orchard

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

The music of the late Jenni Rivera has a new home…

Jenni Rivera Enterprises has signed a worldwide distribution deal with Sony Music Latin and The Orchard to cover the late singer’s catalog.

Rivera, a legend of Regional Mexican music through her career, died in a plane crash in December 2012, at the age of 43.

“In Sony Music Latin and The Orchard, we found exceptional partners for the next era of Jenni’s music,” said Jenni Rivera Enterprises CEO and Rivera’s sister, Rosie Rivera, in a statement. “Her music meant everything to her, and still does to so many people. Our commitment and highest responsibility is to maintain its integrity and impact. The Orchard and Sony Music Latin feel the exact same way.”

Between 1999 and 2012, Rivera released 12 studio albums and four live albums, five of which reached the top two slots on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.

After her death, her popularity grew exponentially; two compilation albums and four additional live albums that were released in the four years following her passing all reached No. 1 on the Top Albums chart as well.

“Jenni Rivera’s contributions to the Regional Mexican genre are unparalleled,” The Orchard COO Colleen Theis said in a statement. “We are honored and excited to team up with Sony Music Latin and Jenni Rivera Enterprises to leverage our global network and bring her music to the world in a new way.”

As part of the deal, a “multi-tiered global marketing campaign” will be rolled out in order to push Rivera’s music and give it a new shine, according to a press release accompanying the announcement. Her music and catalog was previously distributed by Universal/Fonovisa, though, unusually, she had retained control of her masters throughout her career.

“We’re humbled and honored to be able to work alongside Rosie and [brother] Juan Rivera on Jenni’s legacy,” Sony Music U.S. Latin president Nir Seroussi said in a statement. “It’s an opportunity for her music to reach new audiences and for us to pay homage to a generation-defining superstar. She’s going to continue making history.”

J.J. Soria to Star in Crackle’s Drama Series “The Oath”

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

J.J. Soria is taking a special oath…

The 30-year-old Mexican American actor has landed a key role opposite Ryan Kwanten and Sean Bean in Crackle’s upcoming drama series The Oath, executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his G-Unit Film & Television.

Written and created by former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Halpin (Hawaii Five-0, Secrets & Lies), the 10-episode original series explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies. They are nearly impossible to join — only a select few make the cut – but once inside, members will do what they must to protect one another from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Soria will play Officer Pete Ramos, partner and friend of Officer Steve Hammond (Kwanten), and second-in-command of the Ravens cop gang. Ramos is streetwise with a nervous energy and a family man who is driven by the need to prove himself worthy of his wife, who comes from wealth and privilege.

In addition to Kwanten and Bean, Soria joins previously announced cast members Cory Hardrict, Katrina Law and Arlen Escarpeta.

The premiere episode will be directed by Jeff T. Thomas.

Soria has a recurring role on TNT’s Animal Kingdom and Freeform’s The Fosters. His film credits include a starring role in Blumhouse/Universal’s The Purge: Election Year.

Rodriguez to Star in Guillermo del Toro’s “Pacific Rim 2”

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Shyrley Rodriguez is Pacifically inclined…

The 23-year-old Latina actress has been added to the cast of Legendary/ Universal’s Pacific Rim 2, the sequel to Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham’s 2013 sci-fi film that stars John Boyega, Scott Eastwood and Chinese actress Jing Tian.

Steven S. DeKnight directs the pic, which is currently in production with a storyline that has “a strong connection to China,” according to Jack Gao of Wanda, which owns Legendary and made the announcement today.

The film is scheduled to hit theaters on February 23, 2018.

Rodriguez, who can currently be seen on Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix musical series The Get Down, has also landed a role in the film Wheels, the directorial debut indie from Top Chef and Project Runway helmer Paul Starkman. The film follows Max, a teen from Brooklyn, who pursues his dream of becoming a DJ.

Rodriguez plays the love interest Liza, a neighborhood girl who is strong willed, street smart, and sees the good in the world.

Bardem In Talks to Portray Frankenstein

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Javier Bardem is thisclose to taking on a monster role…

The 47-year-old Spanish actor, is in ntalks to join Universal’s big-time roster for the studio’s planned classic monsters universe movies.

Bardem, best known for his Oscar-winning role in No Country for Old Men, would portray Frankenstein.

He would join a list that already includes Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe in The Mummy and Johnny Depp as the Invisible Man. The latest news comes amid persistent rumors that Dwayne Johnson is being eyed to play Wolf Man.

It’s unclear how they would incorporate the Frankenstein creature into the interconnected slate being overseen by Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan, and it’s not set yet that a stand-alone movie would be a part of the deal.

At the moment, Universal has dated three movies: The Mummy, directed by Kurtzman, has a June 9 release set, and yet-to-be-announced titles are set for April 13, 2018, and February 15, 2019.

Perez to Pen NBC’s Cruise Ship Comedy Pilot “Port of Miami”

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’s ship ahoy for Mark Perez…

The Cuban-American screenwriter will pen NBC’s cruise ship comedy called Port of Miami.

From veteran showrunners Matt Williams and David McFadzean, the multi-camera project is set aboard a Miami-based cruise liner. The Port of Miami centers on an unmotivated white bartender who works with a variety of international employees, all of them aggressively seeking the American dream and incredulous that he is content to mix drinks, chase women and settle for less. The comedy has been described as Cheers on a cruise chip.

Port of Miami has received a script commitment from the network.

Perez, one of the inaugural members of the Disney Writer’s Program, previously penned Disney’s The Country Bears, Herbie Fully Loaded, Back Nine and Universal‘s Accepted.

Plaza’s “The To-Do List” Opening Three Weeks Earlier

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Aubrey Plaza’s latest film is coming out sooner than originally planned…

CBS Films has upped the domestic release date for the 28-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress’ next movie The To-Do List some three weeks earlier.

Plaza’s comedy, which centers on an awkward overachiever who tries to make up for her sexual underachieving in high school before she heads to college, has been moved up from August 16 to July 26.

Instead of facing off against Universal’s action-comedy sequel Kick-Ass 2, it will now serve as counterprogramming to Fox’s highly anticipated film The Wolverine.

Along with Plaza, writer-director Maggie Carey’s film also stars Johnny Simmons, Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat, Rachel Bilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg and Connie Britton.

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