Herrera to Star in Fox’s Drama Pilot “The Exorcist”

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Alfonso Herrera is ready for a little exorcise…

The 32-year-old Mexican actor and former RBD member will star in The Exorcist, Fox’s drama pilot inspired by William Blatty’s 1971 book.

Penned by Jeremy Slater, the project is described as a modern reinvention of the book, previously adapted into William Friedkin’s classic horror film.

It’s a propulsive, serialized psychological thriller following two very different men — Father Tomas Ortega (Herrera) and Father Marcus Lang (Ben Daniels) — tackling one family’s case of horrifying demonic possession and confronting the face of true evil.

Herrera’s Father Tomas is the warm, selfless and compassionate leader of a small but hearty little church. Daniels’ Father Marcus is the intense holy warrior carrying out an occupation that the church no longer acknowledges in public.

Herrera got the attention of Fox and 20th Century Television casting executives last year when he was cast as the male lead in their pilot Urban Cowboy. He made his American acting debut with a recurring role on the Netflix drama series Sense8.

He’s well established in Latin America where he is a telenovela star and has done a slew of popular TV series in movies in his native Mexico, including hit telenovela Rebelde and high-grossing feature The Perfect Dictatorship.

Kelley to Star in NBC’s Cruel Intentions-Revival Pilot

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Nathalie Kelley has some cruel intentions…

The 30-year-old Peruvian-Argentine American actress has landed a series regular role on NBC’s Cruel Intentions revival pilot, according to Variety.

Kelley joins a growing cast that includes original star Sarah Michelle Gellar, who is reprising her role as Kathryn Merteuil in the potential series.

Kelley will play Carmen, the stunning chief of staff for Kathryn and her husband Pascal. She lives in their mansion, along with her teenage brother.

Cruel Intentions kicks off 15 years after the film ended, revolving around Kathryn (Gellar), as she vies for control of Valmont International, as well as the soul of Bash Casey (newcomer Taylor John Smith), the son of her brother, the late Sebastian Valmont (the character that was played by Ryan Phillippe in the ’90s film) and Annette Hargrove (the character played by Reese Witherspoon). Upon discovering his late father’s legacy in a hidden journal, Bash is introduced to a world of sex, money, power and corruption he never could have imagined.

Best known for her season-long starring role in Lifetime’s UnReal, Kelley is also known for The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and a long arc on Body of Proof.

Cruel Intentions marks Kelley’s second movie-turned-TV-series reboot this season, as she was cast in a leading role in Fox’s Urban Cowboy project, which was also in contention for 2016-17, but was abruptly scrapped.

NBC’s Cruel Intentions was co-written by the movie’s original writer/director Roger Kumble, Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross. Kumble will direct the pilot for Sony Pictures Television.

Fox Developing Latino-Themed Romeo and Juliet Project

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet is getting a Latin makeover…

Fox, showing commitment to getting a Latino drama series off the ground, is looking at an untitled project written/executive produced by Mexican writer-producer Eduardo Cisneros (Instructions Not Included) and Jason Shuman (Role Models, Lone Survivor).

From 20th Century Fox Television, it’s described as a modern Romeo and Juliet tale set against the backdrop of Los Angeles’ new Latino wealth in the music and radio industry.

Fox recently took a stab at a Latino-themed Urban Cowboy remake, which did not go beyond the pilot stage.

Romeo and Juliet has been a popular classic concept for the networks to exploit. This development season, ABC has Still Star-Crossed, a Romeo And Juliet sequel drama based on a book from Scandal co-executive producer Heather Mitchell.

Olmos to Star Opposite Alfonso Herrera in Fox’s Drama Pilot “Urban Cowboy”

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Edward James Olmos is going urban…

The 68-year-old Mexican American actor has landed a series regular role in Fox’s drama pilot Urban Cowboy, a modern reimagining of the 1980 Paramount Pictures film starring John Travolta and Debra Winger.

Olmos will play Alfonso “Al” Robles, a former hitman for a Mexican cartel who came to Texas 20 years ago to reinvent himself. Now married with a daughter and an upper-level management job, Al seemingly is living the American dream. But he’s forced to confront old demons when he helps his niece and nephew flee a bad situation in Mexico.

The television adaptation, written and directed by Craig Brewer, follows star-crossed young lovers Kyle (Alfonso Herrera) and Gaby as they pursue their dreams and passions through the sweat of line dancing in honky tonks, the grime of the oil refineries and the glamour of modern Texas.

Olmos, a Battlestar Galactica alum, recently appeared in Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Dexter.

Urban Cowboy comes from Paramount Studios Television and 20th Century Fox Television.

Justice Inks Talent Deal with Fox & 20th Century Fox Television

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Victoria Justice’s next television appearance will be on Fox.

The 22-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer has signed a talent deal with Fox and 20th Century Fox Television.

As part of the pact, the studio and network will develop joint projects featuring roles specifically tailored for the former Nickelodeon star.

They will also be able to have Justice guest star on existing Fox/20th television series.

The network and studio have young female ensemble horror comedy Scream Queens, and Justice’s background as a recording artist would also make her a good fit for music-fueled projects like Empire and Urban Cowboy.

Justice has toplined her own series both on the comedy and drama side with the Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious and MTV thriller Eye Candy.

“We’re thrilled to bring Victoria Justice into the fold as we develop our next round of fresh, young and vibrant material that can be tailored to her distinct point of view and considerable talent,” said Sharon Klein, 20th Century Fox Television’s EVP Casting. “She has an incredibly relevant fan base and major social media presence, making this a truly exciting partnership with unlimited options.”

Justice will next star in the indie romantic comedy Naomi + Ely’s No Kiss List, which will be released September 18 on iTunes.

She’ll also star in this fall’s high school comedy The Outskirts, opening wide November 6.

Her series credits also include Zoey 101 and iCarly.

Salaz to Star Opposite Alfonso Herrera on Fox’s Drama Pilot “Urban Cowboy”

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Bryana Salaz, is ready to honky tonk her way onto the small screen.

The 18-year-old Latina singer/actress, a contestant on Season 7 of NBC’s The Voice, has landed a series regular role opposite Alfonso Herrera and Jim Belushi in Fox’s drama pilot Urban Cowboy.

The project is beild hailed as a modern, Latin music-fueled reimagining of the 1980 Paramount Pictures film starring John Travolta and Debra Winger.

Urban Cowboy follows star-crossed young lovers Kyle aka Juan Miguel (Herrera) and Gaby as they pursue their dreams and passions through the sweat of line dancing in honky tonks, the grime of the oil refineries and the glamour of modern Texas.

Salaz will play Anita, Kyle’s (Herrera) sister who flees with her brother to the US after he upsets the local drug cartel.

Salaz, kike Herrera and Belushi, has a music background. She finished in the Top 5 of Team Gwen on The Voice, with her early-round performances going viral online.

Salaz’s “Problem” blind audition has garnered more than 2.1 million views, while her Knockouts rendition of “Heart Attack” has amassed more than 3.1 million streams.

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