Gigi Saul Guerrero to Direct Biopic About the Late Jenni Rivera

Posted on August 3, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gigi Saul Guerrero is bringing a Mexican American icon’s life story to the big screen…

The 32-year-old Mexican Canadian filmmaker and actress will direct “Jenni,” a film about the life of the late Jenni Rivera.

The biopic, which is authorized by the late artist’s estate, will be produced by Los Angeles-based multimedia company Mucho Mas Media and De Line Pictures.

Developed by Guerrero and screenwriter Shane McKenzie, the movie follows Rivera’s rise as a Spanish singer who successfully crossed over to U.S. and global audiences, as well as her work as a women’s rights activist. She died in a plane crash in 2012 at age 43.

Rivera’s variety of banda, mariachi and norteño music made her one of the best-selling regional Mexican artists ever, with 15 gold and platinum records and top-drawing tours.

She produced multiple television series like “Chiquis & Raq-C” and “I Love Jenni,” and in 2012 she was named one of the top 25 most powerful women by People en Español. She also established charities like the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation, which supports single mothers and children who have been victims of domestic abuse.

Jenni will premiere on TelevisaUnivision’s premium streaming tier VIX+ and in select theaters throughout the U.S. and Mexico. A release date has not been announced yet.

Saul Guerrero was named by Variety in 2019 as a Latinx talent to watch. Since then, she signed a first-look deal with Blumhouse Productions after the debut of her first movie, Culture Shock.

On the acting front, she has voiced characters in “Supernatural Academy” and “Angry Birds: Summer Madness.”

Gurrero also created and directed the 2017 web horror series La Quinceañera and short film El Gigante, and she co-founded the Latin genre-focused company LuchaGore Productions.

McKenzie, a frequent collaborator of Saul Guerrero’s at LuchaGore Productions, wrote the screenplays for “El Gigante,” “La Quinceanera” and “Bingo Hell.”

Jenni Rivera Enterprises will executive produce.

“Gigi is so confident in her voice and storytelling and has an innate understanding of Jenni’s life.

Juan Pablo Di Pace Joins Cast of Vix+’s “Travesuras de la Niña Mala,” Based on Mario Vargas Llosa’s Novel

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Pablo Di Pace is getting into a little mischief, and he’s doing it en español…

The 42-year-old Argentine actor and singer has joined the cast of Travesuras de la Niña Mala for the TelevisaUnivision streaming service ViX+.

He’ll star opposite Macarena Achaga in the role of Ricardo Somocurcio.

Production is currently underway in Paris and London.

“It is a privilege to portray Ricardo Somocurcio, perhaps Mario Vargas Llosa’s most idealistic hero when it comes to love. A translator whose undying love for ‘the bad girl’ will transcend time and space,” Di Pace tells Deadline. “It is very exciting to portray him from the age of 25 to 55 – from the 1960s to the 1980s – in Paris, London, Mexico, Madrid and Tokyo and to speak Spanish, English, and French. From one country to the next, she will drive him crazy but he’ll always follow. The series is a first in many ways and I am so proud to be working on it with the brilliant ViX+. It’s an absolute dream job.”

Travesuras de la Niña Mala tells the epic love story between Arlette (Achaga), a nonconformist and adventurous woman, and her once teenage love, Ricardo, a man trapped in a predictable routine. Thanks to Arlette, he slowly learns to get out of his comfort zone.

These two characters’ lives will intertwine over forty years, through reunions across Lima, Paris, Madrid, Tokyo, London, and more.

María López Castaño wrote the series based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa. Alejandro Bazzano will direct the ViX+ Original series, in production by W Studios. David Azcano joins the production as the show’s cinematographer.

“Watching the first scenes of this unique series filmed in Paris is a dream come true,” said Patricio Wills, president of W Studios. “With ViX+ we are producing this incredible series based on Mario Vargas Llosa’s beautiful book. We are not only filming in the original European locations but are accurately able to depict an era that marked a dramatic change in world culture.”

“I am thrilled and thankful to be able to direct a series based on one of my favorite novels by Mario Vargas Llosa,” Bazzano said. “Recreating the convulsive universe of this stormy love story is an exciting challenge and I am confident it will be a great success.”

Di Pace is most notably known for flexing his comedic chops on the Netflix series Fuller House in the role of Kimmy Gibbler’s (Andrea Barber) husband Fernando Hernandez-Guerrero-Fernandez-Guerrero.

His other television credits include the role of Jesus Christ in A.D. The Bible Continues and Nicolas Treviño in TNT’s Dallas.

On the big screen, he played Petros in the 2008 smash musical feature, Mamma Mia! opposite Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Amanda Seyfried, among others.

Erick Elías to Star in Salma Hayek-Produced Film “Quiero Tu Vida” for TelevisaUnivision’s Vix+

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Erick Elías wants your life..

The 42-year-old Mexican actor will star in the Salma Hayek-produced film Quiero Tu Vida for TelevisaUnivision’s Vix+ as production begins in Mexico City.

In addition to Elias, the romantic fantasy feature will also star Zuria Vega, Bárbara de Regil, Jesús Zavala and Natalia Téllez.

Quiero Tu Vida follows Nico (Elías), a young soccer player whose promising career comes to a sudden end when he suffers a devastating injury on the field. Eight years later, Nico turns into a bitter man who keeps fantasizing about what his life could have been.

When the universe magically gives him an opportunity to live the life he always dreamed of, Nico learns that fame and glory can be deceitful and sometimes happiness comes in the most unexpected ways.

The film, based on a script by José Tamez and Garcia Castro, is produced by Hayek and Tamez under their Ventanarosa banner along with Jorge Garcia Castro. Jorge Colón serves as director.

This is the first project under TelevisaUnivision’s recently announced first-look deal with Ventanarosa Productions to produce Spanish-language feature films exclusively for Vix+.

Elias’ previous credits include DKDA: Sueños de juventud, Gitanas, Locas de Amor and Betty en NY.

Eugenio Derbez & His 3Pas Studios Sign with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Posted on April 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Eugenio Derbez is getting creative…

The 60-year-old Mexican actor, comedian and filmmaker and his production company 3Pas Studios have signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in all areas.

Derbez has been on a hot streak following the announcement of multiple deals: a first-look deal with TelevisaUnivision’s streamer Vix, a development deal with Encantos for kids content, and a renewal of a first-look film deal at Lionsgate, to name a few.

The 3Pas Studios-produced bilingual series Acapulco for Apple TV+ was recently renewed for a second season.

Derbez is an award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and philanthropist, who, along with former Pantelion Films executive and producer Ben Odell, built 3Pas Studios, a bilingual production company producing English and Spanish language content for global audiences.

3Pas has offices in Los Angeles, Miami, and Mexico City, where they also have its production services arm, Visceral. Composed of 22 employees, the studio services development and production across English and Spanish language movies, scripted and unscripted content, as well as entertainment for kids and families.

Next, 3Pas will move into podcasting, as well as new, non-media-related businesses.

In 2013, Derbez wrote, produced, starred in, and directed Instructions Not Included, which became the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever, grossing more than $100 million on a $5 million budget.

Most recently, he starred in the Oscar-winning film Coda, which won Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards, in addition to Best Ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and three British Academy Film Awards, including Best Screenplay.

In addition to starring in and producing his own comedy shows throughout the past 25 years, Derbez has also starred in the 3Pas Studios’ hit movies How To Be A Latin Lover and Overboard as well as Miracles From Heaven, and Dora And The Lost City of Gold.

Up next, he will appear in The Valet, which 3Pas Studios developed and produced along with Lionsgate to premiere via Hulu on May 20th.

3Pas Studios’ other recent projects include Amazon’s De Viaje Con Los Derbez, and the Spanish-language version of LOL: Last One Laughing.

TelevisaUnivision to Adapt Mario Vargas Llosa’s Novel “Captain Pantoja and the Special Service” Into Vix+ Streaming Series

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Vargas Llosa is bringing his special service online…

The 85-year-old Peruvian novelist, journalist, essayist, former politician and literary Nobel Prize winner’s novel Captain Pantoja and the Special Service will be adapted by TelevisaUnivision as an exclusive Spanish-language series for its premium streaming service Vix+.

The series, to be produced by Patricio Wills’ W Studios, will feature a modern take on this story about a captain who leads a secret mission for the army to recruit women who use their feminine wiles to motivate the soldiers.

“As we build a brand that will be a beacon for Latin cultures, we are congregating the Spanish-language creative community under one roof to elevate Hispanic storytelling and celebrate our unique and diverse stories,” Rodrigo Mazón, EVP and general manager of Vix+, said in a statement. “We are proud to work with notable writers such as Mario Vargas Llosa to continue together developing the most prolific Spanish-language streaming service.”

This is Vix+’s second adaptation of a book by the internationally acclaimed Peruvian author. Vargas Llosa’s Travesuras de la Niña Mala is currently also in development.

The premium SVOD service is slated to launch in the second half of 2022; a free AVOD product will be available in the U.S., Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America on March 31.

Yalitza Aparicio to Star in the Horror-Suspense Film “Presencias”

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Yalitza Aparicio embracing the suspense…

The 28-year-old Mexican actress, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma, will star in the horror-suspense film Presencias.

The Videocine project, also starring Alberto Ammann, will stream via TelevisaUnivsion’s Vix+ Streaming Service.

Aparicio described the project during the streamer’s launch announcement this week.

“This is a story about a man who, after his wife’s murder, launches his own investigation to find her killer,” she said. “His investigation takes place at the scene of the crime: a cabin in the woods where he spent a large part of his childhood. Before long, he notices many strange occurrences taking place and is forced with facing a terrifying reality.”

She continued, “Part of the film was shot in Tlalpujahua, known as the magical village where it’s always Christmas, located in Central Mexico in Michoacan. Where the architecture and the local traditions are a point of pride for my country.”

The Dream Assignment production is directed and produced by Luis Mandoki.

Salma Hayek Signs First-Look Deal with Univision’s Streaming Platform Vix

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek will be livin’ the stream…

The 55-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated actress and producer has signed a first-look deal with Univision for its recently announced streaming platform, Vix.

Under the two-year deal, Hayek, through her production company Ventana Rosa, will produce exclusive Spanish-language feature films.

“Twenty years ago, I had a dream,” the star said during the Vix launch Wednesday. “The film industry in Mexico was doing five to six films a year, so I decided to go to Los Angeles. But when I got there, I realized that it was not going to be any easier but it was probably harder.”

“Things have changed,” she said, although there’s still a ways to go. The creative opportunity for Latino artists on Vix “fills me with joy.”5.2K

Her first project is a romantic comedy Quiero Tu Vida set in the world of soccer. It tells the story of a superfan who wakes up one morning in the body of a famous soccer player superstar and learns that his favorite sport is not all fun and games.

“This is such an important part of our Latin American culture and our hearts,” Hayek said. “It’s my favorite sport. This will be the first of hopefully many stories I’ll be bringing to you and all the Vix+ audience.”

Hayek’s deal joins other previously high-profile collaborators for Vix including Eugenio Derbez and Selena Gomez.

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