Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Blue Beetle,” Starring Xolo Maridueña, to Begin Streaming on Max Next Week

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Xolo Maridueña is feelin’ blue to Max.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Blue Beetle, starring the 22-year-old Mexican, Cuban & Ecuadorian American actor, will make its streaming debut on Max next Friday, November 17.

The film, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, stars Maridueña in the title role, as well as his alter ego, Jaime Reyes.

In the film recent college grad Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab.

When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Blue Beetle.

Soto directs from a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, based on characters from DC. John Rickard and Zev Foreman are producing, with Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Garrett Grant serving as executive producers.

First Footage Released of Matt Reeves’ Batman Spinoff Series “The Penguin,” Featuring Rhenzy Feliz

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rhenzy Feliz is bracing for a life of crime…

The first footage from Matt Reeves’ Batman spinoff Max series The Penguin has been released, with the 25-year-old Dominican American actor popping up in the clip.

No premiere date has been announced.

Colin Farrell reprises his Batman villain in this eight-episode DC Studios drama series that continues The Batman epic crime saga that filmmaker Reeves began with Warner Bros. Pictures’ $771 million-grossing global blockbuster last year.

The Batman, which repped Warner Bros’ return to full theatrical releases coming out of the pandemic last year, netted a profit of $177M.

The first footage of the series, which is in production, has the look of a dark Sopranos, with Farrell playing a full-on crime boss. He’s seen wooing a brunette over dinner, limping and climbing subway stairs and boldly shooting someone from his smoking chair (“You step out of line even once, I’ll gut you like a goddamn fish,” exclaims Penguin).

“You ask yourself, what kind of life do I want?” says the Penguin in a voice-over. “The world isn’t built for guys like us; that’s why we have to take what’s ours.”

In addition to Farrell and Feliz, the cast also includes Cristin Milioti, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Deirdre O’Connell, with Clancy Brown and Michael Zegen recurring.

Salma Hayek to Star Opposite Channing Tatum in Warner Bros. “Magic Mike’s The Last Dance”

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek is preparing for a last dance…

The 55-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated actress will star opposite Channing Tatum in Warner Bros. Magic Mike’s The Last Dance.

Hayek replaces Thandie Newton, who had to step away from the project for personal reasons.

“Thandiwe Newton has made the difficult decision to step away from the production of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance to deal with family matters,” a Warner Bros. spokesperson said in a statement.

The film is in production in London and will premiere on HBO Max. Plot details for the film are unknown at this time.

Steven Soderbergh, who directed the first Magic Mike film, returns to direct this film with Reid Carolyn writing the script. Gregory Jacobs, who directed the 2015 hit Magic Mike XXL, returns to produce along with Carolin, Nick Wechsler and Peter Kiernan.

The first two films combined to gross nearly $300 million worldwide, and in 2017, the franchise spawned the successful stage show Magic Mike Live.

Hayek was most recently seen in Marvel’s Eternals.

Pedro Almodovar’s “Madres Paralelas,” Starring Penelope Cruz, to Open Venice Film Festival

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Penelope Cruz is ready for a big debut…

The 78th Venice Film Festival will open with Pedro Almodovar’s Madres Paralelas, starring the 47-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actress.

The film will play in Competition and will open the fest on September 1. It also stars Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Julieta Serrano and Rossy De Palma.

The story follows two women, Janis and Ana, who coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and got pregnant by accident.

Janis, middle-aged, doesn’t regret it and she is exultant. The other, Ana, an adolescent, is scared, repentant and traumatized. Janis tries to encourage her while they move like sleepwalkers along the hospital corridors. The few words they exchange in these hours will create a very close link between the two, which chance will undertake to develop and complicate in such a decisive way that it will change the lives of both.

The film is produced by El Deseo and will be distributed in Italy by Warner Bros. Pictures. Almodóvar received Venice’s 2019 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

“I was born as a film director in 1983 in Venice,” commented Almodóvar, “In the Mezzogiorno Mezzanotte section. Thirty-eight years later I am called to open the festival. I cannot explain the joy and the honor, and how much this means to me without falling into complacency. I am very grateful to the festival for this recognition and hope to be up to it”.

Venice director Alberto Barbera added: “I am grateful to Pedro Almodóvar for having given us the privilege of opening the film festival with his new movie, an intense and sensitive portrait of two women as they contend with a pregnancy with unpredictable consequences, women’s solidarity, and sexuality that is experienced in full freedom and without hypocrisy, all against the backdrop of a reflection on the ineluctable need for truth that is to be unwaveringly pursued. This is a very welcome return to Venice in Competition for the recipient of our 2019 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, many years after the success of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown the movie that marked his definitive triumph on the international scene.”

Anthony Ramos Contributes Single “The Best” to “Space Jam: A New Legacy” Soundtrack

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Anthony Ramos is ready to (space) jam…

Republic Records and Warner Bros. Pictures have announced details of the official soundtrack for Space Jam: A New Legacy, the upcoming sequel starring LeBron James, with the 29-year-old Puerto Rican actor, singer and In The Heights star contributing a track.

Among the 16 singles on the soundtrack: Ramos’ “The Best.”

Other artists in the mix are Lil Uzi Vert (“Pump Up the Jam“), Jonas Brothers (“Mercy”), Big Freedia (“Goin’ Looney“), Lil Baby and Kirk Franklin on the lead single “We Win (Space Jam: A New Legacy)” and SAINt JHN and SZA on follow-up single “Just for Me.”

Space Jam: A New Legacy Official Soundtrack arrives in stores and on digital platforms on July 9, one week before the film’s July 16 release.

Here’s the full track list for Space Jam: A New Legacy Official Soundtrack:

Lil Baby & Kirk Franklin – “We Win (Space Jam: A New Legacy)”
24kGoldn feat. Lil Wayne – “Control the World”
Chance the Rapper feat. John Legend & Symba – “See Me Fly”
Saweetie feat. Salt-N-Pepa & Kash Doll – “Hoops”
Lil Uzi Vert – “Pump Up the Jam”
SAINt JHN feat. SZA – “Just for Me”
John Legend – “Crowd Go Crazy”
Jonas Brothers – “Mercy”
Lil Tecca & Aminé – “Gametime”
Dame D.O.L.L.A., G-Eazy, P-Lo & White Dave – “About That Time”
BROCKHAMPTON – “MVP”
Cordae & DUCKWRTH – “Settle the Score”
Big Freedia – “Goin’ Looney”
Joyner Lucas – “Shoot My Shot”
Leon Bridges – “My Guy”
Anthony Ramos – “The Best”

Ozuna Making Cameo Appearance in First Full-Length Animated “Tom & Jerry” Feature

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a cat and mouse moment for Ozuna…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap singer is headed to the big screen with a role in Warner Bros. Pictures. Tom & Jerry feature.

After teasing fans that something was in the works with lovable cartoon characters Tom and Jerry, Warner Bros. officially confirmed that Ozuna will make a cameo in the first full-length animated Tom & Jerry feature film directed by Tim Story

“It’s something amazing for me, a great opportunity,” Ozuna said in an official statement. “I grew up with Tom & Jerry and always loved watching them. Their show was always fun and always made me feel good, being in the movie reminds me of that time. It’s great how everybody can enjoy them.”

Back in November, Ozuna, known for hits such as “Taki Taki,” “El Farsante,” and “Caramelo,” took to social media to officially present his new furry friends to his fans.

“Look who stopped by to visit me,” he wrote in Spanish, sharing a photo with the all-time classic cartoon Tom and Jerry. In the picture, Ozuna is all smiles in the middle of the popular cat and mouse characters.

Tom & Jerry, presented by Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Animation Group, will premiere on February 26 in theaters and streaming on HBO Max.

Benicio del Toro to Star in Steven Soderbergh’s Crime Thriller “No Sudden Move”

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Benicio del Toro is making no sudden moves…

The 53-year-old Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actor has joined the cast of Steven Soderbergh’s latest film No Sudden Move (f.k.a Kill Switch).

The crime thriller, which is being produced under Soderbergh’s recently formed overall deal with HBO Max, has commenced production

In addition to del Toro, the All-Star ensemble cast includes Don Cheadle, David Harbour, Amy Seimetz, Jon Hamm, Ray Liotta, Kieran Culkin, Brendan Fraser, Noah Jupe, Bill Duke, Frankie Shaw and Julia Fox.

Written by Ed Solomon, the film is set in 1955 Detroit and centers on a group of small-time criminals who are hired to steal what they think is a simple document. When their plan goes horribly wrong, their search for who hired them – and for what ultimate purpose – weaves them through all echelons of the race-torn, rapidly changing city.

“The last time I shot a movie in Detroit with a great script and a great cast things worked out really well, so I’m very excited behind my mask right now,” said Soderbergh.

“It’s a pleasure to begin production on another project with Steven Soderbergh, Casey Silver and Ed Solomon,” remarked Casey Bloys, Chief Content Officer for HBO and HBO Max. “We have an incredible partner in Warner Bros. Pictures and an extraordinarily talented cast – we couldn’t be happier to bring No Sudden Move to HBO Max.”

Vidal to Star in CBS’ Drama Series “Training Day”

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Christina Vidal is ready for training…

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican actress landed a series regular role opposite Bill Paxton and Justin Cornwell on the upcoming CBS drama Training Day.

Based on the 2001 film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, Training Day is a crime thriller that begins 15 years after the events of the movie. It centers on an idealistic young police officer (Cornwell) who is appointed to an elite squad of the Los Angeles Police Department, where he is partnered with a seasoned, morally ambiguous detective (Paxton).

Vidal will play Detective III Valeria Chavez, the best investigator in the Robbery Homicide Division, which puts her in the running for the best investigator in the world. Minus the LAPD raid jacket and handcuffs, you might take her for a soccer mom, but you’d do so at your extreme peril.

Vidal most recently had recurring arcs on CBS series Code Black and Limitless.

Gomez’s Action-Crime Movie “Getaway” to be Released Next Summer

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez will be making the perfect getaway next August…

Warner Bros. Pictures has scheduled its film Getaway for a late summer release.

The action-crime movie, featuring the 20-year-old Mexican American actress/singer and former Disney Channel star, stars Ethan Hawke as a burned-out race car driver forced to get behind the wheel for a criminal scheme when his wife is kidnapped.

Selena Gomez plays a hacker who helps him, and Jon Voight is the bad guy.

Warner Bros has scheduled Getaway, directed by Courtney Solomon, for an August 30, 2013 release.

In its Labor Day weekend slot, Getaway faces a pair of Wednesday, August 28 openers: Focus Features’ Closed Circuit and the Weinstein Company’s Satanic.

Meanwhile, Gomez is set to appear on the big screen in her breaking-out-of-the-good-girl-mold film Spring Breakers. And she will reprise her role as Alex Russo on a one-hour Wizards of Waverly Place special.

Peña Appears in New “Gangster Squad” Trailer

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Michael Peña’s about to go all gangsta…

The 36-year-old Mexican American actor is set to appear in the highly anticipated film Gangster Squad.

As seen in the just-released trailer, the upcoming crime film chronicles the Los Angeles Police Department’s fight to keep Mickey Cohen and the east coast mafia out of LA in the 1940s and 1950s.

Peña, who will be starring as Cesar Chavez in a biopic about the legendary Latino labor leader and civil rights activist, portrays detective Navidad Ramirez in Gangster Squad.

Along with Peña, the cast includes Sean Penn as Cohen, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone, Mireille Enos, Anthony Mackie, Nick Nolte and Giovanni Ribisi.

The film is set to be released on September 7, 2012 by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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