Jessica Alba To Take Part in Creative Artists Agency’s Amplify Summit 2023

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Alba is amplifying her voice…

The 42-year-old half-Mexican American actress and entrepreneur has joined the list of Hollywood speakers and attendees for the Creative Artists Agency’s Amplify Summit 2023.

The invitation-only event kicks off on June 26 in Ojai, Calif., and will convene leading artists, thought-leaders, and executives of color from the industries of entertainment, sports, media, brands and technology.

While there, invitees will have the opportunity to explore business and social justice initiatives, as well as potential collaborations that could “accelerate transformational change in rooms of leadership and popular culture,” according to the event’s organizers.

“CAA Amplify has long utilized CAA’s role as conveners and connectors to create business opportunities for our communities, bringing decision makers together in one room,” CAA’s Natalie Tran, who has been a lead organizer for the summit since its inception. “Now, more than ever, the collective expertise and influence of the CAA Amplify network are essential to drive stronger collaborations in storytelling and partnerships that will help spark change across our industries.”

The complete list of attendees frequently straddle multiple industries and titles, and have notable award nominations and wins.

That includes actors Lupita Nyong’o, Steven Yeun, Xolo Maridueña, Thuso Mbedu, Yara Shahidi and Jillian Mercado; directors Ava DuVernay and Blitz Bazawule; showrunners Quinta Brunson and Sierra Teller Ornelas; recording artists Chloe and Halle Bailey, and Becky G.; comedians Roy Wood Jr. and Ego Nwodim; NBA pro-athletes Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul; author Anand Giridharadas; media personality Tabitha Brown; The Honest Company founder Alba and CEO Carla Vernón; Planned Parenthood president Alexis McGill Johnson; president of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker; and co-founder and CEO of Inflection AI, Mustafa Suleyman, among other leaders.

Becky G Offers First Look at Her “Blue Beetle” Character

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Becky G is feelin’ blue…

The 26-year-old Mexican American singer, rapper and actress will officially be part of the cast of Blue Beetle, the upcoming superhero film based on the DC Comics character Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle.

Becky G, born Rebbeca Marie Gomez, will voice the key role of Khaji-Da, an alien who controls the Scarab (an ancient relic of alien biotechnology), she revealed in a joint Instagram post with the film’s account.

“I’m so excited to finally be able to share with you guys that I am officially a part of the Blue Beetle familia,” she said in the short video. “I have the honor of playing the voice of Khaji-Da, who is an alien who decides to who she wants to give her superpowers, and when I say I could not be any more proud of what you guys are going to experience when watching this film, I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

Produced by DC Studios and the Safran Company, and directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle stars a Latino-led cast including Xolo Maridueña portraying the lead character and its alter ego Jaime Reyes, Becky G, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon and George Lopez.

Known for Billboard hits such as “Mayores” with Bad Bunny, “Sin Pijama” with Natti Natasha, and “MAMIII” with Karol G, this marks one of Becky’s many efforts as an actress following her role as Trini Kwan (the yellow ranger) in Power Rangers (2017), Chloe in Gnome Alone (2017), Sara Reyes in A.X.L. (2018), and Apple in Good Mourning (2022).

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Blue Beetle opens in theaters nationwide on August 18.

Warner Bros. Releases Trailer for Xolo Maridueña’s DC film “Blue Beetle”

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Xolo Maridueña is feelin’ blue…

Warner Bros has released the official trailer for the DC film Blue Beetle, starring the 21-year-old Mexican, Cuban, and Ecuadorian American actor.

From filmmaker Angel Manuel Soto, the film will hit theaters on August 18 and will be available for viewing in Imax.

The film was originally conceived for HBO Max, but then the studio pivoted to a theatrical release before Blue Beetle started production.

The first Latin DC superhero feature was developed under the Walter Hamada run era of the studio. Word is the character will be incorporated in the universe being developed by new DC bosses Peter Safran and James Gunn. In the DC canon, Blue Beetle is friends with Booster Gold, another DC character who Gunn/Safran are developing a TV series around.

Maridueña stars in the title role and as his alter ego Jaime Reyes. Recent college grad Jaime 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 superhero Blue Beetle.

Starring alongside Maridueña are Adriana Barraza as Jaime’s grandmother, Nana, Damían Alcázar as his father, Elpidia Carrillo as his mother, Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax, with Oscar winner Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, and George Lopez as Jaime’s Uncle Rudy.

The film also stars Belissa Escobedo as Jaime’s sister, Milagro, and Harvey Guillén as Dr. Sanchez.

Soto directs off a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, based on characters from DC.

Netflix Renews Xolo Maridueña’s “Cobra Kai” for Sixth & Final Season

Posted on January 21, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Xolo Maridueña has one karate fight left…

Netflix has renewed Cobra Kai, starring the 21-year-old Mexican, Cuban, and Ecuadorian American actor, for a sixth and final season.

The final run, which promises to be “the biggest and baddest” season of all, is set to begin production in late spring, according to Deadline.

The news was announced Friday in a letter to fans by series creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg.

In it, the trio shared a tribute to the world of The Karate Kid, a universe they loved so much as kids when they couldn’t have imagined they’d one day grow up to expand into a six-season series.

Not only did they bring the stories of underdog-turned-hero Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and misunderstood bully Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) to legions of OG fans, they also inspired a whole new generation.

Cobra Kai takes place more than 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, with the continuation of the inescapable conflict between Daniel and Johnny — but now their families also are involved. Had these two men grown up enough in the present day to make amends? Or even, dare fans dream, become friends?

The series welcomed a stacked list of new characters played by Maridueña, Courtney Henggeler, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Jacob Bertrand, Peyton List, Vanessa Rubio, Dallas Dupree Young, Alicia Hannah-Kim, and Gianni DeCenzo.

It also has featured the return of familiar faces from the movie franchise including Yuji Okumoto, Martin Kove, Thomas Ian Griffith, Elisabeth Shue, Sean Kanan, Robyn Lively and Tamlyn Tomita, among others.

One of the only faces missing is Hilary Swank, who portrayed Julie Pierce in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid. Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg have remained mum on the possibility in various conversations with Deadline, as has Swank. It’s going to be the final battle — at least for now — and anything goes.

Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. Will Smith, James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett executive produce for Westbrook Entertainment along with Susan Ekins in association with Sony Pictures Television. Macchio and Zabka also serve as executive producers.

Juan Carlos Coto Developing First-Responders Drama Series for CBS, “Rescue: MIA”

Posted on October 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Carlos Coto is coming to the rescue…

The Latino producer, writer, and veteran film and television showrunner is developing Rescue: MIA, a first-responders series for CBS.

Coto, executive producer on 9-1-1 who also served as consulting producer on 9-1-1: Lone Star, wrote the pilot from a story co-written by NCIS: Los Angeles director James Hanlon who also has directed episodes of Station 19 and Chicago Fire.

The drama is executive produced by a star of one of CBS’ hit procedurals, NCIS: Los Angeles’ Eric Christian Olsen, via his Cloud Nine Productions.

Somewhat in the vein of CBS’ juggernaut Blue Bloods, Rescue: MIA revolves around a legendary family of first responders that works together to rescue the citizens of Miami from emergencies and disasters, even as long-buried secrets threaten to tear apart their familial bonds.

Hanton was a NYC firefighter on the ground during and in the aftermath of 9/11, and his documentary film 9/11 won a Peabody Award as well as two Emmys.

Coto, Hanlon and Olsen executive produce Rescue: MIA. CBS Studios where Cloud Nine has a deal, is the studio.

Coto is writing and serves as executive producer/showrunner on The Ledger, an action drama at Will Packer Media headlined by Cobra Kai’s Xolo Maridueña.

Known for his work as showrunner on Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, Coto also previously co-executive produced the CW’s Nikita and worked on NBC’s Heroes and Fox’s 24.

Xolo Maridueña to Star in & Executive Produce the Action Drama Series “The Ledger”

Posted on October 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Xolo Maridueña is livin’ on the ledge(r)…

The 20-year-old Mexican, Cuban and Ecuadorian American actor and Cobra Kai star has been cast in and will executive produce the action drama series The Ledger, which hails from veteran showrunner and producer Juan Carlos Coto and Will Packer Media.

Coto, who has worked on 9-1-1 and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, will write and serve as showrunner. Will Packer will produce and Alvie Hurtado, Director of Development, WPP will oversee the project. Brandon Guzmán will executive produce.

The series will be shopped to streaming networks and premium cable.

Maridueña stars as Miguel Diaz on Netflix’s Cobra Kai, which is heading into its fourth season.

He is also set to star as Blue Beetle for Warner Bros. and DC. Maridueña is represented by UTA, Valor Entertainment and John Meigs

Best known for his work as showrunner on Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, Coto currently is executive producer on Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear’s hit Fox drama series 9-1-1. He also served as consulting producer on 9-1-1: Lone Star. Coto previously co-executive produced the CW’s spy thriller Nikita and has written and produced critically acclaimed series including NBC’s Heroes and Fox’s 24.

Netflix Renews Xolo Maridueña’s Karate Kid-Inspired Series “Cobra Kai” for Fifth Season

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Xolo Maridueña will live to fight another season…

Netflix has renewed Cobra Kai, starring the 20-year-old Mexican, Cuban and Ecuadorian American actor, for a fifth season.

The news, a nnounced ahead of the show’s fourth season premiere in December, comes as no surprise after the popular series earned four Emmy nominations in July including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy, Outstanding Stunt Performance and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy.

Production on the new season is expected to begin in Atlanta this fall.

The news Cobra Kai is a spin-off series connected to The Karate Kid franchise following the competitive world of martial arts in Southern California starring Ralph Macchio as the titular character Daniel LaRusso and William Zabka as his nemesis Johnny Lawrence. The Netflix project revisits both characters in present-day as they launch dojos of their own and mentor the next generation of karate kids, including Maridueña’s character Miguel Diaz.

Season 4 picks up after the events of the season 3 finale that saw Daniel and Johnny combine their dojos to take on the villainous John Kreese (Martin Kove) at the All Valley Tournament. The season is connected to The Karate Kid Part III and will see the return of Kreese’s equally evil best friend Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith).

The first three seasons of the series are available to stream via Netflix now.

Vanessa Rubio Upped to Series Regular on Netflix’s “Cobra Kai”

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Vanessa Rubio is stepping things up…

The 37-year-old Colombian-American actress has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s Cobra Kai.

Starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, the Karate Kid sequel series is one of the streamer’s most popular shows.

Rubio has portrayed Carmen Diaz since Season 1, appearing in 16 episodes. Carmen is Miguel’s (Xolo Maridueña) hard-working mother who would do anything to protect her son.

The third season recently premiered in January, hitting No. 1 worldwide on Netflix. The first three seasons of Cobra Kai are now streaming on Netflix with the fourth season production underway in Atlanta.

Cobra Kai takes place over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament with the continuation of the inescapable conflict between Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (Zabka).

Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. Will Smith, James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett executive produce for Westbrook Entertainment along with Susan Ekins in association with Sony Pictures Television. Macchio and Zabka also serve as executive producers.

In addition to Cobra Kai, Rubio recently appeared in the second season of Netflix’s Bonding.

Her other previous TV credits include Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings and Master of None, WGN’s Gone and NBC’s Deception.

Her film work includes How To Be Single, The Hudson Tribes and The Girl is in Trouble.

Netflix to Release Season 3 of Xolo Mariduena’s “Cobra Kai” Series on New Year’s Day

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

The fate of Xolo Mariduena’s Cobra Kai character will be revealed one week earlier…

Netflix will launch the third season of the 19-year-old Mexican, Cuban and Ecuadorian actor’s series a week earlier than originally planned. It’s now set to release all episodes on January 1.

The day after the season streams, the cast of Cobra Kai will appear on The Netflix Afterparty to talk about the latest season of their martial arts series alongside hosts David Spade, Fortune Feimster and London Hughes.

Cobra Kai is the continuation series from the 1980 film franchise The Karate Kid, starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka in their respective reprised roles of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. Now adults, Daniel is searching for answers about his past while Johnny seeks redemption for things he did in his own past. The once-rivals now have to team up to save the dojo from John Kreese (Martin Kove), who has taken over as sensei with his infamous “no mercy” philosophy.

The third season also finds everyone reeling from the aftermath of the violent brawl between dojos, which left Miguel (Mariduena) in a coma. The stakes in its upcoming season have never been higher, with, as the streamer puts it, the soul of the Valley at stake, and the fate of every student and sensei hanging in the balance.

Cobra Kai also stars Courtney Henggeler, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni Decenzo and Peyton List. Yuji Okumoto and Tamlyn Tomita will also appear.

The show is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment.

Although Netflix previously dropped the first two seasons of Cobra Kai on their platform, that was a second-run stream after the series originated on YouTube Premium. Now, with its third season and beyond (the show has already been renewed for Season 4), it is a Netflix original.

Xolo Maridueña Signs with United Talent Agency (UTA)

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Xolo Maridueña has new representation…

The 19-year-old Mexican, Cuban and Ecuadorian American actor, who portrays Miguel Diaz on The Karate Kid sequel series Cobrai Kai, has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA).

The news comes as Maridueña is set to star in season three of the karate drama, which has moved from YouTube to Netflix. The series, in which he plays Diaz, the top student at the Cobra Kai Dojo, recently debuted its first two seasons on Netflix following the shift and will launch the third season in January.

On Parenthood, which aired for six seasons on NBC between 2010 and 2015, he played Victor Graham, the adopted son of Erika Christensen’s Julia Braverman-Graham and Sam Jaeger’s Joel Graham.

His other television credits include guest roles on Major Crimes, Twin Peaks, Rush Hour and Mack and Moxy.

In film, he featured in Dealin’ with Idiots, directed and starring Jeff Garlin alongside Gina Gershon and Kerry Kenney and has also performed on stage in Light in the Darkness and Little Red.

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