Motion Picture: Thrillers, Rabbits and Rita Moreno
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Dora and the Lost City of Gold had it’s red carpet moment at the Los Angeles premiere this past week. With an all Latino cast, this film stars Eva Longoria, Michael Pena, and Isabella Moner and more. Eva Longoria spoke to the authentic representation found in the movie as she told The Hollywood Reporter that, “there was no forcing or checking the box of diversity if you represent Dora and her natural culture." The film hits theaters August 9th.
Jason Momoa is heading back to Netflix off of his 3rd season on “Frontier” to star in the studio’s new revenge action thriller Sweet Girl. Brian Andrew Mendoza will be directing the script written by Gregg Hurwitz, Philip Eisner and Will Staples. No further information has been released on this particular film but Momoa will be on the big screen in Dune out in November of next year.
Director Taika Waititi on the set of Jojo Rabbit with Scarlett Johansson and Roman Griffin Davis
Comedy: Taika Waititi is on a roll, after the announcement of Thor: Love and Thunder, his latest film Jojo Rabbit just released its first trailer. The film, which he describes as “Anti-Hate” centers around a young German boy in Nazi Germany who embraces the teachings of Hitler and later learns his parents are hiding a jewish girl. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, which come critics believe may hurt the success of the film after some recent unwanted press. Overall, the film is highly anticipated and the headliner for the2019 Toronto film festival.
The MCU’s very own storm, Alexandra Shipp, has signed on to be apart of David Sandberg’s Kung Fury 2 along side Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Hasselhoff, and David Sandberg himself. Filming is currently underway in Bulgaria for this sequel which starts from the Youtube sensation Kung Fury. The action comedy is set in Miami in the year 1985 following “the greatest damn cop of all time.” No release date has been announced yet.
Drama: 21 Bridges staring Chadwick Boseman will now be released November 22nd instead of its original September 27th date. According to Deadline, STX and ABGO made the decision after the trailer was well received at the H Hall at Comic-Con panel. The plot focuses around an NYPD detective who is on the hunt for two cop killers. After the search intensifies, authorities shut down all of Manhattan’s 21 bridges to help catch them. This will be a Russo brother production along side Boseman and Director Brian Kirk.
Aubrey Plaza (“Legions”), Christopher Abbot (“Catch-22”), and Sarah Gadon will be the stars of Lawrence Michael Levine’s new suspenseful meta-drama Black Bear. The film is centers around Plaza’s character, a writer who heads to the woods to move past some writers block, who finds herself in a bit of a love triangle. Currently shooting in NY, the film is coming from Productivity Media and Oakhurst Entertainment.
Getty Images
Documentary: PBS is set to air a Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For a documentary on the life and career of latin EGOT winner, Rita Moreno through the eyes of executive producers Lin-Manuel Miranda and Norman Lear. With interviews, live footage, and re-enacted moment from the actress’s childhood the documentary will comment on her career, love life and her attempted suicide. Legendary actress is currently working on Steven Spielbergs remake of West Side Story which she won an Emmy for (the first Latina winner) back in 1962.
Debra Lee, former CEO emeritus for BET | Kiefer Hickman
Industry Update: Former BET Networks Chef is joining AT&T on the board of directors for the company. Debra Lee will be the first media company related name to join the team afters its huge $84.5 billion acquisition of Time Warner. While at BET Lee oversaw the creation of the BET Awards, the BET experience festival and the launch of the company website.
California is looking to bring back production to Hollywood with its new program 2.0. The goal is give major film productions major tax breaks, giving incentive for them to film in California again ultimately leading to major spending in the state. According to the state’s film commission, 10 films have been granted the tax break out of the 58 that applied, estimated to generate $310 million in revenue for the state. This includes Purge 5, Sherlock Holmes 3 and the Little Shop of Horrors remake.
