News

German production company Augenschein has just added “The Weight,” starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, to its slate. Company founders Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo talk to Variety about how they made the shift from foreign-language arthouse fare to English-language elevated genre movies, with stars attached.

Despite its very German-sounding name — which roughly translates as the “shine of the eye” — Augenschein has the global market firmly in its sights. As for the films, they are defined by their “signature-style directing,” Leo says.

Its Berlin lineup is led by Jan-Ole Gerster’s thriller “Islands,” starring Sam Riley, Stacy Martin and Jack Farthing, which world-premieres Sunday in the Berlinale Special Gala section, with Protagonist handling world sales.

“Mother Mary”

Other films on its slate include David Lowery’s pop melodrama “Mother Mary,” starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Cole, with A24 handling worldwide distribution; and Brian Kirk’s action thriller “The Death of Winter,...

Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe have signed up to carry The Weight. The pair will star in the upcoming historical period epic, set in Oregon, circa 1933.

Hawke plays Samuel Murphy who, after the death of his wife, is imprisoned in a labor camp run by Clancy, an unscrupulous overseer (Crowe). Murphy only wants to escape and regain custody of his daughter, Penny, but becomes entangled in Clancy’s perilous gold smuggling scheme, facing threats from both the treacherous wilderness and potential betrayal within his own group.

Padraic McKinley, known for his TV work on series such as Kingdom and Debris, will direct The Weight from an original screenplay by Shelby Gaines, Matthew Chapman, and Matthew Booi, based on an original story by Booi and Leo Scherman.

Fields Entertainment, Under The Influence, and augenschein Filmproduktion, in collaboration with Construction Film, will produce. The project has secured €2 million ($2.07 million) in funding from the Bavarian regional film fund,...

There were always two sides to the Jim Henson Company during Henson's lifetime. On one of them, you have the puppets they created for "Sesame Street" and "Fraggle Rock," shows that are as wholesome and earnest as their googly-eyed stars. On the other one, you have the often frightening and twisted puppets that Henson and his crew invented for "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth," as well as those for even creepier fantasy movies like director Nicolas Roeg's "The Witches." The Muppets, in case you were wondering, straddled the line between the two sides.

More than 30 years after its founder's death, however, Henson's legendary Creature Shop is now working on the "Five Nights at Freddy's" movie. As anyone even remotely familiar with the premise for the original "Fnaf" video games could tell you, Blumhouse's film adaptation is a far cry from even the darkest projects Henson's company developed under his watch.

Puppets and Jim Henson go together like strings and a marionette. It's basically impossible to talk about puppeteering without turning the conversation back to Henson at some point. Though he passed away in 1990, Henson's legacy lives on through his company, as well as his Creature Shop which continues to create fantastic puppetry for television and film to this day. In fact, it is this very Creature Shop that helped create the magnificent costumes and puppets used in Steve Barron's 1990 hit "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." 

But convincing Henson to take on such a specific project wasn't that easy. Producers for "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" were having a hard time getting anyone in Hollywood to take their idea of turning an underground comic book about four teenage mutant ninja turtles (there's really no other way to say it) into a movie, but when they eventually did, they still didn't have a...

The original live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are all set to emerge from the sewers and once again liven up theaters nationwide to celebrate the movie's 30th anniversary. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will have a special three-day engagement in cinemas courtesy of Fathom Events, who specialize in bringing independent movie classics to the big screen and, in this case, are giving you the exact cinematic classic you need right now.

"We are excited to celebrate 30 years of a film that brings families together in a fun, entertaining and hilarious way," said Tom Lucas, Fathom Events' Vice President of Studio Relations. "As audiences discovered in 1990, the adventures of the heroic turtles are truly meant to be seen on a giant screen in a darkened theater, so we hope audiences of all ages will make Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael part of their entertainment plans."

Released in 1990, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...

TruTV has unveiled its 2018-19 programming slate ahead of the Turner upfront presentation next week, including renewals for “Adam Ruins Everything” and “Hack My Life,” and new projects from Ken Jeong and “Super Troopers” duo Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme.

The network has given a series order to “Tacoma Fd,” which will see Heffernan and Lemme reunite as firefighters who spend most of their time tackling the less glamorous elements of the job. The new show is set to premiere with 10 episodes in 2019.

Two pilots have also been picked up, a medical advice show from “Dr. Ken” alum Ken Jeong, and an animated family comedy from comedian Jo Koy.

Also Read: Doj Argues At&T Should Sell DirecTV or Turner if Time Warner Deal Goes Through

In addition to “Adam Ruins Everything” and “Hack My Life,” truTV has also picked up 12 additional episodes of the stand-up comedy show “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks,” which will air in the fall.

See the complete list of premiere dates and full descriptions for the new shows below, all of which are in truTV’s own words.

Also Read: Time Warner Tops Q1 Earnings Forecasts Despite Rising TV Costs

New Series & Projects in Development

“Tacoma Fd” (wt) – 10 Scripted Half-Hour Episodes – Series Greenlight

On the heels of the breakout theatrical release of “Super Troopers 2,” co-creators and stars Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme will be donning new uniforms in “Tacoma Fd,” a new half-hour comedy set in a firehouse in the wettest city in America. Light on blazes that need extinguishing, they are fire fighters who are always ready to fight fires… but in this wet city, they find themselves tackling the less glamorous elements of the job. Leading the fire house crew are Chief Terry McConky (Heffernan) and Captain Eddie Penisi (Lemme). The series, which will go into production later this year and will debut in 2019, is co-created and executive produced by Heffernan and Lemme alongside David Miner and Greg Walter from 3 Arts Entertainment and Kyle Clark from Silverscreen Pictures.

“Untitled Ken Jeong Project” (wt) – New Unscripted Pilot

When it comes to medical questions, real life doctor turned comedian, Ken Jeong, is your first, second and funniest opinion. In this half-hour, comedic medical advice show, Jeong dispenses his expertise while also performing related comedy bits in front of a studio audience. Jeong and his team of correspondents tackle all aspects of health and wellness, from general medicine to that weird rash that’s starting to really burn. Created by Jeong, the series is produced by Hazy Mills Productions and Mission Control Media, with Jeong, Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, Dwight D. Smith, Michael Agbabian and Brett Carducci serving as executive producers. Jeong is represented by ICM and Carducci of Aligned Entertainment.

“This Functional Family” (wt) – New Animated Series in Development

At the center of a fractured, patched-up, multi-racial, dysfunctional family is comedian Jo Koy: a guy who just wants to be a good son, a better dad, a decent brother, and a solid ex-husband. Oh, and maybe get his career and dating life on track if his family would just leave him the hell alone. Drawing upon real-life experiences and characters featured in Koy’s popular stand-up tour, this half-hour animated scripted series asks: what if the most real family on television was also a pretty weird cartoon? Created by Koy and Kirk Rudell, “This Functional Family” (wt) will be produced by Stun with Koy, Rudell, Jeremy Colfer, Mark Feldstein, and Brad Roth serving as executive producers.

Also Read: 'Billy on the Street' to Leave TruTV

Returning Series and Premiere Dates

“The Carbonaro Effect” – 16 Episodes – Season Four Premieres May 17 at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt

Magician by trade but prankster at heart, Michael Carbonaro performs ingenious tricks on unsuspecting people, all caught on hidden camera. Whether posing as a coffee shop barista, museum curator or seemingly unremarkable store clerk, Carbonaro’s effect on people leaves fans laughing out loud with his bewildering and thrilling illusions. The series is produced by Fields Entertainment with Simon Fields and Carbonaro serving as executive producers.

“Paid Off with Michael Torpey” – 16 Episodes – Series Premieres July 10 at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt

The student loan crisis is ridiculous, so comedian Michael Torpey (“Orange is the New Black”) is solving it in the most ridiculous way possible – a comedy game show. “Paid Off with Michael Torpey” gives three lucky college grads – all saddled with student debt – the chance to test the depth of their degrees with fun, fast paced trivia questions. In the end, one lucky winner will get the chance to have their student debt paid off. The series is co-created by Torpey and Cowboy Bear Ninja, who also produces. Michael Melamedoff and Adrian Selkowitz serve as executive producers for Cowboy Bear Ninja alongside executive producers Torpey, Ethan Berlin and Leigh Hampton.

“Hack My Life” – 10 Episodes – Season Four Premieres July 10 at 10:30 p.m. Et/Pt

In “Hack My Life,” hosts Kevin Pereira and Brooke Van Poppelen provide comedic step-by-step instructions for eye-popping shortcuts and cheats guaranteed to save today’s busy adults a lot of time, effort, and money. The series is produced by Truly Original with Glenda Hersh, Steven Weinstock, Todd Hurvitz and Shari Ortner serving as executive producers.

“Bobcat Goldthwait’s Misfits & Monsters” – 8 Episodes – Series Premieres July 11 at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt

From the Sundance award-winning writer-director, “Bobcat Goldthwait’s Misfits & Monsters” is a genre-hopping scripted anthology comedy series. Each standalone episode delivers a satire of the world we live in and exploits the awkwardness of its flawed characters to tell socially-relevant stories with imaginative twists. Guest stars throughout the season include Michael Ian Black, Bridget Everett, Dave Foley, Seth Green, Melissa Joan Hart, David Koechner, Danny Pudi and more. The series is produced by Left/Right with Goldthwait, Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman, Olivia Wingate and Michele Armour serving as executive producers.

“Impractical Jokers” – New Episodes Return with Season 7 Mid-Season Premiere in Summer 2018

Earlier this year, truTV announced a significant extension of its wildly-successful “Impractical Jokers” franchise with a commitment for an eighth season of the top-rated series, plus the production on the brand’s first-ever feature-length film directed by Chris Henchy and produced by Funny Or Die. One of cable’s longest-running and top-rated original comedies, “Impractical Jokers” centers on James “Murr” Murray, Brian “Q” Quinn, Joe Gatto and Sal Vulcano – collectively known as The Tenderloins – four lifelong friends and comedians who compete to publicly embarrass each other with a series of hilariously outrageous hidden-camera dares and punishments. “Impractical Jokers,” which is a top-5 cable comedy among adults 18-34 and 18-49, is produced by NorthSouth Productions with Charlie DeBevoise, Pete McPartland Jr., Gatto, Murray, Quinn, and Vulcano serving as executive producers. The series will premiere new episodes from its seventh season this summer, with an eighth season slated for premiere in 2019.

“Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks” – 12 Additional Episodes – Season One Continues in Fall 2018

Prolific DJ and comedian Cipha Sounds hosts “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks,” an inventive series that flips stand-up comedy on its head and introduces viewers to the next generation of great comedians. In each half-hour episode, Cipha welcomes a rotating cast of comedians who perform hilarious stand-up routines. In a playful reinvention of the standard stand-up format, each joke is heightened with actors bringing them to life in over-the-top visual recreations. At the end of each episode, Sounds introduces the “Joke of the Night,” with one final comedian bringing down the house with the biggest laughs of the episode. The series, which premiered on truTV earlier this year, will return this fall for an additional 12 episodes of its first season. It is produced by Rotten Science with executive producers Matthew Vaughan and Eric Abrams, along with Laff Mobb Entertainment’s Bob Sumner and Arthur Spivak.

“Adam Ruins Everything” – 10 Episodes – Season Three Premieres in Fall 2018

In “Adam Ruins Everything,” creator and host Adam Conover embarks on a comically inventive and relentlessly factual quest to reveal the hidden truths about everything we know and love. Tackling a broad range of topics in the upcoming third season, Conover delivers both fun facts and compelling information, encouraging viewers to see the world in a whole new way. Created by Conover, the series is produced by Big Breakfast, an Electus company, with Conover, Sam Reich, Jon Cohen, and Jon Wolf serving as executive producers.

“I’m Sorry” – 10 Episodes – Season Two Premieres in Late 2018

Created by and starring Andrea Savage, the half-hour scripted comedy “I’m Sorry” follows seemingly confident comedy writer, wife and mom Andrea who comically exposes her inner immaturity and neuroses through unexpected life situations. Delivering consistent ratings growth, social buzz and critical praise in its premiere season, the breakthrough series – which also stars Tom Everett Scott and Olive Petrucci – was 2017’s fastest growing ad-supported cable comedy. “I’m Sorry” is executive produced by Savage, Joey Slamon, A24’sRavi Nandan, Gloria Sanchez’s Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, and Lonely Island’s Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer.

“Jon Glaser Loves Gear” – 10 Episodes – Season Two Premieres in Late 2018

Actor and comedian Jon Glaser (“Parks and Recreation”) still loves gear – and this one-sided love affair continues with the debut of the second season of this half-hour comedy. Season two picks up where season one left off, as Jon conquered his demons and unraveled the meaning of what gear truly meant to him. Thankfully there’s an endless amount of new gear out there for Jon to love, all while being supported by his real family, his fake family, his phone, and his ‘Spurt. The series is produced by Pffr with Vernon Chatman, John Lee, and Alyson Levy executive producing alongside Glaser, Dave Becky, Richard Korson and David Miner.

“Those Who Can’t” – 13 Episodes – Season Three Premieres in Late 2018

Later this year, truTV’s first scripted series “Those Who Can’t” returns for a third season that is more unhinged and hilarious than the last. Denver-based comedy troupe The Grawlix (Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl and Ben Roy) return as three trouble-making teachers who, joined by librarian Maria Thayer, are more inept than the kids they teach and are out to beat the system as they struggle to survive each day on their own terms. The series is executive produced by Tracey Baird and Krysia Plonka of Thank You, Brain! Productions; Michael Rotenberg and Josh Lieberman of 3 Arts Entertainment; Richard Korson, and Andrew Weinberg, who also serves as this season’s show runner.

Read original story TruTV Renews ‘Adam Ruins Everything,’ Orders ‘Tacoma Fd’ Series From ‘Super Troopers’ Pair At TheWrap...

Exclusive: Jennifer Lopez‘s Nuyorican Prods. has entered into a first look production deal with Universal Television to develop new scripted and reality projects. In conjunction with the deal, Priscilla Porianda, who joined Nuyorican last year, has been named Head of Development. “I am thrilled to have Nuyorican partner with NBC Universal and I am happy to announce Priscilla Porianda as our Head of Development,” Lopez said. “She will work closely with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina and I in expanding our brand into scripted and unscripted television. Our goal at Nuyorican has always been to create edgy, timely and relevant programming.” The company has breakout new ABC Family drama The Fosters, about a lesbian couple raising children, which was recently renewed for a second season. Porianda serves as a co-producer on The Fosters as well as Nuyorican’s upcoming feature with Universal/Blumhouse Boy Next Door. “We are so lucky...

You may know that I’m already something of a reluctant, if fairly enthusiastic, fan of ABC Family, and most of the shows they put out. If so, I don’t have to sell you on the two new series coming your way this summer (and only really want to sell you on one anyway).

Much as ABC Family may not quite be putting out the best shows on television, if you look at series that are predominantly geared toward a specific demographic… well, I think they might be actually. Younger audiences (and let’s face it, especially female audiences) are caught in a sort of black hole when it comes to television, and shows aimed at them today are either convinced that your brain doesn’t turn on until you’re 20 (actually, it switches off at about 11, and back on at some vague point), or have no real appeal...

Teri Polo (Meet The Parents) and Sherri Saum (In Treatment) will topline ABC Family‘s drama pilot The Fosters, executive produced by Jennifer Lopez. The project tells the story of Stef (Polo) and Lena (Saum) Foster, a mixed-race couple who are raising a biological son, along with several adopted children. When Lena decides to take in Callie, a troubled teen with an abusive past, Callie’s disruptive ways threaten to turn the Fosters’ lives upside down. Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige wrote the pilot, from Lopez’s Nuyorican Prods. In addition to Lopez, executive producers include Simon Fields, Bredeweg, Paige, and Greg Gugliotta. Polo, repped by Gersh and manager Bob McGowan, is filming indie A Bit Of Bad Luck.

ABC is continuing its aggressive expansion of scripted programming by ordering a pair of drama pilots, "The Fosters" and "Socio."   "The Fosters" comes from executive producer Jennifer Lopez and writers Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige and focuses on a multi-ethnic family of foster kids and biological kids being raised by two mothers.   Simon Fields and Greg Gugliotta will serve as executive producers on the Nuyorican Productions, Inc. and Prodco, Inc. pilot.   "Socio" was written by Adam Milch ("Greek") and will be executive produced by Gavin Polone. Think "Dexter Jr," because the pilot is built around a 16-year-old sociopath...

ABC Family has greenlit pilots executive produced by Jennifer Lopez and "Curb Your Enthusiam" producer Gavin Polone. Lopez's "The Fosters" -- a working title -- is an hourlong drama about a multi-ethnic family of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms. Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige will serve as writers and executive producers. Simon Fields and Greg Gugliotta will also executive produce the series, which is produced by Nuyorican Productions, Inc., and Prodco, Inc. The Polone-produced "Socio" is about a 16-year-old who may be a sociopath. He reconnects with...

Having just done the renewal/cancellation of its summer series, ABC Family is embarking on its next pilot cycle with the pickup of two new drama pilots, multi-ethnic family show The Fosters, executive produced by Jennifer Lopez, and Socio, about a teen psychopath. Created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige, who will serve as executive producers, The Fosters is a one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms. Lopez will executive produce with her producing partner at Nuyorican Prods. Simon Fields as well as Greg Gugliotta. Nuyorican is producing with ABC Family’s in-house production arm Prodco, Inc. Socio is a one-hour drama centered on a charismatic sixteen-year-old alleged sociopath, who recently reconnected with his two female best friends from childhood, and who becomes the prime suspect when a fellow student is murdered. The project, which has Dexter Jr. vibe, was...

ABC Family is banking on industry veterans for potential new series. The cable network, home to Pretty Little Liars and Switched at Birth, has greenlighted two drama pilots: The Fosters (working title) from Jennifer Lopez and Socio from Gavin Polone, whose Jane by Design was recently canceled after one season. Photos: Broadcast TV's Returning Shows for 2012-13 Season From executive producer Lopez and co-creators Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige, The Fosters is a one-hour drama revolving around a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms Stef and Lena. Simon Fields

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So what else is new? J-Lo over the years has disposed of more Hollywood agencies than boyfriends including CAA, ICM, Endeavor, and William Morris – sometimes more than once. UTA helped start J-Lo in acting by putting her in Selena and Steven Soderbergh’s Out Of Sight. After leaving, she came back to UTA in 2008 to focus on restarting what was then her dormant acting career after she had twins. She is partnered on her production company Nuyorican with Simon Fields, while manager Benny Medina masterminded J-Lo’s comeback. The question now is, without the American Idol spotlight, will her career go dark again? UTA didn’t handle her 8-month world tour which prevented her from signing on to more movie/TV projects. But it did rep Lopez for The Back-Up Plan and What To Expect When You’re Expecting which both underperformed at the box office, and in Taylor Hackford...

Update: So what else is new? J-Lo over the years has disposed of more Hollywood agencies than boyfriends including CAA, ICM, Endeavor, and William Morris – sometimes more than once. So now she’s returned to CAA after a long absence. UTA helped start J-Lo in acting by putting her in Selena and Steven Soderbergh’s Out Of Sight. After leaving, she came back to UTA in 2008 to focus on restarting what was then her dormant acting career after she had twins. She is partnered on her production company Nuyorican with Simon Fields, while manager Benny Medina masterminded J-Lo’s comeback. The question now is, without the American Idol spotlight, will her career go dark again? UTA didn’t handle her 8-month world tour which prevented her from signing on to more movie/TV projects. But it did rep Lopez for The Back-Up Plan and What To Expect When You’re...

Nine years after she played a Lesbian character in the movie "Gigli," Jennifer Lopez is developing an hour-long show for ABC Family about a lesbian couple with kids.

According to Deadline.com, the new series centers on a lesbian couple with kids (one biological son and adopted teen twins--one a boy, the other a girl), whose household is turned upside down when a wayward teenage girl moves in.

Deadline reports that in addition to serving as the show's executive producer, J.Lo is also planning to guest star in the series.

La Lopez is one of several producers on the ABC Family series. Other producers include Simon Fields, Lopez’s partner at Nuyorican Productions, Peter Paige and Brad Bredeweg, the creators and writers of the show, and Greg Gugliotta, who has worked with ABC Family before on movies like 2003’s "Beautiful Girl."

News about Lopez's new show comes amid reports...

Nine years after she played a Lesbian character in the movie "Gigli," Jennifer Lopez is developing an hour-long show for ABC Family about a lesbian couple with kids.

According to Deadline.com, the new series centers on a lesbian couple with kids (one biological son and adopted teen twins--one a boy, the other a girl), whose household is turned upside down when a wayward teenage girl moves in.

Deadline reports that in addition to serving as the show's executive producer, J.Lo is also planning to guest star in the series.

La Lopez is one of several producers on the ABC Family series. Other producers include Simon Fields, Lopez's partner at Nuyorican Productions, Peter Paige and Brad Bredeweg, the creators and writers of the show, and Greg Gugliotta, who has worked with ABC Family before on movies like 2003's "Beautiful Girl."

News about Lopez's new show comes amid reports that...

Having already conquered reality TV as a judge on "American Idol" and executive producer of series such as Univision's "¡Q'Viva!: The Chosen" and MTV's "Dancelife," Jennifer Lopez is now moving behind the scenes of scripted programming. Deadline reported that ABC Family is fast-tracking a new hour-long drama series that will be developed and executive produced by Lopez, with her Nuyorican Productions partner Simon Fields.The untitled series is about a lesbian couple, one of whom is a police officer and the other a private school teacher. They already have one biological son and adopted teen twins (one of which is a boy and the other a girl), but their household is turned upside down when they take in a wayward teenage girl. According to Deadline, Lopez is also reportedly planning to guest star in the show.Production dates and locations for the new show have not been announced, and the casting director.

Jennifer Lopez is coming to ABC Family, both behind the scenes and potentially in front of the camera.

Lopez and her producing partner, Simon Fields, are developing a drama project with the cable channel about a lesbian couple and their kids, Deadline reports. The couple -- one a police officer, the other a teacher -- has one biological son and two adopted kids and takes in a teenage girl as the series kicks off.

The "American Idol" judge may also guest-star on the show if it's picked up to series.

The project is Lopez's first foray into producing a scripted show since "South Beach," a short-lived Upn drama that aired in 2006.

Actor-turned-writer and producer Peter Paige ("Queer as Folk") and Brad Bredeweg created the show and will executive produce with Lopez, Fields and Greg Gugliotta. Paige and Bredeweg previously created The CW's unscripted show "Fly Girls."...

ABC Family is looking to get into business with Jennifer Lopez. Under Nuyorican Productions, the American Idol judge is developing an untitled hourlong drama project for the younger-female-skewing cable network centered on a lesbian couple, who already has several children, bringing a teenager into their home, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Lopez will serve as an executive producer on the project along with Simon Fields, Greg Gugliotta (Beautiful Girl), as well as co-creators/writers Peter Paige and Brad Bredeweg (Fly Girls). Lopez has executive produced her share of television, with the likes of Univision's Q'Viva: The Chosen and MTV's

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Exclusive: Jennifer Lopez is developing an hour-long drama for ABC Family. The so far untitled series is about a lesbian couple who suddenly have their already child heavy household turned upside down when a wayward teenage girl moves in. One of the mothers is a cop, the other is a private school teacher. They have one biological son and adopted teen twins, one a boy, the other a girl. The American idol judge is said to be planning to guest star in the show. Lopez will executive produce the series, which the network is fast tracking, with Simon Fields, her partner at Nuyorican Productions. Peter Paige and Brad Bredeweg, the creators and writers of the show, will also executive produce. Greg Gugliotta, who has worked with ABC Family before on movies like 2003’s Beautiful Girl, is also on board as an executive producer on the show. Executive Mina Lefevre is...

Darren Lemke ("Shrek Forever After," "Jack the Giant Killer") is set to pen the live-action film adaptation of the classic educational video game and animated series "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" for Walden Media reports Heat Vision.

The story has the Acme agency’s greatest detective Carmen Sandiego having become the world’s greatest thief, so it’s up to her former partner to follow her clues and track her down. Their cat-and-mouse game leads the partner to confront a greater mystery: Is Carmen really a thief or a hero?"

Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina, Simon Fields, Nick Osbourne, Trevor Engelson and Devin Andre will produce with Lopez tipped to star. The tone is said to be akin to "National Treasure" meets "The Thomas Crown Affair".

Disney previously optioned the film rights to the property in the late 1990s and developed a version for Sandra Bullock, but that version never took off.

Darren Lemke, who worked on Shrek Forever After as well as Bryan Singer’s upcoming Jack the Giant Killer, has been tapped to pen the big-screen version of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Walden Media picked up the rights to the educational computer game-turned-cartoon from Houghton Mifflin in the fall of 2011. Jennifer Lopez is one of the producers and eyeing it as a starring vehicle. Also producing are Benny Medina and Simon Fields, Lopez’s partners at Nuyorican Productions as well as Underground’s Nick Osbourne, Trevor Engelson and Devin Andre. The story of the geographically-inclined

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Jennifer Lopez and Wilmer Valderrama are teaming up with Tres: MTV, Musica y Mas (formerly MTV Tres), the cable network targeting the Hispanic millennial generation. Additionally, the cable net has given the go-ahead on a docuseries centered on former Rbd singer Dulce Maria and has renewed originals Quiero Mis Quinces, Quiero Mi Boda, Rock Dinner and La Escalera. Lopez will serve as executive producer along with Simon Fields and Jane Startz (Ella Enchanted, Tuck Everlasting) on Amigas Inc., an aspirational eight-episode television series that chronicles the lives of four entrepreneurial Miami teenagers who launch a party-planning business

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Walden Media has picked up the live-action film rights to the classic educational game series turned animated show "Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?" reports Deadline.

An official synopsis is already out: "When the Acme agency’s greatest detective Carmen Sandiego becomes the world’s greatest thief, it’s up to her former partner to follow her clues and track her down. Their cat-and-mouse game leads the partner to confront a greater mystery: Is Carmen really a thief or a hero?"

Walden plans to turn the property into a feature starring Jennifer Lopez as the title character, though at present J-Lo is attached to produce only alongside Benny Medina, Simon Fields, Nick Osbourne, Trevor Engelson and Devin Andre. The tone is said to be akin to "National Treasure" meets "The Thomas Crown Affair".

Disney previously optioned the film rights to the property in the late 1990s and developed a version for Sandra Bullock,...

Jennifer Lopez and Walden Media are teaming up to bring Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? to the big screen. Deadline reports that Walden has acquired the rights to make a live-action adaptation and that Lopez is currently only attached as a producer. The plan is to make the film into a mix of National Treasure and The Thomas Crown Affair.

Here is the logline:

"when the Acme agency’s greatest detective Carmen Sandiego becomes the world’s greatest thief, it’s up to her former partner to follow her clues and track her down. Their cat and mouse game leads the partner to confront a greater mystery: is Carmen really a thief or a hero?"

Lopez is producing along with her Nuyorican Productions’ partners Benny Medina and Simon Fields, along with Underground Films’ Nick Osbourne, Trevor Engelson and Devin Andre. This is a perfect project for Walden Media...

Actress Jennifer Lopez and Walden Media are teaming up to produce an adaptation of the video game and TV series Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? It is rumored that Jennifer Lopez may star as the title character, but, for now, she is only producing. Here's a brief synopsis for the project below.

"When the Acme agency's greatest detective Carmen Sandiego becomes the world's greatest thief, it's up to her former partner to follow her clues and track her down. Their cat and mouse game leads the partner to confront a greater mystery: is Carmen really a thief or a hero?"

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? started off as an educational video game before it spawned the Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? animated TV series. Jennifer Lopez will produce the movie alongisde Benny Medina, Simon Fields, Nick Osbourne, Trevor Engelson, and Devin Andre.

No production...

Walden Media has acquired the feature rights to Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? and they’re hoping Jennifer Lopez will help them answer the question. While I think Lopez could actually be a good choice to portray the anti-heroine, at this moment she’s only in talks to produce through her Nuyorican Productions. The project has been described as National Treasure meets The Thomas Crown Affair. Originally starting as an educational computer game before turning into a cartoon series (and game show), Carmen Sandiego follows the titular anti-heroine as she travels the world stealing irreplaceable artifacts. Her former partner at the Acme Detective Agency must try to stay one step ahead of her and bring her in. Hit the jump for more. While I think Lopez could actually make this character work, the property misfired once before in a Disney option for Sandra Bullock that never got made.

Exclusive: Walden Media has acquired rights to turn Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? into a live-action film involving Jennifer Lopez. I’d heard that Walden Media will develop the property as a vehicle for Lopez to play the title character, but Walden Media said at this point, she’s attached to produce only. The hope is to turn the property into National Treasure meets The Thomas Crown Affair. The logline: When the Acme agency’s greatest detective Carmen Sandiego becomes the world’s greatest thief, it’s up to her former partner to follow her clues and track her down. Their cat-and-mouse game leads the partner to confront a greater mystery: Is Carmen really a thief or a hero? The property originated as an educational computer game before it was turned into an animated TV series. The film will be produced by Lopez and her Nuyorican Productions’ partners Benny Medina and Simon Fields,...

Jennifer Lopez recently made headlines for breaking into tears at a recent concert performance, which celebrity pundits interpreted as heartbreak over her divorce from Marc Anthony. Lopez generated headlines today on the career front as Deadline reported that Walden Media and Lopez joined forces to produce a live-action feature based on the popular elementary school teaching program, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Lopez joined via her shingle Nuyorican Productions along with partners Benny Medina and Simon Fields in addition to Underground Films and Walden Media. Walden Media pointed out that Lopez only joined as a producer but don’t be surprised if she expands her role.

Jennifer Lopez recently made headlines for breaking into tears at a recent concert performance, which celebrity pundits interpreted as heartbreak over her divorce from Marc Anthony. Lopez generated headlines today on the career front as Deadline reported that Walden Media and Lopez joined forces to produce a live-action feature based on the popular elementary school teaching program, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Lopez joined via her shingle Nuyorican Productions along with partners Benny Medina and Simon Fields in addition to Underground Films and Walden Media. Walden Media pointed out that Lopez only joined as a producer but don’t be surprised if she expands her role.

Los Angeles, California (X17online) -- Jennifer Lopez is amping up the production side of her business. The star, who already produces a reality show set in Miami, has now sold a dramedy project to Fox. The TV show is the story of a Latino group of sisters' interconnected love lives. Ugly Betty showrunner Silvio Horta is working with Lopez. The potential series, from Sony Pictures TV, is part of Horta's overall deal with Sony, which was signed in June. Horta will write and executive produce, with Lopez and her Nuyorican Prods. producing partner Simon Fields attached to executive produce.

Exclusive: Fox is expanding its relationship with American Idol star Jennifer Lopez to the scripted side. The network has bought a family dramedy project from Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta, which he is executive producing with Lopez. Sony Pictures TV, where Horta is under an overall deal, is producing the dramedy, which has landed a script commitment with penalty. The project, inspired by an idea of Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly, had been earmarked for Fox ever since Horta started developing it at Sony several months ago. It is about a Latino family and centers on three sisters and their interlinked lives. Horta will write the script and executive produce with Lopez and her producing partner at Nuyorican Prods Simon Fields. Lopez, who started in TV as a dancer on In Living Color and actress on several series, has stayed connected to the small screen as a producer and now as judge on Idol.

New American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez is heaping more on her plate: The actress/singer is set to produce a new hour-long dramedy for ABC that will “center on three branches of an extended Los Angeles family — as told through the eyes of their three Latina nannies,” according to Variety. Lopez and her producing partner Simon Fields are joining with Friends and Big Love writer Alexa Junge for the still-untitled project.

ABC’s pretty full of family-centric shows these days: Modern Family, No Ordinary Family, Brothers & Sisters, The Middle, Better With You, maybe even Cougar Town. Lopez’s producing record isn’t hugely encouraging — Dancelife,...

After much anticipation and speculation as to who would replace departing judges Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and most tragically Simon Cowell, Fox has finally announced what everyone online already seemed to know. Actress/pop star Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler have signed on as the new judges for the 10th season of the outrageously popular reality competition series American Idol. Meanwhile, record producer Randy Jackson is the only original judge and holdover from last season who has opted to return. Hit the jump for some quotes from the new judges:

Lopez was probably the hardest to snag for the competition (though she had previously been a mentor on the show), but Fox was able to reel her in with a first-look deal at Fox Films so she can keep making poor romantic comedies like The Back-Up Plan and Monster-in-Law. The singer/actress says, “For nine years I’ve...

Former model-turned-reality TV star Janice Dickinson is concerned she's a cougar - because it "bothers" her she's dating a man 22 years her junior. The 55 year old has been in a relationship with a firefighter for the last year, and although she's happy with her love life, Dickinson's still getting used to the age-gap.

She tells Britain's Loose Women, "I've been with a fireman for a year now... or a little over a year, isn't that enough? (The age-gap), that bothers me... it really does. It doesn't bother him. I'm 55, he's 33 now."

Before dating the fireman, Janice Dickinson has married three times. Her former husbands are Ron Levy, Simon Fields and Albert B. Gerston. Her past lovers included Warren Beatty, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson and Roman Polanski.

Exclusive: I've learned that Jennifer Lopez had been negotiating for a guaranteed "go" motion picture and TV pilots at Fox to accompany an asked-for $15 million American Idol judging paycheck. But the powers-that-be who produce Idol -- Fox, Fremantle, and 19 Entertainment -- balked. It was her manager Benny Medina (whom she once fired) who first orchestrated the meeting with the Idol producers in June, and, by the end of July, J-Lo accepted the offer to be a new Idol judge. Since then, she, Medina and her producing partner Simon Fields have been trying to milk the gig for all they could get from the movie studio and broadcast network/television programmer to further her stalled career in the film/TV area. One bargaining chip they had, I can report, is that Simon Cowell already asked JLo to be a judge on the U.S. version of his The X Factor when...

Cannes Countdown: 16 Days: The Match Factory'sUncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

aka Lung Boonmee Raluek Chat

The Match Factory is one of the most dynamic and important international sales agents. To learn how international independent coproductions of the festival type film get made, you need to know origins of The Match Factory itself. Founder Karl Baumgartner is The Maestro of International Coproduction. He has been producing since 1991 and has at least two production companies, one of which is Pandora which goes back as a German distribution company to the 1950s and which with partner Reinhard Brundig is a partner in The Match Factory.  In 1963 Baumie, as he is known to his friends, prebought Jarmisch's Down By Law which immediately put both Jarmisch and his producer Jim Stark into international play.  Beside their slate of current films, they represent the entire library of Aki Kaurismäki.

Cofounder and partner, Michael Weber...

Janice Dickinson won't stop at having a reality show surrounding her modeling career. The self-proclaimed the world's number 1 supermodel is brewing a new reality show which sees her as a cougar feeding on young men to serve the purpose of her romantic life.

The project is made as a dating kind of show where "boy toys" will compete for her attention by "waiting on her hand and foot", TMZ reported. The 55-year-old is teaming up with Wikked Entertainment in getting the work done but she has not had any network to air it yet.

Known for her relationship with a lot of men in Hollywood, Dickinson has been married three times to three different persons. With Simon Fields, she has a son named Nathan who also appeared on her show "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency". She has a daughter too named Savannah from boyfriend Michael Birnbaum.

Former supermodel Janice Dickinson has found love with a Los Angeles firefighter 22 years her junior.

The 54-year-old star met her new boyfriend, Alex Abdalla, at a John Fogerty concert just days after she was eliminated from U.S. jungle reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in June.

Dickinson says, "I went to see John Fogerty and there he was at the Hollywood Bowl. I'd just gotten out of the jungle for I'm a Celebrity, I was there for a month. It's no secret I kicked anti-depressants in the jungle, I was just numb. And I was like, 'Please lord, let me meet somebody!'"

But it wasn't the leggy brunette's fame that attracted the Los Angeles county fireman to Dickinson: "At the concert, he said, 'Am I supposed to know you?' because everyone was going, 'Hey Janice! Hey Janice!'"

Three months on, Dickinson admits she has fallen in love with Abdalla, and the feeling's mutual.

He says, "(I love her) very much. Very much so."

However, Nathan, the supermodel's 22-year-old son from her 1987 marriage to Simon Fields, has yet to be won over by his mum's new man

Dickinson adds, "Nathan's a little unsure about him."

She has previously claimed to have dated actors Warren Beatty, Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson and Sir Mick Jagger.

  Jennifer Lopez will produce Fox's English-language remake of Argentina's teen telenovela "Rebelde Way" ("The Rebels"). Duane Adler ("Save the Last Dance," "Step Up") will adapt the series for Lopez and Simon Fields' Nuyorican Prods. According to Variety, "Rebels" focuses on a pop group made up of teens from an elite private school. In Argentina, the format led to a feature film and an actual band that recorded CDs and toured the country. Buenos Aires-based producers Cris Morena Group and Rgb Entertainment have sold the format in its original form to 40 countries and sold remake rights to a slew of...

ABC is bringing the Jennifer Lopez starrer "Maid in Manhattan" to the small screen.

The network is in negotiations for a series adaptation of the 2002 romantic comedy to be penned by Chad Hodge and executive produced by Lopez, Joe Roth and the film's producer, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.

The hourlong dramedy, which is getting a put pilot commitment, is not a remake of the hit feature, which centered on Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a struggling single mother from the Bronx who works as a maid at a swanky Manhattan hotel, where a rising politician guest (Ralph Fiennes) falls for her after mistaking her for a wealthy socialite.

"The show is a different maid in a different Manhattan," Hodge said.

The lead in the TV version will still be a young Latina from the Bronx working at a Manhattan hotel who tries to make it in the world. But the series will focus mostly on her relationships with co-workers.

"While the hotel's clientele is an obvious part of this world, I'm more interested in the downstairs part of 'Upstairs, Downstairs,' " Hodge said, referring to the classic British series.

Hodge was approached with the idea of adapting "Maid" by Roth, whose company Revolution Studios produced the feature, and Nina Lederman, president of Roth's current company Joe Roth Television.

Hodge, who had written a couple of ABC Family romantic comedies, immediately connected with the idea.

"I imagine being a writer in Hollywood is often very similar to being a maid in Manhattan," he said.

Lopez, a Bronx native, has been very involved, providing "a fountain of ideas," Hodge said. "She will be very integral in the pilot and series," he said.

In addition to Hodge, Lopez, Roth and Goldsmith-Thomas, Lederman and Lopez's producing partner Simon Fields also will serve as executive producers on the project.

This is the second time that ABC and Roth are taking a stab at a series adaptation of "Maid," which grossed $93.8 million at the domestic box office. They developed a script with a different writer during the 2004-05 development season.

On ABC, "Maid" could be a suitable companion for the network's dramedy "Ugly Betty," which also centers on a hardworking young Latina in New York with big dreams.

Series based on features are hot at ABC this summer. The network also is developing a new take on the 1987 hit "The Witches of Eastwick."

"Maid" is the second high-profile project for Hodge in the past few weeks following the sale of a Studio 54-themed drama for Showtime that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are executive producing and Bryan Singer is potentially directing.

"Maid" was packaged by Wma, which reps all parties involved.

Legal reps include Michael Fuller for Hodge, Bob Wallerstein for Lopez, Sam Fischer for Roth and Ryan Nord for Goldsmith-Thomas.

Latest: Jennifer Lopez has denied fans the chance of an in-depth look at her world in her forthcoming reality TV show - as the programme will not feature any aspects of her personal life.

The singer/actress was reported to have given the camera crew licence to follow her while she tries to juggle her music and acting careers with motherhood.

But now the star has insisted the programme, commissioned for U.S. cable channel Tlc, will only cover launch of her new fragrance - and not her home life.

Lopez's manager Simon Fields has revealed that anyone hoping for a glimpse of her life with husband Marc Anthony and their baby twins will be disappointed.

He tells People.com, "The recent show Jennifer Lopez plans to produce for Tlc is not a reality show.

"It's a show that will track the creation, production and eventual launch of a new fragrance. Jennifer will appear in a creative, entrepreneurial capacity and will absolutely not feature her children and family life."...

BERLIN -- Gregory Nava's "Bordertown" is several sprockets short of a real film. It wants to be a thriller, a piece of investigative journalism, a political soapbox and a vehicle for Jennifer Lopez. It serves none of these masters well. There also is something disingenuous about a movie that claims that the media on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border are too afraid or corrupt to expose the hundreds of rapes and murders of Latina factory workers in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico, in recent years when the filmmaker no doubt learned about this tragic situation from countless media stories.

Such wacky thinking pervades a movie that exaggerates and overplays the elements that ripen the melodrama while ignoring a far worse reason for police and institutional failures on the border -- indifference. You can't make a thriller about indifference, of course, so everyone from cops to millionaires are black with evil, while Lopez strides through this hellhole of the western world as the only journalist brave enough to write the truth.

Just as "Trade", which debuted last month at the Sundance Film Festival, turned the global sex slave trade into an excuse for a thriller with Kevin Kline coming to the rescue of a single girl, "Bordertown" trivializes a very real issue in a hokey, unconvincing and ludicrous suspenser with Lopez as the rescuer.

Theatrical prospects are limited to a quick payoff that capitalizes on Lopez and Antonio Banderas' names.

When a Chicago newspaper editor (Martin Sheen) assigns his most ambitious reporter, Lauren Lopez), to report on the dead and missing women in Juarez, Lauren complains, "Who gives a shit about Mexico?" At that moment, you just know the story will capture her heart and get her back to her roots. But who knew that getting back to her roots meant dying her blonde hair black?

Supposedly speaking little Spanish, Lauren tries to hook up with ex-lover and colleague Diaz (Banderas), now the editor of a Juarez rag. He tells her to get lost but, wouldn't you know it, Lauren walks out his door and immediately spots the one girl every cop, criminal and reporter is looking for -- Eva Maya Zapata), a factory worker, who survived a rape and murder attempt. Lauren's got a source! But before she and Diaz can interview Eva, the police cart Diaz off, leaving Lauren to hide Eva.

There's virtually nowhere to hide because screenwriter-director Nava has decided these killings go all the way up to the heads of multinational corporations and scions of the richest families in Juarez. So everyone is out to get Eva. Even the head of a women's rights group, Teresa (Sonia Braga), who does shelter Eva, isn't too sympathetic to her plight.

Nava then confuses journalists with movie private eyes. In the course of her "reporting," Lauren makes herself the target for the next attack, seduces a CEO and gets into two fights to the death. At one point, her lover-boy CEO brags that he buys politicians on both sides of the border. Wouldn't you think an experienced reporter would love to use that quote? Not our girl Lauren.

When she finally does file a story, it contains not one quote, fact or piece of evidence; it's simply an editorial. When her editor kills the story -- not for sloppy journalism, as he should, but because of cowardice -- she flies back to Mexico a born-again crusading reporter.

The story is replete with plot holes, but the most egregious is the central issue of whether little Eva can and will testify against her attacker. If she doesn't, he walks free. No one in the movie seems to have noticed the guy attacked Lauren, too. What prevents her from testifying?

Cinematographer Reynaldo Villalobos does get the grit of the bordertown scene in his jumpy camera lens. Nighttime shots blare a riot of vibrant colors as the dusty town turns into a giant sex emporium. Good thing a Latino made this movie, though: A white director would stand accused of the worst sort of stereotypes about Mexican males, rich or poor.

BORDERTOWN

Capitol Films

Credits:

Screenwriter-director: Gregory Nava

Producers: Gregory Nava, Simon Fields, David Bergstein

Executive producers: Cary Epstein, Tracee Stanley Newell, Barbara Martinez Jitner, Fred Ulrich

Director of photography: Reynaldo Villalobos

Production designer: Miguel Angel Alvarez

Music: Graeme Revell

Costume designer: Elizabeth Beraldo

Editor: Padraic McKinley

Cast:

Lauren Adrian: Jennifer Lopez

Diaz: Antonio Banderas

Eva: Maya Zapata

Teresa: Sonia Braga

George Morgan: Martin Sheen

Aris: Rene Rivera

Juan Diego Boto: Marco Antonio Salamanca

Elena: Kate del Castillo

Running time -- 112 minutes

No MPAA rating...

TORONTO -- The downward spiral for the main characters in El Cantante begins in the first scenes, so all director Leon Ichaso can do to distract you from the depressing story of salsa king Hector Lavoe is put as much exuberance into the musical performances as in the drug highs. Thus Ichaso fills his movie with so many chart-busting hits, El Cantante almost feels like a party film. Unfortunately, the music is as irresistible as the tired story of a musician succumbing to substance abuse is resistible. What can you do with a character whose own wife admits that the greater he becomes as an artist, the deeper he sinks as a human being?

Real-life husband and wife Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez provide the real chemistry -- albeit the combustible kind -- as Lavoe and his wife of 20 years, Puchi. And Anthony's re-recordings of Lavoe's classics bring great energy to the movie. Even so, El Cantante may struggle to attract an audience beyond fans of the music and of the stars who re-create the tragedy behind such happy songs.

The framing device in the screenplay Ichaso wrote with David Darmstaedter and Todd Anthony Bello is an interview, shot in black and white, given by Puchi some time after her husband's death. Indeed, it is a ghost story because, as she sadly laughs, just about everyone is dead except her.

Hector Perez, as Lavoe was known before his record label renamed him, came to the isle of Manhattan from the isle of Puerto Rico intent on conquering the music world. According to Puchi, this proves all too easy. Record producers quickly recognize his talent in small clubs. They pair him with trombonist Willie Colon (John Ortiz) and set the duo out to "cook up" a stew of rumba, mambo, jazz, merengue and plena called salsa.

Hector and Puchi see each other around at Puerto Rican clubs and parties, and soon one thing leads to another. It takes a few years and a son for her to pin him down to marriage. By then she is his unofficial manager, only she cannot manage their offstage lives.

Both become druggies, only he is much worse. What the movie never makes clear is to what degree Puchi was Hector's enabler when it came to substance abuse. She warns him against drugs, in between hits, which is not the best anti-drug message you can deliver.

The movie keeps you at arm's length from its characters, possibly because the filmmakers don't understand them, either. The couple fights over the wrong things as drugs eat away at their bodies and souls. A son, Tito, is seen at various ages, but you get no idea of what family life may be like for the Lavoes. Or if such a thing exists at all.

The movie offers up pat, simplistic reasons for such self-destructive behavior -- a father's rejection, rough patches in a tumultuous marriage -- but they don't wash. Hector can clearly see what is happening to him and to those around him he holds dear.

Anthony and Lopez (who is one of the film's producers) are thoroughly convincing as a couple that cannot live with or without one another. He is a soothing, romantic singer whose songs capture the intoxicating island fever of good times and bracing tropical breezes. She is hot, tough and determined, a devastating combination of brains and beauty.

Even the movie skips the last five years of Lavoe's life, choosing to end with his failed suicide attempt rather than dwell on a slow death from AIDS. Along the way, the film catches glimpses of the heady days of salsa in the '70s as well as the decline of that musical craze the next decade. However, footage from Lavoe's funeral in New York in 1993 demonstrates that thousands still adored the man and his music.

EL CANTANTE

Picturehouse

A Nuyorican Prods./R-Caro Prods. production in association with Union Square Works

Credits:

Director: Leon Ichaso

Screenwriters: Leon Ichaso, David Darmstaedter, Todd Anthony Bello

Producers: Julie Caro, Jennifer Lopez, Simon Fields, David Maldonado

Director of photography: Claudio Chea

Production designer: Sharon Lomofsky

Costume designer: Sandra Hernandez

Co-producer: Margo Myers

Music: Andres Levin

Editor: David Tedeschi

Cast:

Hector Lavoe: Marc Anthony

Puchi: Jennifer Lopez

Willie Colon: John Ortiz

Eddie: Manny Perez

Papo: Antone Pagan

Ralph: Vincent Laresca

No MPAA rating

Running time -- 116 minutes...

Jenny from the block is moving to a new neighborhood. Dallas dropout Jennifer Lopez has announced that she and producing partner Simon Fields will team up with FX for the SoCal-based series "Echo Park". The half-hour show takes a humorous look at the gentrified Los Angeles neighborhood, which has become a blend of yuppie, Latino and young hipster cultures. Lopez and Fields will executive produce through their production company Nuyorican Productions with Ian Edelman set to pen the pilot.

Jennifer Lopez is bringing her Moves to MTV, which has given the green light to her reality series revolving around the lives of dancers working to make it in the business (HR 11/16). As previously reported, Lopez is executive producing Moves with Simon Fields, a partner in her production company, Nuyorican. She also played an integral role in selecting and auditioning the dancers and will make cameo appearances throughout the season. Six dancers were chosen for the eight-episode series, which is scheduled to premiere in the fourth quarter. Moves will follow the dancers and tell their interconnected stories as they work to achieve their dreams, showcasing such aspects as their struggle to pay rent to the excitement of dancing for 30,000 screaming fans. Rod Aissa and Jesse Ignjatovic also are executive producing. Matt Anderson is co-executive producing, as are Maurissa Tancharoen and Kevin Tancharoen.

Jennifer Lopez is bringing her Moves to MTV, which has given the green light to her reality series revolving around the lives of dancers working to make it in the business (HR 11/16). As previously reported, Lopez is executive producing Moves with Simon Fields, a partner in her Production Company, Nuyorican. She also played an integral role in selecting and auditioning the dancers and will make cameo appearances throughout the season. Six dancers were chosen for the eight-episode series, which is scheduled to premiere in the fourth quarter. Moves will follow the dancers and tell their interconnected stories as they work to achieve their dreams, showcasing such aspects as their struggle to pay rent to the excitement of dancing for 30,000 screaming fans. Rod Aissa and Jesse Ignjatovic also are executive producing. Matt Anderson is co-executive producing, as are Maurissa Tancharoen and Kevin Tancharoen.

Sony BMG Music Entertainment has acquired the rights to Reggaeton, an original screenplay by Albert Lyon. The project will be produced by Sony BMG in conjunction with Jennifer Lopez's Nuyorican Prods. through Sony BMG Film. The feature will be the first produced by the music company's film division. Sony BMG Film was established in the summer with the appointment of Sofia Sondervan as senior vp feature films. Reggaeton will be produced by Lopez and Simon Fields for Nuyorican and by Sondervan. Nuyorican head of development Janet Sales brought the project to Sony BMG Film. The deal was negotiated by Andrew Ross on behalf of Sony BMG, Bob Wallerstein for Nuyorican and Matt Leipzig and Jordan Bayer at Original Artists for Leon.

Could Jennifer Lopez be getting back to her dancing roots? Sources said that her production company, Nuyorican Prods., is in discussions with MTV to produce an untitled music reality series project that follows the lives of several dancers in Los Angeles who are following in Lopez's footsteps trying to make it in the business. Lopez, a former Fly Girl dancer on Fox's early '90s comedy series In Living Color, is said to be executive producing with Simon Fields, a partner in Lopez's company, while Maurissa and Kevin Tancharoen are co-executive producing. ICM, which packaged the show, reps Lopez and her company along with the Tancharoens.