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HBO’s original series, Like Water For Chocolate, has begun production on the second and final season.

Based on the Laura Esquivel novel of the same name, the series follows star-crossed lovers Tita (Azul Guaita) and Pedro (Andres Baida), whose romance is thwarted by her family’s traditions, forcing Tita to navigate magic and flavors in the kitchen as she fights for love and embraces her destined path.

HBO reveals that Season 2 “will continue to tell the story of love and struggle, rich in traditional flavors, set during the Mexican Revolution.”

“This will be a season of change and growth for many of our characters, particularly Tita,” said executive producer Salma Hayek Pinault, founder of Ventanarosa Productions, which produces the project. “We are proud to partner with Max and Endemol again for this new season, which will be an intense journey, full of dramatic but also romantic, magical events. I...

The HBO Original series Like Water for Chocolate has begun filming its second season, which will continue to tell the story of love and struggle, rich in traditional flavors, set during the Mexican Revolution.

Based on the celebrated novel by Laura Esquivel, in its first season, the series became the most-watched Latin American content on Max globally and was among the top three most-watched series on the platform during its premiere month.

“Like Water for Chocolate is a series that we are very proud of,” said Mariano César, SVP, General Entertainment and Programming Strategy at Warner Bros. Discovery Latin America and U.S. Hispanic.

“The success of the first season shows how an authentically Mexican story can also resonate with a global audience, deeply connecting with its universe of flavors and passions. This success drives us to take the second season even further, betting on the high quality of its...

Max confirmed today the streaming service has renewed HBO Original series Like Water for Chocolate for a second season. The series has become the most watched Latin American content on Max worldwide and has climbed to rank among the top three most watched series on the platform during its premiere month.

The renewal announcement was made by Salma Hayek Pinault, executive producer of the series, during an event in London where HBO and Max content leaders including Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, and Mariano César, SVP of General Entertainment Content and Programming Strategy for Latin America and Ush, presented top upcoming titles for Max globally.

“We are proud to see the success that Like Water for Chocolate is having on international screens. It is an original Latin American production made with the highest quality standards that characterize HBO series, with an incredibly talented community of local creators and artists,...

And you thought your fritters were magic.

HBO has released the trailer for its latest original series, “Like Water for Chocolate,” an adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s original novel of the same name. There was a 1992 Miramax film adaptation directed by Alfonso Arau, but this is the first time Tita and Pedro’s love story was made for the small screen (though TV’s have gotten pretty big since ’92). The series has been in development for TV since 2017.

In “Like Water for Chocolate”, Tita and Pedro are in love, but Tita’s mother condemns her for the single life. You could do that back then: “Like Water for Chocolate” is set amid the Mexican Revolution, so a bit more than a century ago. But Tita and Pedro aren’t going down without a fight — for Tita, that resistance starts in the kitchen and ends with transformations at the table.

You see,...

The HBO Original series Like Water for Chocolate debuts on Sunday, November 3, on HBO Latino in the U.S. and will be available to stream globally on Max, where the platform is available. New episodes will debut weekly.

An original production from Warner Bros. Discovery, the series is produced by Ventanarosa Productions, Endemol Shine North America, and Endemol Shine Boomdog.

Like Water for Chocolate explores the idea that sometimes traditions can become a prison, an obstacle for love. Tita de la Garza and Pedro Múzquiz are two souls deeply in love yet unable to be together due to entrenched family customs.

The protagonists navigate a world of magical realism and rich flavors as Tita struggles between the destiny imposed on her by her family and her fight for love. Along the way, the audience will witness her greatest refuge: the kitchen.

For Tita, her magical connection to cooking becomes an active resistance against oppression,...

Peacock has released the trailer for “Teacup,” a new horror thriller series from James Wan’s Atomic Monster, which has been adapted by showrunner Ian McCulloch.

Per the official logline, “‘Teacup’ follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive.” Cast members include Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman, Chaske Spencer, Kathy Baker, Boris McGiver, Caleb Dolden, Emilie Bierre and Luciano Leroux.

Executive producers include Wan, Michael Clear and Rob Hackett for Atomic Monster, Francisca X. Hu, Kevin Tancharoen and McCammon. “Teacup” is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The first two episodes of the series, which was inspired by the novel “Stinger” by Robert McCammon, premiere on Peacock Oct. 10, followed by two new episodes every week through Halloween.

Watch the trailer below.

Programming

All 134 episodes of “Suits” are now available to stream via...

Signing on to executive produce “Tótem,” the sophomore feature from writer-director Lila Avilés that was chosen to be Mexico’s submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar, was a no-brainer for Salma Hayek Pinault. “For me, it’s very important to support women, especially if they’re Mexican. And to support talent. And Lila’s talent is rare. It’s special, it’s unique, it’s bold, it’s brave. And also it’s delicate and personal,” said the Academy Award-nominated “Frida” actress during a conversation with IndieWire over Zoom. “I just want the world to feel her through this movie, and to be touched and moved by her talent.”

Premiering at last year’s Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Ecumenical Jury Prize, “Tótem” is a chamber piece centered on seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) observing her family prepare to throw what she begins to understand to be...

Salma Hayek Pinault has joined José Tamez and Siobhan Flynn, her partners in Ventanarosa Productions, as an executive producer on Tótem, writer-director Lila Avilés’ follow-up to her international breakthrough The Chambermaid, which has been shortlisted as Mexico’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar.

Poised for release by Sideshow and Janus Films, the companies behind Eo and Drive My Car, the film is set to open in New York theaters on January 26th. It will unspool in Los Angeles on February 2nd and expand nationwide in the weeks to follow.

Named one of the Top 5 International Films of the Year by the National Board of Review, Tótem is told largely from the perspective of 7-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes), as her aunt (Montserrat Marañón) and extended relatives prepare for the birthday party of the girl’s father (Mateo Garcia). As the hours wear on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded,...

Japanese mystery writer Kōtarō Isaka saw great success with the adaptation of his novel "Maria Beetle," which became the Brad Pitt action flick, "Bullet Train." The highly-stylized film about five international assassins aboard a swiftly-moving bullet train who find out that their missions are connected performed extremely well at the box office, putting the rest of Isaka's bibliography in high demand with Hollywood executives. As was announced today, the next tale from Isaka to get the cinematic treatment is "Seesaw Monster," aka "Shisō Monsutā."

"Seesaw Monster" is a wholly unique tale unrelated to Isaka's "Hitman" trilogy, which includes "Maria Beetle" and "Three Assassins," the latter of which was the source material for the 2015 Japanese revenge thriller film, "Grasshopper." Interestingly, "Shisō Monsutā" is one of Isaka's short story collections, so there are plenty of ways the stories within could be adapted.

While the project is still in its production infancy, here's...

Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek Pinault are teaming up to star in and produce action-comedy “Seesaw Monster.” Netflix acquired the rights to the book by Kotaro Isaka (the author of “Bullet Train”), with Olivia Milch (“Ocean’s Eight”) attached to adapt the screenplay.

While plot details are being kept under wraps, Hathaway and Hayek Pinault will play enemies forced to work together in an action-comedy two-hander.

Joining the pair on the producing side are Akiva Goldsman and Gregory Lessans for Weed Road Pictures, and “Bullet Train” producers Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada for Ctb Inc. Hathway will produce through her Somewhere Pictures banner, while Hayek Pinault will produce on behalf of her Ventanarosa Productions.

Executive producers are Jose Tamez and Siobhan Flynn for Ventanarosa Productions; Adam Shulman and Jonathan Rice for Somewhere Pictures; and Milch.

Hathaway is repped by CAA, Entertainment 360, and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern, Llp. Hayek Pinault’s reps are CAA,...

Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek Pinault are boarding a bullet train for Netflix. The two actors are set to star in and produce a feature adaptation of the novel “Seesaw Monster,” by Kōtarō Isaka, who wrote the novel on which “Bullet Train” was based.

Plot details of the film are under wraps, but Netflix describes the film as an action-comedy that will see Hathaway and Hayek Pinault play rivals forced to work together. The “Seesaw Monster” book was published in Japan in 2019 and has not yet been released in English, so little information about its plot exists online.

News of the project follows the end of the theatrical run for “Bullet Train,” a Sony Pictures adaptation of Isaka’s thriller “Maria Beetle.” The book, the second in the mystery author’s “Hitman” trilogy, focused on a group of assassins attempting to carry out their assignments on the same Japanese bullet train ride.

Netflix has landed the feature film rights to Kotaro Isaka’s novel, “Seesaw Monster.” The film version is set to star Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek Pinault as rivals forced to work together.

Isaka is best known for writing “Maria Beetle,” which was adapted into 2022’s comedic thriller “Bullet Train” starring Brad Pitt. “Seesaw Monster” is not related to the Japanese author’s “Hitman” trilogy, which includes “Maria Beetle” and “Three Assassins,” the inspiration behind the 2015 movie “Grasshopper.”

Plot details for “Seesaw Monster” haven’t been revealed, but Netflix describes the movie as “an action-comedy two-hander” between Hathaway and Hayek Pinault. Olivia Milch, whose credits include writing, directing and producing Netflix’s “Dude” and co-writing “Ocean’s 8,” is penning the screenplay. It’s unclear who will direct the film.

Hathaway and Hayek Pinault will also serve as producers alongside Akiva Goldsman, Gregory Lessans, Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma Terada. Executive producers include Jose Tamez,...

Netflix has landed feature rights to Seesaw Monster — a 2019 book by Kotaro Isaka, whose novel Maria Beetle was recently adapted into the David Leitch actioner Bullet Train for Sony, starring Brad Pitt.

Olivia Milch (Ocean’s Eight) will adapt the screenplay, with Oscar winner Anna Hathaway (Armageddon Time) and Oscar nominee Salma Hayek Pinault (House of Gucci) attached to star. Who will direct is not yet clear.

While Netflix is keeping plot specific under wraps, it has described the film as an action-comedy two-hander that will have Hathaway and Pinault playing rivals forced together. The few descriptions of Seesaw Monster to be found online bill it as a story moving between the Japan of the Showa era and 2050, centered on the relationship between a wife and her mysterious mother-in-law.

Akiva Goldsman and Gregory Lessans will produce for Weed Road Pictures, alongside Pinault for Ventanarosa Productions, Hathaway for Somewhere Pictures and Ryosuke Saegusa...

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Netflix has landed the feature rights for Japanese mystery writer Kōtarō Isaka’s Seesaw Monster, with Olivia Milch writing the novel’s adapted screenplay and Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek Pinault attached to star as well as produce.

Isaka’s earlier novel Maria Beetle, about a perilous train ride of five assassins, was turned into the action film Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt, Brian Tyree Henry and Joey King with Zak Olkewicz writing the screenplay. David Leitch’s thrill ride adaptation for Sony performed well at the domestic box office and internationally.

Details on the Seesaw Monster adaptation are being kept under wraps, but Hathaway and Hayek Pinault will play rivals forced to work together in an action comedy two-hander, according to Netflix. Hayek Pinault has extensive screen credits that include Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Fools Rush In, 54, Frida, Beatriz at Dinner,...

Action-comedy two-hander counts Akiva Goldsman among producers.

Netflix has acquired feature rights to the book Seesaw Monster from Bullet Train author Kōtarō Isaka and has attached Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek Pinault to star and produce.

Olivia Milch, who co-wrote Ocean’s Eight starring Hathaway, will adapt the screenplau. Plot details remain under the proverbial wraps, however the streamer revealed Hathaway and Hayek Pinault will play rivals forced to work together in an action comedy two-hander.

Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and Gregory Lessans are producing for Weed Road Pictures alongside Hayek Pinault for Ventanarosa Productions, Hathaway for Somewhere Pictures,...

Action-comedy two-hander counts Akiva Goldsman among producers.

Netflix has acquired feature rights to the book Seesaw Monster from Bullet Train author Kōtarō Isaka and has attached Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek Pinault to star and produce.

Olivia Milch, who co-wrote Ocean’s Eight starring Hathaway, will adapt the screenplay. Plot details remain under the proverbial wraps, however the streamer revealed Hathaway and Hayek Pinault will play rivals forced to work together in an action comedy two-hander.

Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and Gregory Lessans are producing for Weed Road Pictures alongside Hayek Pinault for Ventanarosa Productions, Hathaway for Somewhere Pictures,...

Salma Hayek’s first project for HBO Max is a comedy where a 40-year-old woman’s boobs start talking to her.

The streaming service is developing an adaptation of Leslie Lehr’s upcoming novel, “A Boob’s Life: How America’s Obsession Shaped Me–and You,” which is due out March 2. The series will be a half-hour comedy about Leslie, “a woman turning 40 and in crisis, whose life gets turned upside down when her boobs start talking to her, forcing her to look at herself in a completely different light.”

Lehr will serve as an executive producer on the project, alongside Hayek and Ventanarosa’s Jose Tamez and Siobhan Flynn. Melissa Oman and Julie R. Snyder will also executive produce under their Wheeler Girl Productions banner. Cynthia Mort, who created HBO’s “Tell Me You Love Me,” will serve as showrunner.

Hayek is under a two-year first-look deal with HBO Max.

Exclusive: Salma Hayek’s Ventanarosa Productions has come on to develop Leslie’s Lehr’s book A Boob’s Life as a series for HBO Max, marking the first project they will develop under their new first-look deal with the company. A Boob’s Life is a half hour comedy about Leslie, a woman turning 40 and in crisis, whose life gets turned upside down when her boobs start talking to her, forcing her to look at herself in a completely different light. The show blows open the reality of life in a female body in a culture that is obsessed with breasts. The series will be based off Lehr’s book A Boob’s Life: How America’s Obsession Shaped Me—and You, which is being released on March 2 by Pegasus Books. Lehr will also serve as an executive producer.

Hayek will executive produce alongside Jose Tamez and Siobhan Flynn under their Ventanarosa Productions banner.

HBO Max announced on Thursday that it has signed a two-year first look deal with Oscar-nominated actress and Golden Globe-winning producer Salma Hayek through her production label, Ventanarosa.

As part of the collaboration, Hayek will first bring projects to HBO Max for potential development. Jose Tamez, President of Ventanarosa, serves as her producing partner and Siobhan Flynn is their head of production and development.

Also Read: 'Scoob!' to Land on HBO Max Next Week

“We are delighted to welcome the exceptionally multitalented powerhouse Salma Hayek and Ventanarosa into the HBO Max family,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max. “Ventanarosa has a history of bringing the most lively and rich stories to life and we are eager to hear all of the wonderful ideas that will be borne out of this partnership,” added Joey Chavez, EVP of original drama for the new streaming service.

“We are...

Salma Hayek has signed a two-year first-look deal with HBO Max. As part of the pact, the actress, producer, director and Oscar nominee will first bring projects to the WarnerMedia-owned streaming service for potential development via her Ventanarosa production company. Jose Tamez, President of Ventanarosa, serves as her producing partner and Siobhan Flynn is their Head of Production & Development.

Tamez and Hayek have worked together for the past 20 years on films such as Frida, nominated for six Oscars including a lead actress nom for Hayek, Annie Award-nominated Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet and Beatriz at Dinner. Together, they produced the Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody Award-winning TV series Ugly Betty, as well as the TV movie In The Time Of The Butterflies.

“We are delighted to welcome the exceptionally multitalented powerhouse Salma Hayek and Ventanarosa into the HBO Max family,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content, HBO Max.

Salma Hayek and her production company, Ventanarosa, have signed a two-year first-look deal with HBO Max.

Under the deal, Hayek will bring projects to HBO Max first for potential development. Jose Tamez, president of Ventanarosa, will serve as her producing partner. Siobhan Flynn is the company’s head of production and development.

“We are thrilled to be joining HBO Max and Warner Media,” Hayek said. “Their team of passionate, talented and open-minded executives are a great support in our mission to make high quality global television that explores and celebrates diversity and inclusivity.”

Hayek is the founder and CEO of Ventanarosa. She is an Academy Award-nominated actress, getting the nod for best actress in 2003 for her role in “Frida.” She is also known for her roles in films like “Beatriz at Dinner,” “As Luck Would Have It,” and “Desperado.”

“Ventanarosa has a history of bringing the most lively and rich...

Salma Hayek is going into business with HBO Max.

The Oscar-nominated actress and producer has signed a two-year, first-look deal with the recently launched streaming platform from WarnerMedia. Under the deal, her company, Ventanarosa, will bring projects to HBO Max first for potential development.

Hayek's producing partner, José Tamez, is president of Ventanarosa. Siobhan Flynn is head of production and development at the company, whose projects include Frida, ABC's Ugly Betty and animated feature The Prophet. 

"We are delighted to welcome the exceptionally multitalented powerhouse Salma Hayek and Ventanarosa into the HBO Max family," said Sarah Aubrey, HBO ...

Leading international sales agency-production-distribution company, FiGa Films, has snagged all worldwide rights to “This is Cristina” (“Ella es Cristina”), the directorial debut of Chilean scribe Gonzalo Maza, who has co-written four of Sebastian Lelio’s films, including his Oscar-winning “A Fantastic Woman” and Berlin Festival winner “Gloria.”

“It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Gonzalo, whose writing we’ve admired so much in the past. He’s got a great future as a director and we’re fortunate to be behind his lovely feature,” said FiGa’s Sandro Fiorin who has already sold it to China’s Beijing Hualu NewMedia.

Produced by Primate Lab, Noise Media and Maza’s Mar Humano, the black and white dramedy revolves around the titular Cristina and her best friend, played by Mariana Derderian and Paloma Salas, who are both in their 30s. After a major bust up between them, Cristina’s life spirals just...