News

Ryan Wedding, a former Olympian turned alleged drug kingpin, was named to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list today. A $10 million reward was announced for his capture.

In January, Rolling Stone detailed how Wedding went from a snowboarding prodigy who raced for Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics to the top of a drug trafficking empire that allegedly transported as much as $1 billion in cocaine a year from Colombia to Canada.

Wedding has essentially been on the run since 2015, when he was identified by police as “El Chapo’s man” in Canada,...

The HBO documentary Surveilled, an hour-long film directed by Matthew O’Neill and Perri Peltz with Ronan Farrow, examines Pegasus, a spyware created by the Israeli Nso Group.

This software breaks into smartphones, extracts data, and turns on cameras or microphones without detection. Governments use it against criminals, and target journalists, dissidents, and citizens who oppose them. The film shows privacy destruction through technology.

People depend on smartphones daily, yet Surveilled makes clear the impact of digital monitoring. Governments claim spyware keeps society safe from crime, but use these systems to dominate and restrict people, including in democratic countries. The documentary reveals stark facts about personal devices becoming weapons that endanger basic freedoms.

Pegasus: The All-Seeing Eye of a Compromised Age

Pegasus, the spyware shown in Surveilled, works as an attack system, made by the Israeli Nso Group. It breaks into smartphones easily, runs without being seen, takes personal data, reads encrypted messages,...

The hit man called himself Mr. Perfect. He had been given the list. He wanted the easiest one first.

He’d also need a getaway car, a fake ID, and a place to drop the gun.

The man who hired him went by Mero Wero. He said he would take care of all of that, plus any expenses. He suggested they start with the ginger, who lived in Niagara Falls, not too far from Mr. Perfect’s home in Toronto.

“Driveway job,” Mero Wero said. He’d pay $100,000.

The ginger...

Disney+ has released an international trailer for its upcoming original Spanish comedy series “Shared Custody,” directed by “Champions” creator Javier Fesser, which will debut globally on the platform on Jan. 24.

An accomplished filmmaker, Fesser, who makes his TV debut with “Shared Custody,” is best known for creating the Goya-winning and Oscar-submitted heartwarming comedy “Campeones” (“Champions”), adapted in 2023 as the Woody Harelson starrer “Champions.” In 2007, his short film “Binta y la gran idea” was nominated for the live-action short film Oscar. “Shared Custody” marks his series debut.

Over eight episodes, the series will examine the challenges faced by two parents, Cris and Diego, after their separation. The show delves into the complexities of modern co-parenting as the couple strives to maintain a mature, amicable relationship for the sake of their young daughter.

However, financial difficulties force them to move back in with their respective parents, setting the stage for awkward and often humorous family dynamics.

Exclusive: 24, Major League and Far From Heaven star Dennis Haysbert is attached to lead cast in action-drama American Smuggler.

The film will chart the relentless hunt for Craig Petties, an American drug trafficker best known for the criminal empire he led in Memphis while operating in collaboration with Mexico’s infamous drug cartels. Haysbert will play a prominent CIA agent in the film.

The project will hone in on the efforts of Seal Team Six, Delta Force and the Mexican Marines, who painstakingly dismantled an international drug network that plagued communities across North America for decades. The story also brings to light the lesser-known tragedy of children forced to labor in El Chapo’s infamous tunnels, often losing their lives in collapses. Petties was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 at age 36 for his trafficking career and connection to multiple homicides.

The film will be written by Koji Steven Sakai...

Drea de Matteo never was particularly political. Her only partisan statement came via a 2010 music video she directed for Shooter Jenning’s “Summer of Rage” — a not-so-subtle jab at the Bush-Cheney administration’s ever-churning war machine. In 2020, she voted for the first time in her life in the presidential election, casting her ballot for Joe Biden in his bid to replace Donald Trump in the White House. Then, as the Covid pandemic entered its second year, everything came crashing down for “The Sopranos” actress whose Adriana La Cerva provided the sole conscience in a sea of moral degenerates.

“I’m a hippie. I didn’t want to get the vaccine. I wanted to wait it out to see what the outcome was,” she says.

Her family shunned her for being anti-vax. She became persona non grata among the Hollywood set. And her agent, who she considered a friend, dropped her.

One thing became painfully clear during the debate between vice presidential candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Walz: Donald Trump has ruined our expectations of political debates forever.

Where were the wild accusations about canine-eating migrants? The nasty insults and onstage stalking? The not-so-veiled references to penis size? They were nowhere to be found in this event which, yes, was a little bit boring. Instead, there were substantive discussions about real issues and, for the most part, genuine civility between the combatants. You could feel America tuning out about halfway through.

Which is a shame, because it means many people probably missed Walz at his best in the final minutes. The Minnesota governor had a rough start, his obvious nervousness manifest in his overly rushed speaking style, misspoken words and awkward facial expressions. The more telegenic Vance demonstrated his considerable media experience with his smooth delivery and unruffled manner. Not...

Just before dawn on Sept. 24, 2007, a red, white, and blue Gulfstream II fell from the sky over the Yucatán Peninsula.

The private jet had taken off without passengers from Rio Negro, Colombia, for Cancún, Mexico, more than 1,200 miles north, but crossed radar as a suspicious flight, tried to outrun scrambled Mexican military aircraft, and crash-landed.

The fuselage skidded into the jungle and split into three neat segments, and the cockpit rolled upside down, somehow sparing the two pilots, who fled on foot. Mexican commandos captured and arrested them, and from the wreckage,...

Narcos inspired a wave of TV series about the dark and criminal world of drug lords, like Weeds and Breaking Bad. Shows like Narco-Saints, La Reina Del Sur, and Boardwalk Empire offer similar thematic elements and engrossing storytelling. Crime dramas like Gomorrah, El Chapo, and Ozark provide a gritty and realistic look at the drug trade with complex characters.

Thanks to shows like Narcos, audiences have fallen in love with TV series about the dark and criminal world associated with drug lords. Shows with criminals and bad guys as the main characters are nothing new, as The Sopranos was the hottest show on HBO at one time and The Shield brought crooked cops to network TV. However, in the case of Narcos, it was a little different. The bad guys leading the way in this show were all based on real people mafia bosses and drug lords who got rich...

On Sunday August 11 2024, History broadcasts Gangland Chronicles!

The Sinaloa Cartel: The El Chapo Years Season 1 Episode 2 Episode Summary

In the upcoming episode of “Gangland Chronicles,” titled “The Sinaloa Cartel: The El Chapo Years,” viewers will gain an insightful look into the rise of one of the most notorious drug trafficking organizations in history. The episode focuses on the Sinaloa Cartel and its leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, as they set their sights on becoming the world’s largest drug trafficking empire.

El Chapo’s ambitions face significant hurdles from rival groups, particularly the Tijuana Cartel, which challenges their dominance in the drug trade. The episode also highlights the intense pressure from both U.S. and Mexican authorities, who are determined to dismantle the cartel’s operations. As the Sinaloa Cartel expands its reach, the conflict and high-stakes battle with law enforcement and rival cartels intensify, making for a compelling narrative...

The second episode of “Gangland Chronicles,” titled “The Sinaloa Cartel: The El Chapo Years,” promises to be a gripping exploration of one of the most notorious drug trafficking organizations in history. Set to air on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 10:36 Pm on History, this episode dives deep into the rise of the Sinaloa Cartel under the leadership of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Viewers will witness how El Chapo and his organization aimed to dominate the global drug trade. The episode highlights their strategic moves and the ruthless tactics they employed to establish power. However, the journey to the top is not without challenges. The Tijuana Cartel poses a significant threat, leading to a violent rivalry that escalates tensions in the drug world.

Additionally, the episode sheds light on the relentless efforts of both U.S. and Mexican authorities to dismantle the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations. The clash between law enforcement and...

On Wednesday June 12 2024, Vice broadcasts Hells Angels: Kingdom Come!

The Hells Angels, The Mafia, & El Chapo Season 1 Episode 3 Episode Summary

In this episode of “Hells Angels: Kingdom Come,” tensions escalate as a war erupts between the Hells Angels and a formidable enemy. The situation takes a dark turn when the Mafia intervenes, sparking an unexpected alliance with El Chapo. This unholy collaboration sets the stage for a gripping narrative that culminates in a tragic fate for a Hells Angels kingpin.

Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as the power dynamics shift and alliances are tested in the world of organized crime. The intricate web of relationships between these notorious groups unravels, revealing the high stakes involved in their deadly games. As the story unfolds, the audience will witness the consequences of crossing lines and the brutal reality of life within these criminal circles.

With each twist and turn,...

Get ready for a high-octane episode of “Hells Angels: Kingdom Come” with Season 1 Episode 3, titled “The Hells Angels, The Mafia, & El Chapo.” Tune in at 10:00 Pm on Wednesday, June 12th, 2024, on Vice for an intense exploration of the volatile world of motorcycle gangs and organized crime.

In this gripping installment, viewers are thrust into the midst of a violent conflict between the Hells Angels and their adversaries. When war erupts between the rival factions, the Mafia sees an opportunity to assert its influence and intervene in the power struggle. As tensions escalate, an unholy alliance is formed between the Hells Angels, the Mafia, and notorious drug lord El Chapo.

As the stakes rise and the body count mounts, viewers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of danger, betrayal, and intrigue. With each twist and turn, the line between friend and foe becomes increasingly blurred, leading to a deadly showdown...

Everyone knows that former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony charges, and he is currently one of the most talked-about people in the industry. Although Trump is not a member of the entertainment industry – he did appear in several movies and had a reality show of his own – the whole industry is talking about him and his conviction. Although most of them rightfully criticized the former President, there were some who stood behind him, like the Quaid brothers or Jon Voight. One of the most recent additions to the list of celebrities who have commented on Trump is legendary talk show host John Oliver, who said the following (in short): “A New York businessman got into some legal trouble, which was undeniably fun to watch unfold live.”

John Oliver is known as one of the best talk show hosts of all time, and his...

Christmas came early for Jimmy Kimmel, who gleefully responded to Donald Trump’s guilty verdict last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The late-night host opened the show by announcing, “We have a verdict in the case of the people vs. Oj… I mean DJ… Donald John Trump is guilty of 34 felony charges. After seven long weeks, the courtroom is empty and Donald Trump’s diaper is full.”

He explained the New York jury’s relatively quick decision was unanimous, marking the first-ever criminal conviction of an American president. “You do...

Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday addressed Donald Trump’s guilty verdict at the New York hush money trial, announced earlier the same day.

“Weeks of sleep farting all down the drain,” Kimmel joked during the monologue of Jimmy Kimmel Live! “You’ve got to hand it to him, no president has ever been convicted more than Donald Trump. How long before he starts bragging about this?”

After five weeks of testimony, a jury found the former president guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records Thursday afternoon. The trial heard testimony from a former tabloid publisher, a Hollywood fixer, Trump’s former lawyer and a porn star.

“Maybe he isn’t Teflon, maybe he’s one of those sticky traps for rats,” Kimmel continued. “Maybe he’s a wet pocket full of gummy worms.”

Kimmel then played footage of Trump outside the courtroom, where he called the event a “rigged trial...

Film Factory has picked up rights to Luis Gabriel Beristáin’s revenge action thriller “The Gentleman,” a Spain-Mexico co-production starring an international cast led by Golden Globe-winner Ron Pearlman.

Produced by Spanish company Esto También Pasará and Mexican outfit Sdb Films (“The Deal”), shooting on “The Gentleman” is already underway in San Sebastián, Spain, and will run for six weeks. The film is scheduled to be released by Universal in Spain in 2025.

Uruguay’s Juma Fodde penned the film’s screenplay, which is adapted from Carlos Augusto Casas’ Spanish novel “Ya no quedan junglas adodnde regresar.”

“The Gentleman” turns on an aging former U.S. soldier named Theo (Perlman), who spends his days dreaming about better times that are now years behind him. Each week, Theo meets with Olga, a prostitute he pays to talk with him about who he once was and what he might have been under different circumstances.

Can a drug cartel do good? It’s an especially subversive question in North America, where the word “cartel” evokes boundless cruelty. But the Americas hold no monopoly on narco-trafficking supergroups. In fact, the world’s mightiest cartel is entrenched in Southeast Asia’s highlands.

This secretive organization, known as the United Wa State Army, has long dominated Asia’s roaring meth trade. Unlike El Chapo, its leaders aren’t solely focused on profit. Their prime goal is defending the homeland of an indigenous people: the Wa.

In Patrick Winn’s book,...

Prime video’s film, Joshua: Imai Pol Kaka, revolves around a man named Joshua and how his love at first sight has changed him. He meets a lawyer named Kundhavi Chidambaram and decides to leave his old life behind. You see, he has a dark past; he is a contract killer. But he wants a secure future for them, free from violence. But nothing is that simple, right? As luck would have it, life throws challenges at both of them revolving around a drug lord named El Chapo, and Joshua has to go back to killing people to protect Kundhavi. Can he protect her? Let’s find out.

Spoilers Ahead

Why Did Joshua Become Kundhavi’s Bodyguard?

Kundhavi Chidambaram is a renowned lawyer born in Chennai who went to the US and graduated from Harvard, becoming a lawyer in New York. She became so successful that she even appeared...

Sofia Vergara as Griselda in episode 101 of Griselda. Cr. Elizabeth Morris/Netflix © 2023

Following the success of the Narcos franchise, Netflix is diving headfirst back into another biographic series about the drug empire led by Griselda Blanco with Sofia Vergara. The new limited series, consisting of six episodes, is coming to Netflix globally in January 2024. Here’s what you need to know about Griselda.

News of the show first came about in November 2021, with Illuminerdi first reporting that a Narcos spin-off was in development with the same team. Days later, we also reported that the show was in development, and just a day after that, Netflix officially unveiled the title but was keen to stress that “there is no association or crossover between the shows.”

It’s taken a long time for Griselda to come to our screen. It reportedly took Latin World Entertainment eight years for the series to be picked up by a network.

Exclusive: BET Media Group is developing the unscripted series The Twins from Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unit Film & Television and Lionsgate’s Pilgrim Media Group.

The series centers around the Flores brothers, Margarito and Pedro, identical twins who became multi-millionaire, cocaine kingpins by the age of 18 and who would eventually assist in the capture and take-down of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

The Twins will serve as a companion to the award-winning podcast Surviving El Chapo: The Twins Who Brought Down A Drug Lord, which was produced by Lionsgate Sound and G-Unit Audio, and recently released a second season.

Following their arrest, Margarito and Pedro Flores turned their backs on their lucrative drug operation and cooperated with the DEA in exchange for more lenient sentences. Both served 14 years in prison before being released in 2022 to the witness protection program. Margarito Flores continues to walk on the right side of the law.

Peso Pluma is canceling a show in Tijuana, Mexico after he received death threats from an alleged cartel if he chose to perform in the city.

On Wednesday, Peso Pluma’s Doble P Records shared a statement on Instagram revealing that Pluma would no longer be performing in the city “for the safety of everyone involved.” The música Mexicana musician was scheduled to perform at Estadio Caliente on Oct. 14.

“Our objective is to protect the fans and the team. For the safety of everyone involved, we’re canceling our show in Tijuana,...

Noted podcaster 50 Cent and investigative journalist Charlie Webster are back with the second season of their hit show, Surviving El Chapo, which tells the story of two brothers who helped bring down the notorious drug lord.

The show, which premiered last year, is centered around the first-ever interviews with Chicago-born identical twins Pedro (a.k.a. Peter) and Margarito (a.k.a. Jay) Flores, two prominent drug smugglers who managed to work their way into Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s inner circle. Ultimately, however, the Flores brothers found themselves stuck...

Warning: contains major plot spoilers for Top Boy seasons one to four.

Over a decade on from when Top Boy: Summerhouse’s Dushane (Ashley Walters) and Sully’s (Kane Robinson) story first started in 2011 on Channel 4, Top Boy is back on the Summerhouse Estate for its fifth and final season.

The action-packed show has reached new heights since being rebooted on Netflix with the help of Canadian rapper Drake, and a loyal fanbase that didn’t falter during its six-year break. It’s taken full advantage of the larger budget which has seen the show place storylines in locations including Spain and Morocco. But this hasn’t stopped the central action from staying Dushane and Sully’s fight to sell food (drugs) and make p’s (money) on the East London Summerhouse Estate.

After five seasons of betrayals and murders, it can be hard to keep track of what...

Over the past couple of years, Netflix has been plagued by a hit-and-miss trend when it comes to its original fictional shows, but the streaming giant has consistently managed to offer captivating docuseries to its subscribers. Whether it's true-crime tales, educational projects, or behind-the-scenes coverage of sports, the supply has been truly impressive.

Related: 10 Weirdest Netflix Movies

Netflix hasn't shied away from courting controversy either, with the recently released Cleopatra being a good example of that. However, there are a couple of Netflix docuseries that are not only less divisive but also tell wild tales that are complemented by great narration, camera work, and all the relevant interviews.

Tiger King (2020–2021)

Tiger King is perfect proof that milking a story too much is always a bad idea. From an intensive rivalry between the eccentric Joe Exotic and the abrasive Carole Baskin to an unsolved murder mystery, the docuseries' first chapter has...

Gio Benitez is hoping to marry the two jobs he holds for ABC News.

As the Disney unit’s transportation correspondent, he has been close to the recent movement into private space travel. As a newly named co-anchor for the weekend edition of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” he will handle stories that draw out viewers’ emotions and attention. He will continue to handle both roles.

“I’m a space geek,” says Benitez, “and I get to still keep on doing it.”

“I’ll tell you what he’s pitching,” says Simone Swink, the executive producer of ABC’s A.M. flagship. “He wants to be the first civilian and journalist on whatever the first mission to Mars is. That will be our ongoing conversation for the next five years.”

“One thing I love to do is I love to examine the human condition, and there are so many ways...

Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan have been named the new co-anchors of the ABC News program “GMA3: What You Need to Know.”

The pair’s promotion follows the exit of former GMA3 co-anchors Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, who made headlines after news of a romantic relationship surfaced publicly and an investigation was launched by the network. Robach and Holmes were taken off the air in December.

“After several productive conversations with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes about different options, we all agreed it’s best for everyone that they move on from ABC News,” a spokesperson told TheWrap in January. “We recognize their talent and commitment over the years and are thankful for their contributions.”

Also Read:

‘GMA3’ Anchors T.J. Holmes, Amy Robach to Exit ABC After In-Office Romance Investigation

Pilgrim joined ABC News in 2015 as a correspondent based in New York and has also served...

ABC News has found the new anchors for GMA3, the early afternoon spinoff of Good Morning America.

ABC News president Kim Godwin said Thursday that the hour will be led by anchors Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan, joining Dr. Jen Ashton, the chief medical correspondent for ABC News, who has been a fixture on the hour for the past three years.

Morgan and Pilgrim have been among the anchors that have filled in over the last few months.

A former correspondent and anchor for CBS News and some of its local stations, Morgan joined ABC News in December 2022 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. Pilgrim joined ABC News in 2015, and had been a correspondent and anchor for GMA‘s weekend edition.

Gio Benitez, ABC’s transportation correspondent, will join GMA‘s weekend edition as its new co-anchor, anchoring alongside Whit Johnson and Janai Norman.

“I am incredibly proud of the reporting Eva,...

Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan will be the new co-anchors of GMA3: What You Need to Know, which has been without permanent hosts since the exit of Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes.

The network also announced that Gio Benitez would join the Saturday and Sunday editions of Good Morning America as co-anchor, along with Whit Johnson and Janai Norman.

Pilgrim had been co-anchor of GMA on weekends, and Morgan filled in on GMA3 as the network sidelined Robach and Holmes amid revelations that they were in a romantic relationship. As the couple’s affair drew tabloid headlines, ABC News president Kim Godwin mulled what to do about the situation. GMA3 depends on the chemistry between the hosts, and when they were on the air, Robach and Holmes did not address their relationship. The network announced their departure in January.

Jennifer Ashton will continue on GMA3 as chief health and medical correspondent.

As Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg moved toward an indictment of Donald Trump, two predictable camps have formed: His critics are hungry for justice for a lawless operator, and his supporters are furious at what they see as rank political persecution. But there’s a third faction: people who hate everything Trump stands for — but fear that Bragg’s case is far from the strongest option when it comes to holding the former president accountable.

That camp includes some high-powered attorneys in New York City’s vaunted legal community, including...

This post contains spoilers for the 2009 film "Law Abiding Citizen."

F. Gary Gray's 2009 police thriller "Law Abiding Citizen" is a goofy little potboiler with a fun premise. Gerard Butler plays a man named Clyde who witnessed his family murdered. The murderer, thanks to mishandled evidence and an indifferent legal system, received a light sentence. Years later, Clyde sets about an elaborate counter-plan to expose legal corruption and murder all the people who caused him pain. Even after Clyde is apprehended and put into prison, the murders continue on the outside. Jamie Foxx plays the lawyer who attempts to understand Clyde, the nature of his plan, and who his accomplices might be.

The twist at the end of "Law Abiding Citizen" is that Clyde has somehow constructed a series of tunnels leading in and out of his prison's solitary confinement cells. He has been sneaking out of prison in order...

Very few personalities in Hollywood are as controversial as Sean Penn. One of the most gifted actors of his generation, Penn’s also been a lightning rod for controversy, with his often antagonistic relationship with the press and sometimes misguided moves, such as his now infamous interview with drug baron El Chapo. Yet, he’s also a noted humanitarian, participating in rescue efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and being a tireless advocate for Haiti following the 2010 Earthquake. He’s also been an outspoken supporter of Ukrainian president Zelensky.

In this episode of Wtf Happened to this Celebrity, we look at the scope of Sean Penn’s career. We chart his earlier days as perhaps the most talented young actor to emerge in the early eighties, stealing scenes in Taps and later becoming a star thanks to turns in movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, At Close Range,...

Franco Zeffirelli’s son Pippo has hit out at the sexual exploitation lawsuit filed by Romeo and Juliet actors Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey.

The lawsuit filed against Paramount accuses the production company of sexual harassment, fraud, sexual abuse, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

It stems from a Romeo and Juliet nude scene involving Whiting and Hussey, allegedly filmed while they were minors.

The complaint also alleges that late director Franco told the lead actors that the 1968 film wouldn’t include nudity, but ended up going back on his word.

In an interview with The Guardian, Zeffirelli’s son Pippo called the lawsuit “embarrassing” and said that the nude scene at the center of the complaint is “far from pornographic”.

“It is embarrassing to hear that today, 55 years after filming, two elderly actors who owe their notoriety essentially to this film wake up to declare that they have suffered...

After 32 years, Luis Guzmán is setting the record straight: No, he was not in “Ghost.”

The 1990 Academy Award-winning drama starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg, but fans constantly insist that Guzmán was also part of the cast. In fact, it was late actor Rick Aviles whom Guzmán is often mistaken for.

“To this day, you and I could be walking through an airport, a mall — today — and someone would go, ‘Why did you kill Patrick Swayze? What was it like working with Whoopi [Goldberg]?'” Guzmán said during “The Rich Eisen Show.” “If I had a nickel since that began — I would probably own this studio, an island and a couple of private planes. I swear.”

The “Wednesday” actor continued, “I was in Detroit one time, changing planes, and a 90-year-old lady comes up to me: ‘Oh, my god. I loved you in “Ghost.”‘ I felt so bad, and I explained,...

Mexico City-based Endemol Shine Boomdog, a unit of Banijay Americas, has snagged the rights to Carlos Fuentes’ vampire novel “Vlad” and is developing a series based on the bestseller with lauded showrunner J.M. Cravioto attached as both showrunner and executive producer.

Jerry Rodriguez, Endemol Shine Boomdog’s senior VP and head of scripted content, and Clara Machado (“The Followers”) are developing the project for Endemol Shine Boomdog.

Carl Zitelmen (“No Abras la Puerta”) is adapting Fuentes’ novel for television.

Story follows the mythical vampire who arrives in Mexico City in search of the soul of his beloved Mina, reincarnated as a Mexican woman. To his consternation, Vlad finds her inhabiting a progressive liberal who is not impressed at all by him. Having lost touch with the modern world, the 600-year-old predator struggles with panic attacks and blackout episodes, while he satiates his cravings for fresh blood.

“Vlad offers us the...

Exclusive: Jena Malone, Alejandro Edda, Tatanka Means and Michael Rooker are boarding the ensemble cast of Kevin Costner’s epic Western film saga Horizon at Warner Bros/New Line, Deadline has learned.

The foursome join an expanding roster that includes Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jamie Campbell Bower, Luke Wilson and Thomas Haden Church.

Two-time Oscar winner Costner will produce through his Territory Pictures, and direct and star in the period movie which he co-wrote with Jon Baird.

Horizon chronicles a multi-faceted 15-year span of pre- and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West. Experienced through the eyes of many, the epic journey is fraught with peril and intrigue from the constant onslaught of natural elements, to the interactions with the indigenous peoples who lived on the land, and the determination and at many times ruthlessness of those who sought to settle it.

Costner returns to directing for the...

Upon hearing the news that the Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg had pleaded guilty to tax fraud on Thursday, Trevor Noah was stunned during last night’s episode of “The Daily Show” as he began counting just how many present and past Trump allies have now gone to prison.

“Can we just take a moment to appreciate how many people associated with Donald Trump have ended up in prison?” he said. “His lawyer (Michael Cohen), his campaign manager (Paul Manafort), his deputy campaign chairman (Rick Gates), now the chief financial officer of his organization.”

He added: “Usually, you’ve got to run a drug cartel to have this many friends doing hard time. At this point, it’s basically El Chapo and Donald Trump.”

Also Read:

Fallon Comforts Biden for Disappointing Approval Rating Boost: ‘You’re 79, Your Surges Aren’t as Strong’ Anymore (Video)

The late...

Lionsgate shares ticked higher in post-market trading on Thursday after the studio reported that its Starz unit realized a 57 increase in streaming subscribers from the year-ago period, a welcome jump as the company nears a sale or spinoff of the premium cable and pay television network.

Global streaming subscribers for Starz increased to 26.3 million during the three months ending in July, which was a 1.8 million higher from the fourth quarter. The results were a strong indicator that Lionsgate has a good chance of fetching a strong profit if it orchestrates a sale of the unit, or perhaps breaks the entire company into two standalone brands.

“We are pleased to report strong global streaming subscriber growth at Starz, another standout performance from our Television Group and key financial metrics in line with expectations,” said Lionsgate Chief Executive Jon Feltheimer.

Also Read:

Adam Fogelson to Exit STX and Named Vice Chair at...

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has announced a new podcast about the two brothers who helped bring down the notorious drug lord El Chapo.

The rapper is also set to host and produce the podcast tentatively titled Cuate/twin: The Downfall of El Chapo, which 50 Cent originally envisioned as a TV series before opting to team with Lionsgate Sound for the now-audio project.

The podcast will feature the first-ever interviews with Chicago-born identical twins Peter and Jay Flores, two of America’s biggest drug smugglers who somehow trafficked their way...

Lionsgate, the studio behind “John Wick,” “The Hunger Games” and Starz, has entered the podcasting space. The company launched a new division called Lionsgate Sound, which will operate as a full-service podcast production company, handling titles for the studio’s film and television business while also overseeing projects for third-party clients.

Lionsgate Sound will launch with four shows, including a podcast from rapper 50 Cent. It has more than a dozen additional projects in the pipeline.

The current slate includes “Cuate/twin: The Downfall of El Chapo (working title),” hosted and produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his newly established G-Unit Audio; an interview podcast “Playing Dead”; the FBI-focused show “A Nation for Thieves”; and “Died and Survived,” which details near-death experiences. Lionsgate Sound is also producing true-crime thriller “The Lives and Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman” for exclusive distribution by CBC. The podcast from 50 Cent will be exclusively distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network,...

A Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson-hosted and produced show about former Mexican drug lord “El Chapo” is among the first projects set for the launch of Lionsgate’s new podcast division, Lionsgate Sound.

Jackson’s show has the working title “Cuate/twin/: the downfall of El Chapo” and is part of his newly established G-Unit Audio, exclusively distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network.

In “Cuate/twin/: the downfall of El Chapo,” speaking publicly for the first time ever, Chicago-born identical twins Peter and Jay Flores will explore how they became two of the biggest drug traffickers in America, peddling tons of cocaine across the country and eventually become seated at the right hand of El Chapo himself, only to eventually betray him in a desperate attempt to escape.

Also Read:

Adam Fogelson to Exit STX and Named Vice Chair at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group

Three other shows will also launch along with Lionsgate Sound,...

Gangland warfare and a Romeo and Juliet romance with a twist are the main elements of Sky Studios’ first Italian in-house production ‘Blocco 181,’ which is set against the backdrop of a gritty multi-ethnic Milan that has never appeared on screen before.

The eight-episode show – which launches this week on Sky in the U.K. after making a splash in Italy – is lead-directed by London-based Italian director Giuseppe Capotondi, best known for art-heist thriller “The Burnt Orange Heresy” starring Mick Jagger as a shady art collector.

“It’s a dark fable combining crime, romance, sex, and coming-of-age elements,” said Capotondi who besides directing the series, also co-penned the “Blocco 181” screenplay. Capotondi added that, while rooted in reality, the show’s tone “is closer to a graphic novel than to the type of hyperrealistic series [like Gomorrah] that you can expect from Italy.”

Set on a rundown Milan housing estate known as Blocco 181,...

Ahead of Paramount+‘s U.K. launch later this week, the streaming service has announced a slate of seven new international titles, including a French fantasy horror series, a Mexican drama about El Chapo’s teenage beauty queen wife, and a German “hacktivist” thriller starring Saskia Rosendahl The streamer unveiled the slate on Monday, June 20, while also revealing a plan to commission 150 international originals by 2025. This comes after Paramount previously committed to greenlighting 50 international scripted originals in 2022, with titles including Sexy Beast (U.K.), Bosé (Spain), The Chemistry of Death (Germany), Impact (France), and Los Enviados (The Envoys) (Mexico), and many more. Among the newly announced titles is France’s Marie Antoinette Serial Killer, an 8-hour young adult fantasy-horror that follows four American girls on spring break in Paris who find themselves caught up in a mysterious, almost supernatural murder spree. Based on a novel by author Katie Alender, the...

New titles include series about the Circeo massacre and El Chapo’s wife.

US streaming platform Paramount+ has unveiled a seven-strong film and series international slate ahead of its launch in the UK and Ireland later this week (June 22).

The originals will be produced in partnership with Vis, Paramount’s international studio. Paramount+ is aiming to commission 150 international originals by 2025.

New projects are Mexican suspense thriller film One Must Die, about seven people who are kidnapped and suddenly find themselves part of a deadly game. It Is directed by and stars Colombian actor Manolo Cardona, with Spanish actress Maribel Verdú also starring.

As Paramount+ prepares for UK rollout this week and in advance of tonight’s swanky London do, the streamer has greenlit a seven-strong international slate including a French fantasy horror thriller, series on the Circeo Massacre, two shows from Mexico and two from Germany including The Sheikh.

Scroll down for the full slate below as Paramount+ deepens its international push and prepares to unveil the shows at an event with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Jessica Chastain and Gillian Anderson, amongst other A-listers. Paramount+ has taken over London’s West End for the day with a Walk of Fame-esque Walk of Stars, with 50 illuminated stars including Stallone, Anderson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Viola Davis.

Paramount Global plans to commission 150 international originals for Paramount+ within three years

The slate, Paramount+’s second major international roster, includes France’s Marie Antoinette Serial Killer, a fantasy horror thriller about four young American girls who...

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Paramount Global’s streaming service Paramount+ is continuing to invest in original content sourced from international markets, unveiling a slate of seven new titles, mostly series, Monday, that will debut around the world and saying it is planning to commission 150 international originals by 2025.

The new internationally originated programming, including a show about former Mexican drug lord El Chapo’s wife and former American teenage beauty queen — with John Leguizamo producing and starring as El Chapo — will be produced in partnership with Vis, Paramount’s international studio, part of the entertainment conglomerate’s portfolio of studios that spans more than 20 countries.

The slate of originals includes projects from Germany, Italy, France and Mexico. The slate news came ahead of the launch of Paramount+ in the U.K. and Ireland on Wednesday.

The Paramount subscription VOD service previously unveiled an ambitious commitment to greenlighting 50 international...

Exclusive: Director Jacques Audiard will helm Emilia Perez, a comedy that will star Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascón , with talks underway with Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana.

Will provide more details when I get them, but this is creating buzz in the Cannes market. It’s a musical comedy about an El Chapo-type fugitive who can’t get away from the law so has a sex change. Ten years later she misses her children immensely and returns as their aunt. Library Pictures International is financing, and The Veterans will be selling international along with CAA Media Finance, which is also selling North American territories. Gascón is an up and coming Spanish trans actress who has emerged as one to watch and should pop in this musical comedy along the lines of Mrs. Doubtfire.

Tell you more when I know it.

Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the Mexican drug kingpin known as “El Chapo,” was condemned to life in prison plus 30 years in a packed hearing Wednesday morning.

The severity of the crimes for which Loera was convicted mandated a life sentence, rendering the hearing little more than a formality. But as with every step in the case against El Chapo, it passed with great fanfare. Reporters began lining up outside the federal court building in Downtown Brooklyn more than 12 hours before the hearing was set to start.

It had been five months...

El Chapo was naked.

Taking off like a bullet down the pitch-black tunnel, he left his girlfriend, his faithful bodyguard and his maid in the dust as a contingent of Mexican Marines tried to batter down the reinforced steel door to his safe house in Culiacán, in the heart of Guzmán’s empire.

Above ground, the Marines — members of an elite unit renowned for its resistance to the corruption that exists at nearly every level of Mexican law enforcement — frantically searched the safe house, until they came to the master bathroom,...