Buzzing in the trades today is the news that Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle) and Diego Luna (Rogue One: Star Wars Story), have inked a first-look deal with Amazon. And, these two actors are also executive producers on Amazon’s upcoming limited series Untitled Cortes and Moctezuma Project.

Bernal and Luna will create and produce content for Amazon Studios to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. These two Mexican mega film titans also recently announced they’ve launched a new production company in Mexico, La Corriente del Golfo, an indie company for cinematic, theatrical, and television productions and an array of community-oriented projects.

We are delighted and grateful at La Corriente del Golfo for our first-look deal with Amazon Studios,” said Bernal. “This provides an opportunity for us and for talent in Latin America to create ambitious and interesting projects.”

Amazon Studios and Amblin Televison are bringing the four-hour epic drama, The Untitled Cortes and Moctezuma Project, to the forefront. The drama maps the inexorable march and eventual clash between Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II– an event that led to the annihilation of an empire and tragic downfall of a civilization that took centuries to build. It was destroyed in less than two years.

We are very excited to work hand in hand with Amazon, as this will allow us to reach new audiences and to tell stories that represent us and reflect our realities,” said Luna.

The limited series stars Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), who also serves as executive producer. Written by Academy Award-winner Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List) and based on the Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday) screenplay.

Bardem, Bernal, and Luna will executive produce alongside Zaillian, Kirk Douglas (Spartacus), Grant Hill (The Tree of Life), and co-Presidents of Amblin Television Darryl Frank (The Americans) and Justin Falvey (The Americans).

Vernon Sanders, Co-Head of Television, Amazon Studios said, “We are incredibly excited to expand Amazon Studios’ relationship with the multitalented team of Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. Their talent, creativity, and global perspective will undoubtedly result in even more compelling content for our Amazon Prime Video customers.”

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For The Love Of Runs March 7 Through March 17, 2019

Casting is set for Theatre of NOTE’s production of For The Love Of (or, the roller derby play), which Center Theatre Group is remounting at the Kirk Douglas Theatre as part of the third annual Block Party: Celebrating Los Angeles Theatre. For The Love Of will begin previews March 7, open March 9 and continue through March 17.

Written by Gina Femia and directed by Rhonda Kohl, the play follows Joy and Michelle, long-term partners who find their lives turned upside down when Joy joins a roller derby team called the Brooklyn Scallywags. Joy becomes close with the star of the team, Lizzie Lightning, and must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to follow her heart.

For The Love Of follows Joy and Michelle, long-term partners who find their lives turned upside down when Joy joins a roller derby team called the Brooklyn Scallywags. Joy becomes close with the star of the team, Lizzie Lightning, and must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to follow her heart.

With an all-female cast, creative and design team, For The Love Of has “a cultural makeup that we feel represents greater L.A.,” said Theatre of NOTE Artistic Management Committee Member Alexis DeLaRosa.

The all female cast includes: Crystal Diaz, Elinor Gunn, Liesel Hanson, Faith Imafidon, Cindy Lin, Nadia Marina, Lynn Odell, Alina Phelan, Briana Price, Nicole Gabriella Scipione, Yolanda Snowball, Jenny Soo, Nancy Stone and Tania Verafield.

The design team includes scenic design by Eli Smith, lighting design by Rose Malone, costumes by Vicki Conrad and sound design by Gillian Moon. The production stage manager is Brooke Baldwin.

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