WILMER VALDERRAMA JOINS CAST OF ROBERT RODRIGUEZ’S HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED

‘FROM DUSK TILL DAWN: THE SERIES’ PREMIERING ON EL REY NETWORK EARLY NEXT YEAR

 

Pictured Above: Wilmer Valderrama

 

El Rey Network Debuts Nationally December 2013

New York and Austin, TX – November 25, 2013 – Wilmer Valderrama (That ‘70s Show, To Whom It May Concern) has been cast as enigmatic crime lord Carlos, in El Rey Network's highly anticipated supernatural crime saga, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.” Based on Robert Rodriguez's cult classic film of the same name, the hour-long series will premiere on El Rey Network in Q1 2014, debuting as the first scripted original series on the new genre-busting cable network.

Valderrama joins the previously announced D.J. Cotrona (Dear John, G.I. Joe: Retaliation) who plays Seth Gecko; Zane Holtz (Holes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) as Richie Gecko; Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera, Sons of Anarchy) who plays Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez, a new character created for the series; Don Johnson (Django Unchained, Nash Bridges) who joins in a recurring role as Sheriff Earl McGraw; Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The X-Files) as Jacob Fuller; Madison Davenport (Save Me, Shameless) as Kate Fuller; Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, Ender’s Game, Incredible Crew) as Scott Fuller and Eiza González (Lola: Érase Una Vez) as Santánico Pandemonium.

Born in Miami, actor and producer Wilmer Valderrama is best known to TV audiences as the likeable character Fez in the long running FOX series, That ‘70s Show. Valderrama, who just completed work on Manu Boyer-directed independent feature, To Whom It May Concern, announced an overall first-look deal last month with Lionsgate and the Mexican media company Televisa. Under the pact, Valderrama will develop content for the Hispanic market including feature film projects to star in and produce for Pantelion, and produce scripted and reality television projects for South Shore. In addition to That ‘70s Show, Valderrama has also produced, directed, written, hosted & acted in a number of projects, most recently seen in: NBC's Awake, Larry Crowne, The Dry Land, From Prada to Nada, and heard as 'Manny' on Disney's Handy Manny. Valderrama also serves as the spokesperson for CHCI, Environmental Media Association board member, and co-chair for VotoLatino.

Valderamma is repped by UTA and Silver Lining Entertainment and attorney Michael Gendler.

Based on the thrill-ride film, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” is a supernatural crime saga centered around bank robber, Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard “Richie” Gecko (Holtz), who are wanted by the FBI and Texas Rangers Earl McGraw (Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) after a bank heist left several people dead. While on the run to Mexico, Seth and Richie encounter former minister Jacob Fuller (Patrick) and his family, whom they take hostage.  Using the family RV to cross the border, chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club that is populated by vampires.  They are forced to fight until dawn in order to get out alive. The series deepens the tone of the film, adds new characters and backstories and expands the Mesoamerican mythology behind the creatures inside the club.   

The 10-episode serialized drama will serve as the first original scripted series to air on the new genre-busting cable network.  El Rey Network will debut nationally in December 2013.

“From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” is an El Rey Network production in association with FactoryMade Ventures. Executive producers are Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Coto (who is also showrunner) and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.  Diego Gutierrez is writer and co-executive producer.  Robert Rodriguez will direct the first two installments. Miramax, producing studio and distributor of the original film, is distributing the series internationally in all territories with the exception of Canada, China, India and UK.

# # #

About El Rey Network:

El Rey Network, launching December 2013, is a new 24-hour English-language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. The network's action-packed content is anchored by original signature dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action, horror/sci-fi and next-generation sports. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, it will serve as a platform for diverse and riveting storytelling. El Rey Network awakens the renegade in everyone and has been created for viewers who won't check a box. El Rey Network LLC (www.elreynetwork.com) is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Communications Inc. 

About FactoryMade Ventures:

FactoryMade is an incubator for entertainment businesses and was founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.  The company builds IP-based franchises and production and distribution platforms by leveraging its strong ties to the Hollywood creative community and partnering with global brands and investors. Its ventures include El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros Studios with Robert Rodriguez and a joint venture with the leading Mexican wrestling league Lucha Libre AAA. In addition to working with corporate partners such as Telefonica and JCP, they previously spearheaded the creation of Hasbro’s film business (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Battleship) and television business (Hasbro TV Studios, the Hub Network with Discovery Communications), and developed retail’s first integrated digital gaming and commerce platform with HSN (HSN Arcade).