(MENAFN- Arab Times) America Ferrera and Vera Farmiga will co-star in Ricky Gervais' Netflix original film "Special Correspondents," alongside the comedian and previously announced Eric Bana. Kelly Macdonald, Kevin Pollak, RaÃl Castillo and Benjamin Bratt round out the ensemble, which was revealed in the first cast photo, released by Netflix Friday.
Gervais wrote and is directing the satirical comedy flick for Netflix, in which he'll also star.
Bana stars as a struggling New York-based radio journalist whose arrogance and lavish lifestyle hinder his career. With his job on the line, he fakes front line war reports from his hideout above a Spanish restaurant in the city.
"Special Correspondents" hails from Bron Studios and Unanimous Entertainment. Gervais, Chris Coen, Aaron L. Gilbert, Manuel Munz and Larry Sanitsky will produce.
Principal photography began May 19 in Toronto, and will wrap in New York City on July 3. "Special Correspondents" is set to be released on Netflix in 2016.
Farmiga stars in A&E's critically-acclaimed thriller "Bates Motel." Next up, Ferrera will star in NBC's upcoming comedy series "Superstore," expected to bow midseason.
3pas Studios, the Santa Monica-based production shingle run by Mexican helmer-thesp Eugenio Derbez and former Pantelion Films production chief Ben Odell, has acquired an untitled original comedy script about an aging Latin lover for Derbez to topline and direct.
Both he and Odell will produce the pic, written by Chris Spain and Jon Zack, under 3pas Studio's first look deal with Pantelion Films, the joint venture between Lionsgate and Mexican media giant Televisa. Details of the storyline are under wraps, but it is thought to have franchise potential for the shingle, which focuses on Spanish and English-language films for US Latino and crossover auds. "I was doubled over laughing in the pitch; the Latin lover is such an iconic character," said Derbez. "We are very excited to add this to our slate." "We love Zack and Spain; they bring the humor and the heart that is the embodiment of our brand. And it's a perfect vehicle for Eugenio," said Odell.
3pas inked a first-look deal in August 2014 with Pantelion Films, which released Derbez's breakout hit, "Instructions Not Included," which grossed $44.5 million, making it the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the USPic grossed another $55 million overseas.
In addition to other projects, 3pas is in development on a remake of 2006 French comedy "The Valet," which grossed $29.4 million worldwide.
Zack and Spain are repped by Paradigm and Principato Young.
Sundance Selects has acquired the North American rights to the Adam Pally-Sarah Burns romantic comedy "Slow Learners," two months after its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Variety has learned exclusively. Sundance Selects will release the film day-and-date on Aug. 19 in theaters and on VOD.
Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce directed the film from a screenplay by Matt Serword in which a high school guidance counselor and his friend and co-worker decide to forgo their vanilla personas and use drugs and alcohol to become more interesting people. Reid Scott, Catherine Reitman, Mary Grill, Marceline Hugot, Kate Flannery, Bobby Moynihan, Cecily Strong and Kevin Dunn also star.
Producers are Tommy Joyner, Jamie Lokoff, Brian O'Connor and Tammy Tiehel-Stedman.
Sundance Selects previously released Argott and Joyce's "The Last Days Here," while sister label IFC Films previously released Argott's "The Art of the Steal."
Pally is known for his work on "The Mindy Project." Burns stars in the upcoming "Grandma" alongside Lily Tomlin.
The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco for Sundance Selects/IFC Films with XYZ Films and Submarine Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
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