VANCOUVER, BC and SANTA MONICA, CA – September 5, 2014 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – Mexican actor, director, writer and producer Eugenio Derbez, the star of Pantelion Films’ breakout hit Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S., has signed an exclusive first-look deal with Pantelion Films, the collaboration between next generation global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Mexican media corporation Grupo Televisa, the parties announced today. Derbez, through his newly-launched 3Pas (“tripas”) Studios production company, a partnership with former Pantelion President of Production Benjamin Odell, will focus on Spanish and English-language films targeted at Latino and crossover audiences in the US.
“No one has been able to crack the Hispanic market like Eugenio and, in partnership with Pantelion, I am certain we will continue to build on that success”
“We are thrilled to take our longstanding relationship with Eugenio to the next level,” said Pantelion Films CEO Paul Presburger. “He is a true auteur in every sense of the word, and he has an amazing ability to tap into the shared passions of Latino and American audiences. Teaming up with such an enormous talent cements Pantelion’s status as a leader in producing world-class, quality entertainment for a booming and often underserved Latino community. We look forward to working with Eugenio and our friend and colleague Ben Odell who was instrumental in helping us launch Pantelion.”
“One of the keys to Pantelion’s continued successful evolution is the roster of cross-cultural A-list stars it is assembling,” said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. “Nobody is better able to deliver films reflecting the universal themes that will continue to build Pantelion‘s brand and audience than Eugenio Derbez, an incredible talent who has already generated tremendous momentum for the label with the success of Instructions Not Included.”
Derbez added, “Pantelion and Televisa can reach my core fan base better than anyone and, with the distribution expertise and brand recognition of Lionsgate, I know we can build on the crossover audience that we began to reach with Instructions. I’m very happy to continue my relationship with all of them.”
“Eugenio wanted to name the company 3Pas or tripas, which means ‘guts’ in Spanish,” continued Odell. “That’s where he has made all his career decisions — from the gut — and it has brought him unparalleled success. No one has been able to crack the Hispanic market like Eugenio and, in partnership with Pantelion, I am certain we will continue to build on that success.”
In addition to writing, directing and starring in Pantelion’s 2013 release Instructions Not Included, Derbez’s film credits include Under the Same Moon, another one of the highest-grossing Spanish language films released in the U.S.
Derbez and Odell first worked together on Sangre de Mi Sangre in 2006, starring Derbez, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and for which Odell was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. Odell also produced Pantelion’s 2012 release Girl in Progress, starring Eva Mendes, Patricia Arquette and Derbez, and he is producing Pantelion’s upcoming drama Spare Parts, starring Marisa Tomei, Jamie Lee Curtis and George Lopez, scheduled for release on January 16, 2015.
Derbez is represented by CAA and attorney Howard Abramson of Behr & Abramson, LLP.
About Pantelion
Pantelion Films is the first major Latino Hollywood studio and the new face of Hispanic entertainment. Launched in 2010, Pantelion releases include the breakout hit Instructions Not Included, the recent box office success Cantinflas, which achieved the highest per screen average of any film in nationwide release on its opening weekend, as well as such films as Pulling Strings, Casa de mi Padre and From Prada to Nada.