The number of film franchises being turned into TV franchises alludes me. I get that TV is incredibly rich, powerful and diverse at the moment but that is down to one thing – it’s not film! Stories and characters are able to develop and grow over time rather than trying to fit it into 90 minutes or follow the summer trend to be financially viable up against big hitters like Avengers.
When I heard that the El Ray network, an English speaking network launched by Robert Rodriguez targeting Latino audiences is developing a “From Dusk Till Dawn” series which would exclusively follow the plot line of the first film whilst creating a new history and lore I was slightly confused. “From Dusk Till Dawn” worked because the plot was a surprise. It wasn’t building up to a vampire stakeout, it was genuinely something that got in the way of a very brutal gangster story.
Robert Patrick, star of the so-so (at best) sequel is set to return to vampire concept playing the role Jacob Fuller (played by Harvey Keitel in the movie). He joins Madison Davenport (“Shameless”) as Kate Fuller, Brandon Soo Hoo (“Tropic Thunder”) as Scott Fuller, and Eiza Gonzalez (“Lola: Erase Una Vez”) as Santanico Pandemonium.
New York and Austin, TX – November 15, 2013 – On the heels of last week’s start of production in Austin, El Rey Network today announced the newest cast members of the highly-anticipated, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” premiering in Q1 2014 on the new English-language cable network. Created in association with FactoryMade Ventures and created and executive produced by network founder and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, the supernatural crime saga (based on the cult classic film of the same name) will feature 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. 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.
Eiza González recreates the role of Santánico Pandemonium, credited for launching Salma Hayek’s film career. Robert Patrick portrays Jacob Fuller, father to Kate Fuller (Davenport) and Scott Fuller (Soo Hoo), who are held hostage by main characters, Seth and Richie Gecko and find themselves along for the ride of their life. They join 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, and Don Johnson (Django Unchained, Nash Bridges) who joins in a recurring role as Sheriff Earl McGraw.
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.
Robert Patrick has worked with some of the top actors and directors in his field for the last 20 years. His breakthrough role came as the legendary T-1000 in Terminator 2 and since then, he has worked on iconic films and television shows including Die Hard 2, Wayne’s World, Last Action Hero, Fire in the Sky, Cop Land, The Faculty, Walk the Line, Bridge to Terabithia, Spy Kids, Flags of Our Fathers and on the television hits Sons of Anarchy, The Sopranos, The Outer Limits, Elvis, The Unit and The X-Files. He was seen this past season as a series regular on HBO’s True Blood and this past summer in the Radius/Weinstein feature Lovelace opposite Sharon Stone and Amanda Seyfried. Recent films include Universal Picture’s Identity Thief with Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman, Warner Bros.’ Gangster Squad and Trouble With the Curve opposite Clint Eastwood. Patrick also recently wrapped filming on the feature films Endless Love and The Road Within. In October 2012, Robert once again participated in the 29th Annual Love Ride-serving as Honorary Grand Marshal alongside Peter Fonda in the longest running motorcycle charity event in the world. This year’s event benefited the USO. He is also the Charter Holder of Chapter 101 of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club-Chapter 101 a non-profit group of motorcycle enthusiasts who raise money for Veterans and disabled Vets. Boozefighters Motorcycle Club is one of the oldest active and prestigious motorcycle clubs in the World and the only recognized by the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee with a permanent display. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Barbara and their two children.
Eiza González is a Mexican singer, songwriter and actress. The 23-year-old actress will co-star in the upcoming Adrian Cervantes-directed comedy, All Hail the Squash Blossom Queen and can next be seen in Casi Treinta (Almost Thirty), directed by Alejandro Sugich. She has starred in numerous television series, including the hit Lola: Érase Una Vez (Lola: Once Upon a Time) and Nickelodeon’s Suena Conmigo (Dream with Me). Eiza recorded five albums for these two series, as well as two other albums as a solo artist. She is signed with Universal Music. Most recently, she starred in Amores Verdaderos (True Loves), drawing 7.6 million viewers to the finale, on Univision. Her voiceover credits include DreamWorks’ The Croods and Twentieth Century Fox’s Alvin and the Chipmunks and Horton Hears a Who! She has appeared on hundreds of magazine covers, including last month’s Glamour Mexico, this month’s GQ Mexico, and next January’s Cosmopolitan Mexico. Eiza is managed by Glenda Reyna of GR & EG Artist Management. She is represented by CAA.
At the young age of sixteen, Madison Davenport is already an industry veteran, having acted professionally since the age of seven. She just wrapped production on Darren Aronofsky’s biblical epic Noah, where she shares the screen with Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson and Anthony Hopkins. Paramount will release the film in 2014. On television, Madison was recently seen on NBC’s Save Me and is also known for her role on the hit Showtime series Shameless in which she delivered a memorable performance as an abused child-bride, the fan favorite character of ‘Ethel.’ She has guest starred on Numb3rs, Bones, ER, CSI, House, the pilot Close to Home, and the TV movie Amish Grace. Her breakout performance as ‘Ruthie’ in the HBO films release Kit Kittridge, the first feature film in the American Girl franchise, garnered her the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in 2009. She was also seen in Lionsgate’s supernatural horror flick The Possession (opposite Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick) which hit #1 at the box office two weekends in a row. Born in Texas, Madison currently resides in LA with her family.
A five time Young Artist Award winner and nominee, 18-year-old Brandon Soo Hoo began his career at the age of 10 when he was featured in TV ads for Toys “R” Us, Land Rover and ExxonMobil. The following year, Brandon was featured in Sesame Street and Disney Channel’s What’s the Word. He made his film debut in Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder as Tran, earning him a Young Artist Award. In 2009, Brandon played Young Storm Shadow in G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra, earning him another nomination for a Young Artist Award. That year, he also co-starred in Ellen Gittelsohn’s Chico’s Kidz. Brandon is currently featured in the film Ender’s Game, working alongside Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin and Hailee Steinfeld. In addition, he has been featured in numerous TV series including My Name is Earl, ‘Til Death, Family Guy, Community and Workaholics. Brandon also had a recurring role in Nickelodeon’s Supah Ninjas and starred in Nick Cannon’s sketch comedy series for Cartoon Network, Incredible Crew. Most recently, Brandon co-starred in the Nickelodeon series, Instant Mom and the feature film, Terry the Tomboy, based on Nickelodeon’s popular sketch comedy series, AwesomenessTV. A Tae Kwon Do black belt since the age of 10, Brandon also toured with the martial arts troupe Sideswipe Live in 2009 and 2010. He lives in Los Angeles with his parents and his sister.
“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.
Are you excited for Robert to take another stab at the From Dusk Till Dawn mythos? Or should it remain dead and buried? Comment below.
