'Instructions Not Included' Creator Eugenio Derbez Joins 'Miracles from Heaven'
To say that writer, director, editor, producer and actor Eugenio Derbez is a jack of all trades would be an understatement.
He's known most recently for his record-breaking box office smash "Instructions Not Included," which became the most successful Spanish-language film ever in the U.S. and worldwide. It also raked in over $100 million.
He's also helmed some of the most popular TV shows on Univision, including "Al Derecho y al Derbez," "XHDRBZ" and "La Familia P.Luche" and launched a TV and film production company, 3Pas Studios, where he has collaborated with Lionsgate and Pantelion Films as well as NBC Universal.
As one of Mexico's most successful U.S. Latino crossovers in the TV and movie biz, Derbez has been praised by Variety as the "#1 most influential Hispanic male in the world" and he recently received a Latino Media Award for Outstanding Achievement. There are no signs that he's slowing down any time soon.
Instead, the master of multi-tasking in cinema has joined the cast of Sony Pictures' upcoming drama "Miracles from Heaven," which is slated for a March 18, 2016 release. Derbez will star opposite "Dallas Buyer's Club" star Jennifer Garner, "Grey's Anatomy" newcomer Martin Henderson, and rapper-turned-actress and talk show host Queen Latifah.
While his TV work has mostly been in comedy and "Instructions Not Included" was considered a dramedy, Derbez will be leaving the laughs behind for this round and will be delving into drama.
"Miracles from Heaven" is based on the amazing and touching true story of the Beam family, whose 10-year-old daughter, Anna (Kylie Rogers), is diagnosed with a rare life-threatening disease. Her illness puts their family's strength and faith to the test. On an endless quest to find a cure, or some form of relief for their ailing child, the family feels helpless until the unthinkable happens. Anna has a different kind of near-death experience in which a miracle happens that will forever change the course of their lives.
The film is written by Randy Brown, directed by Patricia Riggen and produced by Joe Roth, TD Jakes and DeVon Franklin. "Miracles From Heaven" reunites Riggen and Derbez, who co-starred in Riggen's 2008 U.S. breakthrough "Under the Same Moon," which grossed $12.6 million for the Weinstein Company, according to Variety.
Derbez will take on the intense role of Dr. Nurko, the leading pediatric GI doctor in the country who is among a select few who has had success treating the deadly disease. (The role is reportedly inspired by Boston Children's Hospital specialist Dr. Samuel Nurko.)
Derbez added that his character is "an eminent but simpatico U.S.-based Mexican gastroenterologist-pediatrician, who plays games with his child patients to lighten their experience of hospital treatment," he explained while in Marbella, Spain, where he presented at the Platino Awards, Variety adds.
During his acceptance speech for an Outstanding Achievement Award given to him by NALIP, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, Derbez shared his story about coming up as a Mexican in the entertainment biz.
"I've been trying to work in his country for the past 12 years, and it hasn't been easy," said Derbez, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He also seized the moment and took the opportunity to get vocal about Trump with the laughing audience.
"I've dealt with rejection, ignorance and even disrespect to our Latino community. For example, people like Donald Trump, who thinks that every single Latino in this country is Mexican. He thinks that there are just different kinds of Mexicans: Colombian Mexicans, Puerto Rican Mexicans, Dominican Mexicans," he said, THR added.
"[Trump] also claims that all the Mexicans in this country are either drug dealers or rapists," added Derbez. "You're wrong, Mr. Trump. We're honest and hardworking people. And Latinos are also waiters and cooks in all the restaurants in the U.S., so be careful next time you eat in a restaurant because you might need to swallow your words ... and something else."
It seems easy for Derbez to jump right back into comedic material.
Derbez has a degree in Film Directing from the Mexican Institute of Cinematography and Theater, as well as a degree in Acting from Televisa's Acting School, according to his bio. He has also studied and is trained in the arts of Dance, Music and Singing and continues to stay fresh in these areas while in both L.A. and in New York City.
He broke through to English-speaking audiences as a star on the CBS sitcom "¡ROB!" and on Broadway in the play "Latinologues" that ran at the Helen Hayes Theatre.
He's appeared on the big screen in "Sangre de mi Sangre," which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2007, the indie smash hit "Under the Same Moon" ("La Misma Luna"), Adam Sandler's "Jack and Jill," and "Girl in Progress" with Eva Mendes.
He can also be seen opposite Gerard Butler and Ed Harris in "Geostorm," which is directed by writer/producer Dean Devlin ("Independence Day"). He also lends his voice to the character "Rico" in the upcoming animated feature "Underdogs."
Derbez resides in Los Angeles, where he runs his TV and film production company 3Pas Studios.