Wilmer Valderrama is setting up shop at Lionsgate, entering an overall deal with the studio and partner Televisa USA's Pantelion Films and South Shore TV.
Under the agreement, Valderrama joins a current roster of Latino talent that includes George Lopez and Zoe Saldana. He'll develop films to produce and star in and produce scripted and unscripted TV projects.
“Wilmer is a versatile acting and producing talent with strong crossover appeal to mainstream U.S. and Latino audiences,” said Pantelion CEO and Televisa USA managing director Paul Presburger. “This deal is part of our strategy of continuing to build a roster of Latino talent who will produce and star in mainstream commercial films and TV series that incorporate Latino characters and themes, and resonate with Latino audiences. The success of Pantelion’s Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish–language film ever in the U.S., underscores how large that audience can be.”
Perhaps best known for his work on That 70s Show, Valderrama's most recent acting credits include turns on Awake, Suburgatory and Raising Hope.
“We’re delighted to expand our relationship with Wilmer, one of the stars of Pantelion’s first film, From Prada to Nada,” added Lionsgate TV Group chairman Kevin Beggs. “Lionsgate has proven adept at creating TV programming and films for specific demographic audiences, and Wilmer joins a roster of Latino talent that already includes George Lopez and Zoe, Cisely and Marel Saldana, and positions us to deliver original, compelling and commercially exciting films and TV shows to the Latino audience in the U.S.”
Just last week, Lionsgate entered a similar pact with Kevin James.
Valderrama is repped by UTA and Silver Lining Entertainment.
